wetlands that receive nutrients via direct contact with mineral enriched groundwater. A "poor" fen has very low concentrations of plant nutrients and floristically resembles a bog. A "rich" fen has relatively high concentrations of nutrients, but is still characterized by the accumulation of peat (though this is likely to be primarily from the remains of plants other than sphagnum mosses, such as sedges and brown mosses).
Peatlands dominated by sedges and
A peat-accumulating wetland that receives mineral enriched, aerated water from the surrounding landscape. “Rich†fens are differentiated from “poor†fens by the levels of groundwater-borne calcium available to plants, floristic indicators, and, in some cases, special landforms associated with peatland complexes. Dominant plants include sedges, grasses, and mosses, but shrubs and trees may also be important components of fen communities.
Waterlogged, spongy ground containing alkaline vegetation, characterized by reeds, that develops into peat.
wet peatland with water mainly coming from groundwater; without sphagnum moss.
An area of waterlogged soil that tends to be peaty; fed mainly by upwelling water; low productivity.
a type of wet meadow fed by an alkaline water source, with over 50 percent of the vegetation as herbs and with standing water present
Mire containing neutral- or alkaline-loving plants.
low-lying wet land with grassy vegetation; usually is a transition zone between land and water; "thousands of acres of marshland"; "the fens of eastern England"
Low lying, wet land; covered wholly or partly by shallow, usually stagnant water; typically a fen has peaty soil that ranges from very alkaline to slightly acidic.
A type of wet meadow with highly alkaline soil. Vegetation is primarily composed of herbaceous species, encircled by zones of plants of increasing height and woodiness.
Nutrient rich, organic wetland influenced by mineral-bearing groundwater. Forms a moderately decomposed peat near the top. The surface is usually level and mostly covered with sedges, brown mosses, grasses and willow and birch trees and shrubs.
A unique type of wetland characterized by a saturated substrate dominated by organic material in which acidic conditions (pH 7) prevail. Contrast with a bog, which has a saturated substrate dominated by organic material in which basic conditions (pH 7) prevail.
peat accumulating wetland that has alkaline ground water inflow from mineral soils
created and maintained by the continuous flow of mineralized groundwater
A peatland with slowly moving water above or below the surface
a wetland dominated by sedges in which peat accumulates
a mire (i.e. a peat accumulating wetland) that receives some drainage from mineral soil in the surrounding catchment.
low marshy land, often waterlogged or covered with water.
a wetland area usually calcareous in nature, which has a supply of mineral rich ground water as the primary water source and has accumulated peat.
A wetland fed year-round by nutrient rich water and underlain by peat. Prevailing vegetation varies from low grassy plants to tall shrubs. They are usually found on sloping river valleys.
in a broad sense, wetlands that are predominately supported by groundwater discharge; fens can be segregated by soil chemistry, water chemistry, and vegetation, e.g., calcareous fens.
Flat, low-lying, marshy ground.
low land covered wholly or partly with water unless artificially drained
A peatland that has less acid groundwater with a higher mineral content than a bog.
similar to bogs but with less acidic soil, due to more ground and surface water. Low shrubs prevail, with some orchids and insect-eating plants.
An open wetland system with very high nutrients and productivity that receives some drainage from surrounding mineral soils and usually supports marsh-like vegetation (sedge, rushes, reeds, horsetails, grasses).
a wet peatland with moderate pH, influenced by groundwater, where characteristic plants are sedges, willows, larch and aquatic mosses.
an open or lightly treed wetland habitat, more mineral-rich than a bog due because of available groundwater; typically acidic to alkaline.
A type of peatland that receives mineral-rich inputs of ground or surface water dominated by sedges, other grass-like vegetation, and woody plants such as larch, white cedar, and shrubby cinquefoil.
Similar to a bog, these are peat accumulating wetland areas that receive some drainage from surrounding mineral soils and usually support marshlike vegetation.
A low marshy or flooded area of land.
A sedge or reed dominated peatland, often with some shrubs or small trees, characterized by mineral-rich, aerated waters at or near the surface. Fens with lower calcium content often evolve into Sphagnum lawns and, eventually, acid bogs. An Old English word.
A fen is a wet area rich in peat and other organic matter.
A type of wetland that accumulates peat deposits. Fens are less acidic than bogs, deriving most of their water from groundwater rich in calcium and magnesium. (See: wetlands.)
A fen is a type of wetland fed by alkaline, mineral-rich groundwater and characterized by a distinctive flora. Fens are often confused with bogs, which are fed primarily by rainwater and often inhabited by sphagnum moss, making them acidic. Like other wetlands, fens will ultimately fill in and become a terrestrial community such as a woodland through the process of ecological succession.