Relationships between vegetation type, peat hydraulic conductivity, and water table dynamics in mountain fens

摘要: The ecohydrologic function of fens is characterized by feedbacks between biological and hydrologic processes. Vegetation composition one important factor that both responsive to the site regime and, providing organic material determines peat hydrophysical properties, influences conditions. In this study, we investigated relationship vegetation type soil hydraulic conductivity in fen wetlands within Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. We used ponded infiltration tests estimate saturated near-surface mountain with differing vegetation, including large-sedge dominated Carex aquatilis utriculata, small-sedge Eleocharis quinqueflora, an abundance woody plants mosses. Estimated conductivities were lowest at E. a median value 1.3 x 10(-3) cm s(-1) compared 10(-2) 9.6 s(-1), respectively, fens. These data help explain historical water table observations each fen. quinqueflora-dominated our study area maintain high conditions throughout summer growing season. Other higher-conductivity show more dynamic below ground surface late summer. Copyright (C) 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.