Plant indicators of pH and water level in peatlands at Candle Lake, Saskatchewan

Abstract

Quantitative data on vegetation, depth to water level, and pH of both moist peat and water from 113 stands of peatland near Candle Lake, Saskatchewan, are used to demonstrate relationships of peatland species to classes of pH and depth to water level, and to recognize plant indicators for the various classes. Weighted average and similarity coefficient techniques are used to estimate pH and depth to water level from total species lists and restricted lists of important species. Total species lists, combined with either weighted average or similarity coefficient techniques, yield indices with the highest correlations with the true values and the lowest standard errors of estimate. Depth to water level and pH are recognized as two important environmental correlates with floristic and vegetational variation in peatlands.