HOW SPHAGNUM BOGS DOWN OTHER PLANTS

Recent research on the organo-chemical composition of Sphagnum and on the fate of its litter has further clarified how this plant builds aci dic, nutrient-poor, cold and anoxic peat bogs. The bog environment hel ps Sphagnum to outcompete other plants for light. Its morphology, anat omy, physiology and composition make it an effective ecosystem enginee r and at the same time benefit the plant in the short term. This may h ave facilitated the evolution of the genus.