EPA Photo: Dave Davis
EPA Photo: Dave Davis
A bog is a type of wetland that is found in areas primarily where glaciers were active. As old glaciers began to melt and move they carved out lakes. These lakes then began to fill with plants. The highly acidic environment hinders decomposition (the breakdown of dead plants and animals by small insects) and the lake begins to fill with a build up of decomposing plant material called peat. A floating mat of peat covers the lake and other plants begin to grow. Common plants found in a bog include: shagnum moss, leatherleaf, labrador-tea, pitcher plants, and evergreen trees. Bogs are generally fed by mineral poor rainwater and have very few species of plants due to the highly acidic environment and low nutrients. The pine barren's frog, northern bog lemming, golden-crowned kinglet and lynx are adapted to living in the acidic habitat.
