Decomposition along a bog to rich fen gradient is central Alberta, Canada

The carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) contents and decomposition rates of the aboveground litter were measured in five peatlands (bog, poor fen, open moderately rich fen, wooded moderately rich fen, and lacustrine sedge fen) in central Alberta, Canada, over a period of 2 years. Decay rates and C and N content of the dominant species were measured at each site. Weight losses after 1 and 2 years were negatively correlated with initial and final CIN ratios. Weight losses were positively correlated with initial and final %N, with the fastest weight losses in the species with the highest N content. Rates of decay within sites differed according to litter types, with Carex > Betula > mosses. Decay rates and C and N content were also determined for a standard litter type (Carer lasiocarpa), to make cross-site comparisons. Standard litter weight losses differed between sites after 1 and 2 years of decay. The sites ranked poor fen > wooded-rich fen > bog > open-rich fen > sedge fen in order of greatest to smallest percent weight loss after 2 years. After 1 year, weight loss of the standard litter was negatively correlated with water level and pH-related parameters and positively correlated with total dissolved P. Decomposition was correlated with both substrate quality and environmental parameters, but the former may be more important than the latter in controlling decomposition in these peatlands.