Plants Bog

A bog is a wetland type that accumulates acidic peat, a deposit of dead plant material. Lichens are a principal component of peat in the far north. more...

Home
Bath
Bedding
Furniture
Gardening & Plants
Bird & Wildlife Accessories
Fertilizer, Soil Amendments
Garden Décor
Garden Structures & Fencing
Hand Tools, Gear & Equipment
Other Gardening & Plants
Outdoor Lighting
Pest & Weed Control
Planters, Pots, Window Boxes
Plants, Seeds, Bulbs
Aquatic Plants
Other Plants, Seedlings
Plants Bog
Plants Lotus
Plants Marginal, Shallow
Plants Oxygenating
Plants Water Hyacinth
Plants Water Lilies
Plants, Seedlings
Seeds
Bonsai
Plants, Seedlings
Seeds
Cactus & Succulents
Ferns
Flower Bulbs, Roots, Corms
Amaryllis
Caladium
Crocus
Daffodil
Dahlia
Gladiolus
Hyacinth
Iris
Lily
Mixed Lots
Other Bulbs, Roots, Corms
Peony
Tulip
Flower Plants, Seedlings
Annuals
Biennials
Mixed Perennials
Other Perennials
Perennials
Perennials Brugmansia
Perennials Butterfly...
Perennials Clematis
Perennials Columbine
Perennials Daisy
Perennials Daylily
Perennials Hosta
Perennials Iris
Perennials Lavender
Perennials Phlox
Perennials Sedum
Perennials Violet
Flower Seeds
Annuals
Annuals Alyssum
Annuals Bachelor's Button
Annuals Cosmos
Annuals Marigold
Annuals Mixed Annual Seeds
Annuals Morning Glory
Annuals Petunia
Annuals Poppy
Annuals Sunflower
Annuals Zinnia
Biennials
Mixed Perennials
Other Annual Seeds
Other Perennials
Perennials
Perennials Columbine
Perennials Daisy
Perennials Hibiscus
Perennials Hollyhock
Perennials Hosta
Perennials Lavender
Perennials Lily
Perennials Penstemon
Perennials Poppy
Perennials Primrose
Perennials Purple Coneflower
Groundcovers, Vines
Other
Plants, Seedlings
Seeds
Herbs
Plants, Seedlings
Seeds
Houseplants
African Violets
Bamboo
Begonia
Carnivorous
Other Houseplants
Streptocarpus
Orchids, Tropicals
Plants Banana
Plants Ginger
Plants Orchids
Plants Other
Plants Palms
Plants Plumeria
Plants, Seedlings
Seeds
Seeds Banana
Seeds Othe
Seeds Palm
Seeds Plumeria
Ornamental Grasses
Other
Roses
Shrubs
Plants Azalea
Plants Dogwood
Plants Forsythia
Plants Gardenia
Plants Hydrangea
Plants Lilac
Plants Other
Plants, Seedlings
Seeds
Trees
Evergreen
Fruit, Flowering
Nut
Other Trees
Shade
Vegetables & Fruits
Plants Berries
Plants Other
Plants Peppers
Plants Tomatoes
Plants, Seedlings
Seeds Beans
Seeds Cabbage
Seeds Carrot
Seeds Cucumbers & Squash
Seeds Gourd
Seeds Lettuce
Seeds Melons
Seeds Onion
Seeds Other
Seeds Peas
Seeds Peppers
Seeds Pumpkin
Seeds Tomatoes
Seeds, Bulbs
Publications
Seed Starting, Grow Lights
Home Decor
Lamps, Lighting, Ceiling...
Patio & Grilling
Pools & Spas
Rugs & Carpets

Moisture is provided entirely by precipitation, and for this reason bog waters are acidic and termed ombrotrophic (or cloud-fed), which accounts for their low plant nutrient status. Excess rainfall outflows, with dissolved tannins from the plant matter giving a distinctive tan colour to bog waters.

Distribution and extent

Bogs are widely distributed in cold, temperate climes, mostly in the northern hemisphere (Boreal). The world's largest wetlands are the bogs of the Western Siberian Lowlands in Russia, which cover more than 600,000 square kilometres. Sphagnum bogs were widespread in northern Europe. Ireland was more than 15% bog; Achill Island off Ireland is 87% bog. There are extensive bogs in Canada and Alaska (called muskeg), Scotland (called mosses), Estonia (20% boglands), Finland (26%), and few remained in northern Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, Sweden. There are also bogs in the Falkland Islands. Ombrotrophic wetlands - that is, bogs - are also found in the tropics, with notable areas documented in Kalimantan; these habitats are forested so would be better called swamps. Extensive bogs cover the northern areas of the U.S. states of Minnesota and Michigan, most notably on Isle Royale in Lake Superior. The pocosin of the southeastern United States is like a bog in that it is an acidic wetland but it has its own unusual combination of features. In certain areas such as Ireland and Scotland, coastal bogs are frequently intruded upon by low lying dunes called Machairs.

Bog habitats

Bogs are recognized as a significant habitat type by a number of governmental and conservation agencies. For example, the United Kingdom in its Biodiversity Action Plan establishes bog habitats as a priority for conservation. Bogs are challenging environments for plant life because they are low in nutrients and very acidic. Carnivorous plants have adapted to these conditions by using insects as a nutrient source. The high acidity of bogs and the absorption of water by sphagnum moss reduce the amount of water available for plants. Some bog plants, such as Leatherleaf, have waxy leaves to help retain moisture. Bogs also offer a unique environment for animals. For instance, English bogs give a home to the boghopper beetle and a yellow fly called the hairy canary.

Industrial uses

A bog is a very early stage in the formation of coal deposits. In fact, bogs can catch fire and often sustain long-lasting smouldering blazes, producing smoke and carbon dioxide, thus causing health and environmental problems. After drying, peat is used as a fuel. More than 20% of home heat in Ireland comes from peat, and it is also used for fuel in Finland, Scotland, Germany, and Russia. Russia is the leading producer of peat for fuel at more than 90 million metric tons per year. Ireland's Bord na Móna (peat board) was one of the first companies to mechanically harvest peat.

Read more at Wikipedia.org