Studies on Southern Pennine Peats: III. The Behaviour of Sphagnum

Abstract

The stratigraphy of southern Pennine peats is outlined and the occurrence of periodic horizontal bands of unhumified Sphagnum in the peat is described. It is possible that these Sphagnum bands represent true recurrence surfaces. Striking peaks in Sphagnum spore counts in the peat are shown to correspond closely with the Sphagnum bands, and these peaks can be subdivided into separate peaks for the different Sphagnum species. The status of S. imbricatum as a peat-former in the southern Pennines in the past is discussed. Recent vegetation changes are examined in the light of documentary and palynological evidence, and it is concluded that Eriophorum vaginatum assumed dominance some time after the 14th century as a result of human interference with the vegetation. The modifications produced resulted in a decline in the frequency of Sphagnum in the vegetation, but the almost total absence of Sphagnum at the present day can probably be ascribed to the atmospheric pollution of the last 150 years.