SPHAGNUM MOSSES OF THE SOMMANT PEAT BOG I N HAUTE-SAVOIE (FRANCE)

Beside its very rich boreo-arctic vascular flora, the Sommant peatland of Haute-Savoie (France) comprises an exceptionally high number of pe at mosses namely 18 species; the greatest number of peat mosses ever o bserved in any peatland of the french Alps territory. Two of them, Sph agnum fuscum and Sphagnum majus are amongst the rare boreal elements o f France's bryological flora. Recent disturbances of human origin brin g the exceptional flora of this peatland in jeopardy. The peatland sho uld be given the highest protection status to prevent it from any type of human activity.