Title: Insights into Allogenic and Autogenic Controls on the Nature and Distribution of Bog Islands in Patterned Peatlands
Citation: The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Study Site: Moss Spur, Manitoba
Purpose: Large-scale allogenic and autogenic controls of bog genesis are generally well understood, with bogs forming where there is sufficient precipitation, and limited losses to evapotranspiration, groundwater recharge, and lateral runoff (allogenic) to maintain high water tables, which in turn allows for the slow decomposition of organic matter which yields soil hydraulic properties (autogenic) that also help maintain high water tables. Unknown is why small bog islands (1 to < 50,000 m2; <1 to ~ 150 m diameter) found within large fen complexes occur where they do. Were there allogenic factors such as a small depression or mounds in the post-glacial (clay surface) landscape that gave an advantage to early successional ecological processes helping keep, or shed, water sooner than the surrounding landscape?
Abstract: Within a large peatland complex in Manitoba, Canada, detailed measurements of 9 northern plateau bog islands of various sizes (606 m2 to 5609 m2) were made in two orthogonal transects (fen through bog to fen) including: clay elevation, water table, hydraulic conductivity, bulk density, pH and electrical conductivity.
Supplemental Information Summary:
Research:
Further Info: Hildebrand, C., Ketcheson, S. & Whittington, P. Insights into Allogenic and Autogenic Controls on the Nature and Distribution of Bog Islands in Patterned Peatlands. Wetlands 46, 18 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13157-026-02033-y
Status: Complete
Keywords:
peat properties,
hydrology,
Geographical coordinates: North: 50.00, South: 50.00 East: -96.16 West: -96.16
Bounding Temporal Extent: Start Date: 2022-06-02, End
Date: 2022-10-12
