BRYOPHYTE VEGETATION PATTERNS ALONG ENVIRONMENTAL GRADIENTS IN CONTINENTAL BOGS

Regional analysis of bryophyte vegetation in 65 ombrogenous peatlands from across northern Alberta, are classified into eight vegetation gro ups based mainly on the dominance pattern of several Sphagnum species and on the occurrence of lichens. Using canonical correspondence analy sis, bryophyte vegetation patterns are related to shade and dryness gr adients. Surface water chemistry gradients are of less importance. Fou r ombrogenous landforms, two associated with present-day permafrost an d two with areas not having present-day permafrost, are recognized; th ese are related to allogenic (climatic) factors. The landforms are inf luential in determining the shade and dryness of individual peatlands, and these two correlated autogenic factors largely control the bryoph yte vegetation patterns. Surface water chemistry is less variable in c ontinental bogs than in fens, and is less of a factor than in other we tlands.