Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Ecology of Sphagnum

  • Chapter
Bryophyte Ecology

Abstract

It may be true of men; it is certainly true of Sphagnum. The plants grow at the apex, as do most other mosses. The apex produces initials which develop into branches of determinate growth, though in a few cases (S. cuspidatum var. plumosum for example), the branches may themselves branch. Whilst the branches are increasing in length the internodes of the main stem do not elongate. This results in the branches and attendant leaves forming a compact hemispherical head — the coma or capitulum. Later, after branch growth has finished, the internodes do elongate; it then becomes obvious that the branches are borne in groups (fascicles) on the central stem. Each branch bears 30 to 150 spirally arranged imbricate leaves. These leaves are one cell thick, with the unique and well known differentiation into porose hyaline cells with thickened hoops, and enclosed or chlorophyllose cells. The branches may be spreading or pendent and clasping the stem (Fig. 8.1). The individual leaves live for a year or two, but by that time the growth of branches above has put them into dense shade and they die. The only parts left alive at this distance below the apex seem to be the axillary buds. These usually remain inactive, and eventually die, but if the apex is destroyed, either artificially (for example, by cutting if off) or accidentally (for example, by drought) then one or more lateral buds may begin to grow again from as far as 10 cm below the apex.

I held it truth with him who sings…, That men may rise on stepping stones Of their dead selves to higher things.

Tennyson In Memoriam A.H.H.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 139.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Aaby, B. and Tauber, H. (1975), Boreas, 4, 1–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anschutz, I. and Gessner, F. (1954), Flora, Jena, 141, 178–236.

    Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong, W. (1964), Nature, 204, 801–2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Basilier, K., Granhall, U. and Stenstrom, T-A. (1978), Oikos, 31, 236–46.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bazzaz, F.A. and Harper, J.L. (1976), J. appl. Ecol., 13, 211–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bendz, G.O., Mârtensson, O. and Nilsson, E. (1966), Arkiv für Kemi, 25, 215–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benson-Evans, K. (1964), Bryologist, 67, 431–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bismarck, R. von (1959), Flora, Jena, 148, 23–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boatman, D.J. and Lark, P.M. (1971), New Phytol., 70, 1053–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boatman, D.J. and Tomlinson, R.W. (1973), J. Ecol., 61, 653–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Braithwaite, R. (1880), The Sphagnaceae or Peat Mosses of Europe and North America, Bogue, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brehm, K. (1968), Planta, Berlin, 79, 324–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brehm, K. (1970), Beitr. Biol. Pflanzen, 47, 91–116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brehm, K. (1971), Beitr. Biol. Pflanzen, 47, 287–312.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cavers, F. (1911), New Phytol., 10, 1–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clymo, R.S. (1963), Ann. Bot. N. S., 27, 309–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clymo, R.S. (1965), J. Ecol., 53, 747–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clymo, R.S. (1967), Control of cation concentrations, and in particular of pH, in Sphagnum-dominated communities. In: Chemical Environment in the Aquatic Habitat ( Golterman, H.L. and Clymo, R.S., eds), pp. 273–84. North Holland, Amsterdam.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clymo, R.S. (1970), J. Ecol., 58, 13–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clymo, R.S. (1973), J. Ecol., 61, 849–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clymo, R.S. (1978), A model of peat bog growth. In: Production Ecology of British Moors and Montane Grasslands ( Heals, O.W. and Perkins, D.F., eds), pp. 187–223. Springer, Berlin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clymo, R.S. (1982), Peat. In: Ecosystems of the World, (Gore, A.J.P., ed.), Vol. 4, Mires: Swamp, Fen, Bog and Moor, pp. 159–224. Elsevier, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • Clymo, R.S. and Reddaway, E.J.F. (1971), Hidrobiologia,12,181–92. Reproduced without arbitrary cuts as: Moor House Occasional Papers,No. 3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clymo, R.S. and Reddaway, E.J.F. (1974), J. Ecol., 62, 191–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corbet, S.A. (1973), Field Studies, 3, 801–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coulson, J.C. and Butterfield, J. (1978), J. Ecol., 66, 631–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Damman, A.W.H. (1978), Oikos, 30, 480–95.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dickinson, C.H. and Maggs, G.H. (1974), New Phytol., 73, 1249–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dilks, T.J.K. and Proctor, M.C.F. (1979), New Phytol., 82, 97–114.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Donnan, F.G. (1911), Zeit. Elektrochem., 17, 572–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferguson, P., Lee, J.A. and Bell, J.N.B. (1978), Environ. Pollut., 16, 151–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferguson, P. and Lee, J.A. (1979), New Phytol., 82, 703–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferguson, P. and Lee, J.A. (1980), Environ. Pollut., Ser.A, 21, 59–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flensburg, T. (1965), Acta phytogeog. suec., 50, 159–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flensburg, T. (1967), Acta phytogeog. suec., 51, 1–132.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flensburg, T. and Mahner, N. (1970), Bot. Notiser, 123, 269–99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goode, D.A. (1970), Ecological Studies on the Silver Flowe Nature Reserve. PhD thesis, Univ. Hull.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodman, P.J. and Paton, J.A. (1954), Trans. Br. bryol. Soc., 2, 470.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gorham, E. (1956), J. Ecol., 44, 375–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grace, J. (1970), The Growth-Physiology of Moorland Plants in relation to their Aerial Environment. Ph.D. thesis, Univ. Sheffield.

