Studia botanica hungarica

Author(s): Nagy, J. & Figeczky, G.
Title: Decay of peat moss cushions on the Lake Bence-tó in the northern part of the Great Hungarian Plain
Year: 1996-1997
Publication date: 1998-10-20
Volume: 27-28
Pages: 163-167.

Abstract: Decay of peat moss cushions has been observed in the Salici cinereae-Sphagnetum recurvi association of the lake Bence-tó (northern part of the Great Hungarian Plain) since 8 September, 1994. During these two years 36% of the investigated cushions died. The two Sphagnum species composing the cushions decay at the same ratio. The critical cushion size on this lake is 31 cm × 29 cm. Smaller cushions than this have hardly any chance to survive. According to our experiences the main reason of this decay is the insufficient water supply. Due to this the contiguous cushions become more and more divided each year and finally dry out completely. The closed shrub layer contributes to the decrease of vaporization of the peat moss layer and the soil surface. If the foliage of Salix cinerea, which forms the shrub layer, is opened, peat moss cushions tend to lose more water, thus have less chance to survive.
Keywords: peat moss cushions, Sphagnum fimbriatum, Sphagnum squarrosum
Subject: botany

Journal: Studia botanica hungarica
Journal abbreviation: Studia bot. hung.
ISSN: 0301-7001
Publisher: Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest
Editor(s): Matskási, I. & Lőkös, L.