Open AccessGrowth pattern and distribution of biomass of Calluna vulgaris on an ombrotrophic peat bog
Author(s) -
Wallèn Bo
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
ecography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.973
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1600-0587
pISSN - 0906-7590
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0587.1987.tb00741.x
Subject(s) - calluna , ombrotrophic , peat , bog , biomass (ecology) , sphagnum , shoot , environmental science , botany , ericaceae , ecology , agronomy , biology
The distribution pattern of Calluna vulgaris on the ombrotrophic peat bog Åkhultmyren, S. Sweden, was investigated. Calluna occurs primarily on hummocks, with its maximum biomass (ca 250 g m −2 above ground, and ca 300 g m −2 below ground) concentrated on hummock tops. Biomass decreased gradually along the hummock‐hollow gradient to a level of ca 5 cm above the water level. This decreasing biomass was correlated with a decrease in the predominant age of the above ground shoots from 6–8 yr to 3–4 yr old shoots. Calluna is characterized by extremely slow diameter growth and biomass increment. There was, however, a poor relation between height above water level and stem thickness, assimilating biomass and total shoot weight, respectively.