    Google Scholar 

  • Green, B.H. (1968), J. Ecol., 56, 47–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Green, B.H. and Pearson, M.C. (1968), J. Ecol., 56, 245–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayward, P.M. (1980), Effects of Environment on the Growth of Sphagnum. Ph.D. thesis, Univ. London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayward, P.M. and Clymo, R.S. (1982), Proc. Roy. Soc. B. (in press).

    Google Scholar 

  • Heal, O.W. (1962), Oikos, 13, 35–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heal, O.W., Latter, P.M. and Howson, G. (1978), A study of the rates of decomposition of organic matter, In: Production Ecology of British Moors and Montane Grasslands, ( Heal, O.W. and Perkins, G.F., eds), pp. 136–59. Springer, Berlin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, M.O. (1978), Sphagnopsida. In: The Moss Flora of Britain and Ireland ( Smith, A.J.E., ed.). Cambridge University Press, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hodgman, C.D., Weast, R.C. and Selby, S.M. (1961), Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 43rd edn., Chemical Rubber Co., Cleveland, Ohio.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hooper, C.A. (in press), Oikos.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hulme, P.D. (1976), Developmental and ecological studies on Craigeazle Bog, the Silver Flowe National Nature Reserve, Kirkcudbrightshire. Ph.D. thesis, Univ. Hull.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingram, H.A.P. (1978), J. Soil Sci., 29, 224–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ingram, H.A.P. (1982), Water relations of mires. In: Ecosystems of the World (Gore, A.J.P., ed.), Vol. 4, Mires: Swamp, Bog, Fen and Moore. Elsevier, Amsterdam.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingram, H.A.P., Rycroft, D.W. and Williams, D.J.A. (1974), J. Hydrol., 22, 213–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johansson, L-G. and Linder, S. (1980), Photosynthesis of Sphagnum in different microhabitats on a subarctic mire. In: Ecology of a Subarctic Mire, ( Sonnesson, M., ed.), pp. 181–90. Swedish Natural Science Research Council, Stockholm.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, A. (1960), Trans. Br. bryol. Soc., 3, 725–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kivinen, E., Heikurainen, L. and Pakarinen, P. (1979), Classification of Peat and Peatlands,International Peat Society. Obtainable from I.P.S., V.V.T. Fuel Research Lab., Biologinkiya 3, SF 02150, Espo 15, Finland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lange, B. (1973), Lindbergia, 2, 81–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Malmer, N. (1962a), Op. Bot., 7: 1, 1–322.

