Bog Dynamics - Kouchibouguac

Peatlands are valuable ecosystems due to their critical ecological functions, however these sensitive habitats are vulnerable to various anthropogenic (e.g., peat-moss extraction, forestry or land-use practices, hydrological modifications, fragmentation, infrastructures); atmospheric (e.g., acid rain, nitrogen deposition, climate change); and natural (e.g., fire, erosion, invasive vegetation) stressors. The purpose of the bog dynamics monitoring program is to evaluate the condition of several ombrotrophic bogs with water quantity and quality parameters, as well as modifications in vegetation composition in order to detect degradation of these systems over time due to the potential stressors. The methods for this measure involve the monitoring of six stations, each consisting of three vegetation plots placed at set points along a transect located in representative vegetation away from the moat zone; and one surface water well for the measurement of water quantity and quality parameters. Each permanent vegetation plot consists of one shrub quadrat (5m x 5m) and four ground vegetation quadrats (1m x 1m). Vegetation monitoring is conducted once every five years in summer from June to August, and parameters recorded include: species percent cover, structure and relative abundance of key groups, as well as the presence of invasive plants. In addition, automatic data loggers are installed annually in the wells from early spring to late fall and record water table levels twice daily. In terms of water quality, YSI parameters are recorded in situ twice a year, at the same time as logger installation and retrieval. Water samples are also collected from the wells twice a year in spring and fall for laboratory analysis of nutrients.