Search

The oribatid species of the taxon Ptyctima were studied in eight habitat types (four forests, three bogs, and one shore). Altogether 19 species were found. The highest number of species (15) was found in marsh forests in southern Finland, and the lowest number (3) in eutrophic fens in northern Finland. Atropacarus striculus was the most common and abundant species in Finland. It was found in each habitat explored, especially abundant on shores, in marsh forests, and pine bogs. Phthiracarus longulus, P. boresetosus, and Steganacarus carinatus occurred in abundance in coniferous forests, especially in the southern and central parts of the country, whereas Rhysotritia ardua was found there only occasionally. Hoploderma pavidus favoured bog habitats in Finland. Protoribotritia oligotricha was new to Finland. It was found in low numbers in the north. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bogs of Colchic Lowland are of great international importance, because they are a foraging site on the route for many migrating and hibernating birds. Productivity of the bogs is very high and they create a large mass of dead organic matter. We made an inventory of the oribatid mites in three types of bogs: peat, cereal-Carex, and Juncus bogs. A total of 47 species were identified, one of which, Punctoribates manzanoensis (Hammer), is new to the fauna of the Caucasus. Cluster analysis indicates that each bog type is characterized by a specific fauna, that shows low similarity to other bog types. In peat bogs the dominant species are Platynothrus peltifer, Nothrus pratensis, Parachipteria punctata, Punctoribates punctum, and Scheloribates laevigatus, in cereal-Carex bogs these are Zetomimus furcatus, Nanhermannia nana, and P. manzanoensis, and in Juncus bogs: Steganacarus personatus, Chamobates kieviensis, and Oppia nitens. The oribatid fauna also includes species known from bogs of northern regions, such as Z. furcatus, O. nitens, and Oppiella neerlandica. The density of oribatid mites varies from 3,250 to 23,500 individuals/m2. In some sites mite density was high, whereas species diversity was low. Such high numbers per oribatid species indicate fast decomposition. Decomposition occurs in absence of many groups of other invertebrates and is mainly driven by oribatid mites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on the characteristics of freshwater swamps, marshes and bogs. As in other types of wetlands, the water in a marsh often fluctuates from season to season, rising during heavy rainfalls and often disappearing during dry periods. But you can usually tell a marsh from other types of freshwater wetlands by the type of vegetation that grows there. Thick clumps of soft-stemmed plants such as grasses, sedges, and rushes are abundant. And cattails, water lilies, smartweeds, arrowheads, and other non-woody marsh plants are also common.

A chapter of the book "Wildflowers of the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains," by Leonard M. Adkins is presented. It describes the Dense Blazing Star (Liatris spicata) with tall spikes of purple-rose blossoms accentuating the other vegetation of the bogs, moist open woods and wet meadows that it inhabits. It mentions that mothers used in creating a tea from the root in treating colicky babies, while a liniment made with alcohol and root was rubbed on sore muscles and backs.

An untitled poem by Paul Celan is presented. First Line: Raised bog, in the shape of; Last Line: the Just.