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Type: Journal Article
Author(s): Brian W. Benscoter; Dale H. Vitt; R. Kelman Wieder
Publication Date: 2005

Peatlands accumulate organic matter as peat because of disproportionate rates of production and decomposition. However, peat accumulation heterogeneity has not been well studied along the microtopographic gradient (hummocks vs. hollows), particularly with respect to fire. Fire affects peatland species composition by differentially removing vegetation and resetting succession, resulting in peat accumulation changes. We examined peat accumulation and microtopography in two historically burned bogs in Alberta, Canada (Sinkhole Lake and Athabasca bog). Measurements of current and historic microtopography were made, and cores were collected along the gradient to identify depth of peat accumulated since fire, as well as to assess properties of the accumulated peat. According to historical fire records, this bog burned in a 1942 fire that affected the entire bog landform resulting in a relatively dense, even-aged Picea mariana stand. Current microtopography is significant and correlated with the immediate postfire surface relief. However, differences in the magnitude of variability between sites suggests that differential rates of growth between features are exacerbated between sites and reflected in bog microtopography. Rates of organic matter accumulation, ranging from 156 to 257 g m-2 year-1, were elevated but comparable to published rates of recent accumulation. Organic matter content and accumulation rate were greater for hummocks than hollows at Athabasca bog, but the difference between features diminished at Sinkhole Lake, suggesting that the pattern and properties of peat accumulation and microtopography postfire may be attributable to differences in site conditions.

Online Links
Citation: Benscoter, Brian W.; Vitt, Dale H.; Wieder, R. Kelman. 2005. Association of postfire peat accumulation and microtopography in boreal bogs. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 35(9):2188-2193.

Cataloging Information

Topics:
Regions:
Keywords:
  • Alberta
  • bogs
  • boreal
  • Canada
  • combustion
  • decomposition
  • fire management
  • fuel accumulation
  • growth rate
  • microclimate
  • microtopography
  • organic matter
  • peat
  • peatlands
  • post-fire recovery
  • site variability
  • soil management
  • sphagnum
  • succession
  • topography
  • vegetation surveys
  • wildfires
Tall Timbers Record Number: 18775Location Status: In-fileCall Number: Journals-CAbstract Status: Okay, Fair use, Reproduced by permission
Record Last Modified:
Record Maintained By: FRAMES Staff (https://www.frames.gov/contact)
FRAMES Record Number: 3534

This bibliographic record was either created or modified by Tall Timbers and is provided without charge to promote research and education in Fire Ecology. The E.V. Komarek Fire Ecology Database is the intellectual property of Tall Timbers.