Special Lake Types
335
ment of tall shrubs and finally bog trees, e.g., black spruce (Picea mariana) and
tamarack (Larix laricina).
Questions
1. The development of Sphagnum mosses occurs over vast areas of the world, but
under rather specific conditions of climate and hydrology. What are some of these
conditions? [See Wetzel (1983), Moore and Bellamy (1974), Glime et al. (1982), and
Gorham (1987).]
2. Sphagnum mosses have been found to invade the bottoms of some recently culturally
acidified lakes in Sweden (Grahn, 1976). What might be responsible for this? What
are some of the possible ecological effects of this type of growth in contrast to
encroachment on the surface?
3. From estimates of the biomass of mosses in the bog system you examined and the
exchange capacity of that moss used in the simple experiment, estimate the cationic
exchange capacity for the bog system. How much external loading of cations would
be required from external inflow to exceed this capacity? [See Gorham et al. (1985).]
4. What factors lead to reduced rates of decomposition of organic matter in bog
ecosystems?
5. Describe the environmental conditions inside the "pitcher" of a pitcher plant. The
larvae of the mosquito, Wyeomyia smithi, are commonly found living in the water
held by leaves of pitcher plants. How do you explain the presence of the Wyeomyia
in the pitchers? Do you think that pitcher plants are carnivorous? Explain.
6. Why do you think that an insectivorous (Sarracenia; Drosera) or carnivorous
(Utricularia) habit may have evolved in bog plants?
References
Anschutz, I. and F. Gessner. 1954. Der lonaustausch bei Torfmossen (Sphagnum). Flora
141: 178-236.
Bott, T.L. 1983. Primary productivity in streams. pp. 29-53. In: G.W. Minshall and J.R. Barnes,
Editors. Stream Ecology: The Testing of General Ecological Theory in Stream Ecosystems.
Plenum, New York.
Brand, T. 1946. Anaerobiosis in Invertebrates. Biodynamica, Normal\dy, MO. 328 pp.
Burgess, J.A. 1975. Organic acid excretion and the impact of Sphagnum mosses on their
environment. Proc. Birmingham Nat. Hist. Phil. Soc. 23: 21-24.
Cline, J.D. 1969. Spectrophotometric determination of hydrogen sulfide in natural waters.
Limnol. Oceanogr. 14: 454-458.
Clymo, R.S. 1963. Ion exchange in Sphagnum and its relation to bog ecology. Ann Bot. N.S.
27: 309-324.
Clymo, R.S. 1967. Control of cation concentrations, and in particular of pH, in Sphagnum
dominated communities. pp. 273-284. In: H.L. Golterman and R.S. Clymo, Editors. Chemical
Environment in the Aquatic Habitat. N.V. Noord-Hollandsche Uitgevers Maatschappij,
Amsterdam.
Culver, D.A. and GJ. Brunskill. 1969. Fayetteville Green Lake, New York. V. Studies of
primary production and zooplankton in a meromictic marsh lake. Limnol. Oceanogr. 14:
862-873.
Frey, D.G. 1955. Liingsee: A history of meromixis. Mem. Ist.ltal. Idrobiol. Suppl. 8: 141-161.
Glime, J.M., R.G. Wetzel, and 8.J. Kennedy. 1982. The effects ofbryophytes on succession from
alkaline marsh to Sphagnum bog. Amer. Midland Nat. 108: 209-223.
335
ment of tall shrubs and finally bog trees, e.g., black spruce (Picea mariana) and
tamarack (Larix laricina).
Questions
1. The development of Sphagnum mosses occurs over vast areas of the world, but
under rather specific conditions of climate and hydrology. What are some of these
conditions? [See Wetzel (1983), Moore and Bellamy (1974), Glime et al. (1982), and
Gorham (1987).]
2. Sphagnum mosses have been found to invade the bottoms of some recently culturally
acidified lakes in Sweden (Grahn, 1976). What might be responsible for this? What
are some of the possible ecological effects of this type of growth in contrast to
encroachment on the surface?
3. From estimates of the biomass of mosses in the bog system you examined and the
exchange capacity of that moss used in the simple experiment, estimate the cationic
exchange capacity for the bog system. How much external loading of cations would
be required from external inflow to exceed this capacity? [See Gorham et al. (1985).]
4. What factors lead to reduced rates of decomposition of organic matter in bog
ecosystems?
5. Describe the environmental conditions inside the "pitcher" of a pitcher plant. The
larvae of the mosquito, Wyeomyia smithi, are commonly found living in the water
held by leaves of pitcher plants. How do you explain the presence of the Wyeomyia
in the pitchers? Do you think that pitcher plants are carnivorous? Explain.
6. Why do you think that an insectivorous (Sarracenia; Drosera) or carnivorous
(Utricularia) habit may have evolved in bog plants?
References
Anschutz, I. and F. Gessner. 1954. Der lonaustausch bei Torfmossen (Sphagnum). Flora
141: 178-236.
Bott, T.L. 1983. Primary productivity in streams. pp. 29-53. In: G.W. Minshall and J.R. Barnes,
Editors. Stream Ecology: The Testing of General Ecological Theory in Stream Ecosystems.
Plenum, New York.
Brand, T. 1946. Anaerobiosis in Invertebrates. Biodynamica, Normal\dy, MO. 328 pp.
Burgess, J.A. 1975. Organic acid excretion and the impact of Sphagnum mosses on their
environment. Proc. Birmingham Nat. Hist. Phil. Soc. 23: 21-24.
Cline, J.D. 1969. Spectrophotometric determination of hydrogen sulfide in natural waters.
Limnol. Oceanogr. 14: 454-458.
Clymo, R.S. 1963. Ion exchange in Sphagnum and its relation to bog ecology. Ann Bot. N.S.
27: 309-324.
Clymo, R.S. 1967. Control of cation concentrations, and in particular of pH, in Sphagnum
dominated communities. pp. 273-284. In: H.L. Golterman and R.S. Clymo, Editors. Chemical
Environment in the Aquatic Habitat. N.V. Noord-Hollandsche Uitgevers Maatschappij,
Amsterdam.
Culver, D.A. and GJ. Brunskill. 1969. Fayetteville Green Lake, New York. V. Studies of
primary production and zooplankton in a meromictic marsh lake. Limnol. Oceanogr. 14:
862-873.
Frey, D.G. 1955. Liingsee: A history of meromixis. Mem. Ist.ltal. Idrobiol. Suppl. 8: 141-161.
Glime, J.M., R.G. Wetzel, and 8.J. Kennedy. 1982. The effects ofbryophytes on succession from
alkaline marsh to Sphagnum bog. Amer. Midland Nat. 108: 209-223.