Abstract
Sphagnum dominates the moss layer in northern peatlands, but its dominance has decreased while there has been an expansion of other moss genera in some peatlands of NE China since the 1960s. To discover the mechanisms underlying this succession, we performed a four-month reciprocal transplant experiment in Hani Peatland with three Sphagnum species, Sphagnum palustre, S. magellanicum, and S. fuscum and one other moss Polytrichum strictum. Performance of the four mosses and the environmental factors: height above water table (HWT), vascular plant cover and pH, electrical conductivity, base cations, and N and P concentrations in water in the four moss habitats were measured. Biomass production in S. palustre was negatively affected by HWT. Phosphorus had a positive effect on biomass production in S. magellanicum and Polytrichum. None of the environmental factors had any effect on S. fuscum. Overall, the three Sphagnum species deteriorated in P. strictum hummocks, while P. strictum exhibited a wider ecological amplitude and maintained or increased its vigour levels in Sphagnum hummocks. Biomass production in S. palustre and S. magellanicum was negatively affected by P. strictum indicating the competitive ability of P. strictum. Our results suggest that its wide ecological amplitude and competitive ability may explain why P. strictum can expand and replace Sphagnum in some northern peatlands.
Published Version
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