    Google Scholar 

  • Malmer, N. (1962b), Op. Bot., 7: 2, 1–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • McVean, D.N. (1959), Ecol., 47, 615–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meisterfeld, R. (1977), Arch. Hydrobiol., 79, 319–356.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, P.D. and Bellamy, D.J. (1974), Peatlands, Elek Science, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris, R.B. (1977), J. Bryol., 9, 387–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mozingo, RN., Klein, P., Zeevi, Y. and Lewis, E.R. (1969), Bryologist, 72, 484–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Newbould, P.J. (1960), J. Ecol., 48, 361–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • NqSrgaard, E. (1951), Oikos, 3, 1–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nyholm, E. (1969), Illustrated Moss Flora of Fennoscandia. II. Musci. Fasc. 6., pp. 647–799. Natural Science Research Council, Stockholm.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olsen, C. (1923), C. R. Tray. Lab. Carlsberg, 15 (1), 1–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Overbeck, F. and Happach, H. (1956), Flora, Jena, 144, 335–402.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pakarinen, P. (1978a), Ann. Bot. Fenn., 15, 15–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pakarinen, P. (1978b), Ann. Bot. Fenn., 15, 287–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pakarinen, P. and Mäkinen, A. (1976), Suo, 27, 77–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pakarinen, P. and Tolonen, K. (1977a), Oikos, 28, 69–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pakarinen, P. and Tolonen, K. (1977b), Suo, 28, 95–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paton, J.A. and Goodman, P.J. (1955), Trans. Br. bryol. Soc., 2, 561–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paul, H. (1908), Mitt, K. Bayer. Mookulturanstalt, 2, 63–117.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paulson, B. (1952), Oikos, 4, 151–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Popp, E. (1962), Int. Rev. ges. Hydrobiol. Hydrograph., 47, 431–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ratcliffe, D.A. and Walker, D. (1958), J. Ecol., 46, 407–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rudolph, H. (1964), Flora, Jena, 155, 250–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rudolph, H. (1968), Planta, 79, 35–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rudolph, H. (1978), Bryophytorum Bibliotheca, 13, 279–309.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruhling, A. and Tyler, G. (1971), J. Appl. Ecol., 8, 497–507.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rycroft, D.W., Williams, D.J.A. and Ingram, H.A.P. (1975), J. Ecol., 63,535–56, 557–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Skene, M. (1915), Ann. Bot., 29, 65–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, R.A.H. and Forrest, G.I. (1978), Field estimates of primary production. In: Production Ecology of British Moors and Montane Grasslands ( Heal, O.W. and Perkins, G.F., eds), pp. 17–37. Springer, Berlin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sonesson, M. (1973), Studies in production and turnover of bryophytes at Stordalen, 1972. In: International Biological Programme–Swedish Tundre Biome Project Progress Report 1972 ( Sonesson, M., ed.), pp. 66–75. Swedish Natural Science Research Council, Stockholm.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sonesson, M., Persson, S., Basilier, K. and Stenström, T.A. (1980), Growth of Sphagnum riparium Angstr. in relation to some environmental factors in the Stordalen mire. In: Ecology of a Subarctic Mire ( Soneswon, M., ed.), pp. 191–207. Swedish Natural Science Research Council, Stockholm.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spearing, A.M. (1972), Bryologist, 75, 154–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stayset, K. (1973), Medd. Norsk. Myrselskap, 4, 153–156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stâlfelt, M.G. (1938), Planta, 27, 30–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tallis, J H. (1959), J. Ecol., 47, 325–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tallis, J H. (1964), J. Ecol., 52, 345–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tallis, J H (1973), J. Ecol., 61, 1–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tansley, A.G. (1939), The British Islands and their Vegetation. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tarras-Wahlberg, N. (1952), Oikos, 4, 166–171.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tattersfield, D.M. (1976), A physiological study of Sphagnum rubellum in relation to microclimate. In: Moor House 17th Annual Progress Report ( Rawes, M. ed. ), p. 23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Theander, O. (1954), Acta Chem. Scand., 8, 989–1000.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tibbets, T.E. (1968), Peat resources of the world. In: Proceedings of the Third International Peat Congress, Quebec 1968 ( Lafleur, C. and Butler, J. eds), pp. 8–22. No publisher. Sponsored by Department of Energy, Mines and Resources, Ottawa, Canada & National Research Council of Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Troughton, J.H. and Sampson, F.B. (1973), Plants. A Scanning Electron Microscope Survey, Wiley, Sydney.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tutschek, R. (1979), Phytochemistry, 18, 1437–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker, D.A. and Walker, P.M. (1961), J. Ecol., 49, 169–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wallén, B. (1980), Oikos, 35, 20–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watt, A.S. (1947), J. Ecol., 35, 1–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, K.T., Thompson, T.G. (1936), Int. Rev. Hydrobiology, 33, 271–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Willis, A.J. (1964), Trans. Br. bryol. Soc., 4, 668–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woodwell, G.M., Whittaker, R.H., Reiners, W.A., Likens, G.E., Delwiche, C.C. and Botkin, D.B. (1978), Science, 199, 141–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. R. S. Clymo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. P. M. Hayward
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Plant Biology, University College of North Wales, Memorial Buildings, Bangor, LL57 2UW, Great Britain

    A. J. E. Smith

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1982 Chapman and Hall

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Clymo, R.S., Hayward, P.M. (1982). The Ecology of Sphagnum . In: Smith, A.J.E. (eds) Bryophyte Ecology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5891-3_8

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5891-3_8

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-009-5893-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-5891-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation