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Inferring landscape dynamics of bog pools from scaling relationships and spatial patterns
Author(s) -
Belyea Lisa R.,
Lancaster Jill
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.452
H-Index - 181
eISSN - 1365-2745
pISSN - 0022-0477
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2745.2001.00647.x
Subject(s) - peat , ecology , allometry , bog , scaling , sediment , spatial ecology , spatial heterogeneity , physical geography , plateau (mathematics) , habitat , spatial distribution , water flow , environmental science , geology , geography , soil science , biology , geomorphology , mathematical analysis , geometry , mathematics , remote sensing
Summary 1 On many peatlands, a patterned landscape is formed by clusters of open‐water pools enclosed by the peat of surrounding terrestrial and semi‐aquatic habitats. Processes governing development of pool complexes operate over long time‐scales (decades to millennia) that preclude direct observation and necessitate inferential analysis. 2 We used present‐day scaling relationships and spatial patterns of pools to test multiple hypotheses for development and dynamics of a bog pool complex in the Flow Country of northern Scotland. The complex included 641 permanent pools, ranging in surface area from 2.3 to 1930 m 2 . 3 Allometric scaling relationships and spatial analysis showed that the shape and distribution of pools is size‐ (or age‐) dependent. With increasing size, pools became deeper relative to their surroundings and more convoluted and elongated in shape. Pool orientation and bathymetry were related to direction of slope. Small pools were located on the periphery of a focus now occupied by the largest pools. Peat depth varied systematically across the complex, leading to changes in both direction and gradient of water flow. 4 The evidence suggests that pools formed initially where water tended to pond, and subsequently spread outward as the flat plateau expanded. Pools have accumulated sediment more slowly than surrounding areas, and the continued initiation of new pools seems to depend on this spatial variation in rates of sediment accumulation. Our study provides both a fuller understanding of the development of one pool complex, and techniques for comparative analysis of others.