The Vegetation and Retrogressive Changes of Peat Areas ("Muskegs") in Central Alberta

Abstract
The topography, metereology and popular park-land vegetation of Central Alberta is described. The bogs are upon fine glacial clay in basins between morainic deposits. The surface layers of the clays contain seed and fruits of aquatic plants. The present associations are of the Ledum-Sphagnum-Picea type. The peat, 8-14 ft. deep, shows the succession from low to high moor. Sphagnum now tends to disappear, being replaced by a later succession with a consequent cessation of peat formation. A detailed account is given of the formation of a calcareous lake with an abundant algal flora in the midst of a high moor by the influx of calcareous springs and the consequent destruction of the Sphagnum associations. The acidity or alkalinity of the water varies in this area from pH of the calcareous lake to pH 7.5 of the Carice-tum at one end of the lake, while the sub-climax muskeg which in some places forms the bank of the lake gives a Ph of 4.5. Analyses of the water of this lake and of the clay underlying the muskeg are given. The action of fire on the sub-climax muskegs is discussed and curves of tree growth from different muskegs are given.