ABSTRACT: -Peatland development along a climatic gradient in west

CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Abstract

Climatic influences on peatland development at both temporal and spatial scales were studied in five bogs distributed along a gradient from coastal to continental climates in west - central British Columbia. Macrofossil analysis was used to determine the sequence of peat types present during the development of each bog. The bryophyte component of the macrofossil record was also used, with an extensive 'surface' database, to reconstruct pH and height of the peatland surface above the water table throughout each core profile. All peatlands were seen to initiate under climatically controlled conditions. Sites in the continental and transitional climatic regions developed during the Early Holocene Xerothermic Interval while peatlands in the coastal region developed later, by paludification, as temperatures and precipitation increased. Apart from the allogenic, climatic, controls on peat initiation, peatland development closely followed an autogenic successional sequence from minerotrophy towards ombrotrophy. Despite the general autogenic trend, evidence of allogenic factors can be seen. For example, moistening of the climate at approximately 4000 yBP caused a reversion from the autogenic trend, delaying the autogenic successional sequence at the site by approximately 1000 years. From this study it is evident that, temporally, climate has been an important factor in the initiation of peat formation. However, once peatlands have been established, autogenic factors exert a stronger control on peatland development. Spatially, climate is also seen to be an important factor as coastal sites exhibit markedly different development patterns from those in the continental and transitional climate regions.

Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology