475
22.5.6 The Portlethen Moss
The Portlethen Moss (Plate 22.4 ), situated
between 57° 3′ 27.04″ N and 2° 8′ 50.68″ W, is
an acidic bog nature reserve in the coastal
Grampian region in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
22.5.6.1 Topography and Meteorology
Portlethen Moss is considered to be a raised bog,
being situated on higher ground. Elevations
within the moss range from approx. 35 to 60 m
MSL. The entire water composition of the bog
thus has been provided by precipitation with no
source of surface run-off, since the topography
reduces to lower elevations in every direction.
The moss, generally, has cool temperature, high
winds and moderate precipitation, which may
favour formation of an acid bog.
22.5.6.2 Evolution of Portlethen Moss
There are rock outcrops and strewn boulders’ relict from the glacial age at this site. In fact, many
coastal mosses were initiated by the process of
glaciation, which sheared rock formations to a
generally levelled terrain. This description fi ts
the fundamental situation of Portlethen Moss,
where sphagnum would have fl ourished over millennia, thus, further intensifying the soil acidity,
fuelled by organic matter decaying, with little
drainage outlet. A layer of sphagnum moss would
have developed at the benthic level of the bog,
and additional sphagnum layers fl oated in mats
atop the bog. Nevertheless, formation of this
moss had occurred, perhaps, due to extensive sets
of depressions in the underlying rock formations
of Old Red Sandstone.
22.5.6.3 Vegetation
Like other mosses, this wetland area supports a
variety of plant and animal species, even though
it had been subjected to certain development and
Fig. 22.1 Max Bog
Plate 22.3 Moseley Bog
22.5 Wetlands of the United Kingdom (UK)
22.5.6 The Portlethen Moss
The Portlethen Moss (Plate 22.4 ), situated
between 57° 3′ 27.04″ N and 2° 8′ 50.68″ W, is
an acidic bog nature reserve in the coastal
Grampian region in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
22.5.6.1 Topography and Meteorology
Portlethen Moss is considered to be a raised bog,
being situated on higher ground. Elevations
within the moss range from approx. 35 to 60 m
MSL. The entire water composition of the bog
thus has been provided by precipitation with no
source of surface run-off, since the topography
reduces to lower elevations in every direction.
The moss, generally, has cool temperature, high
winds and moderate precipitation, which may
favour formation of an acid bog.
22.5.6.2 Evolution of Portlethen Moss
There are rock outcrops and strewn boulders’ relict from the glacial age at this site. In fact, many
coastal mosses were initiated by the process of
glaciation, which sheared rock formations to a
generally levelled terrain. This description fi ts
the fundamental situation of Portlethen Moss,
where sphagnum would have fl ourished over millennia, thus, further intensifying the soil acidity,
fuelled by organic matter decaying, with little
drainage outlet. A layer of sphagnum moss would
have developed at the benthic level of the bog,
and additional sphagnum layers fl oated in mats
atop the bog. Nevertheless, formation of this
moss had occurred, perhaps, due to extensive sets
of depressions in the underlying rock formations
of Old Red Sandstone.
22.5.6.3 Vegetation
Like other mosses, this wetland area supports a
variety of plant and animal species, even though
it had been subjected to certain development and
Fig. 22.1 Max Bog
Plate 22.3 Moseley Bog
22.5 Wetlands of the United Kingdom (UK)