FINE-SCALE PATTERN OF THE DECOMPOSITION, COMPACTION AND ACCUMULATION OF ORGANIC MATTER IN SPHAGNUM HUMMOCKS (NIGULA BOG, SW ESTONIA)

摘要

In 1974-1983 Sphagnum increment was monitored by Clymo's cranked-wire method. Based on the knee position (ca 25 cm from the hummock surface) of the cranked-wire in 2003, the temporal dynamics of the decomposition, consolidation and accumulation of Sphagnum dominated organic matter in a Sphagnum rubellum hummock was studied. The core sampled was separated into different fractions. It was concluded that the decay of Sphagnum lasted only few years, but the consolidation of organic matter may last several decades and continue in the upper part of the catotelm. The atmospheric input of Ca, K and Na, but not of Mg, considerably exceeded their accumulation in the acrotelm.