MICROBIAL ACTIVITY IN FLORIDA EVERGLADES PEAT.

Populations of viable bacteria and fungi were shown to exist in various strata of peat formed in the Florida Everglades. The populations present were quantitatively and qualitatively different in three distinct peat-forming habitats and at various depths in the peat profiles. Relatively few pieces of peat taken from horizons below the surface were colonized by actively growing fungi or actinomycetes. Direct observation of peat confirmed some features of the cultural studies. Bacteria were mostly present in small groups of two to six cells and most of the hyphae recorded were apparently formed by Actinomycetales rather than the fungi. The significance of these data in relation to possible long-term changes in the peats is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]