The distribution of the bryophytes and vascular plants within Little Dollar Lake peatland, Mackinac County, Michigan

TitleThe distribution of the bryophytes and vascular plants within Little Dollar Lake peatland, Mackinac County, Michigan
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1999
AuthorsC. Hellquist E, Crow GE
JournalRhodora
Volume101
Pagination46-86
KeywordsWETLANDS
Abstract

Little Dollar Lake peatland, a Sphagnum-dominated poor fen peatland complex, has a flora consisting of 36 bryophyte and 93 vascular plant species. Random, quantitative sampling of 279 one-meter-square quadrats along 13 transects on six peatland mats was analyzed by two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN). Based on interpretation of the TWINSPAN analysis, three vegetation cover types and six constituent vegetation phases were delineated. The three cover types were designated as the Calamagrostis canadensis cover type (lagg habitats), the Chamaedaphne calyculata cover type (peatland mat habitats), and the Chamaedaphne calyculata-Triadenum fraseri cover type (transitional habitats with evidence of terrestrialization). A fourth association, the Potamogeton confervoides-Utricularia geminiscapa cover type, was recognized based on qualitative field observations and consisted of the aquatic vegetation within Little Dollar Lake. Botanical evidence suggests that terrestrialization and small-scale paludification are occurring in some areas of the peatland.