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The Mer Bleue peatland is primarily a large ombrotrophic bog located in the Ottawa River Valley, 10 km east of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (45.40º N lat., 75.50º W long.). Mean annual temperature is 6.3ºC ranging from -10.5ºC in January to 21.0ºC in July. Mean annual precipitation is 943 mm, 268 mm of which falls during the summer months (Environment Canada; climate normals). Peat began to form approximately 8500 years ago, but the bog phase began later, about 6400 years ago (Lafleur et al., 2003; Richard, pers. comm.). The peat depth now ranges from 2 m at the edge to >5 m in the middle. Beaver ponds are found at the lagg margin of the bog. The bog is dominated by plant communities comprised primarily of the ericaceous shrubs Chamaedaphne calyculata (L.) Moench, Ledum groenlandicum Oeder, and Kalmia angustifolia L. Clusters of the deciduous shrub Vaccinium myrtilloides Michx. and the tufted sedge Eriophorum vaginatum L. are fairly common across the bog. The most common tree species found in the bog are Larix laricina (Duroi) K. Koch., Betula populifolia Marshall and Picea mariana (Miller) BSP occurring less frequently.The Mer Bleue peatland is primarily a large ombrotrophic bog located in the Ottawa River Valley, 10 km east of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Vegetation IGBP: WET (Permanent Wetlands: Lands with a permanent mixture of water and herbaceous or woody vegetation that cover extensive areas. The vegetation can be present in either salt, brackish, or fresh water). Lat: 45.4094 Lon: -75.5187 Elev(m): 69 |
