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Laggs can develop and be restored inside a raised bog

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Abstract

The lagg is an integral part of the hydrological system of a raised bog and can add significantly to the biological diversity of the ecosystem. Conservation and restoration of raised bogs should therefore involve this transition zone. The ideal situation for conservation is to protect or restore the natural lagg at the outside margin of the bog. However, it is not always possible to restore the lagg where it was historically situated. An analysis of historic maps of a raised bog in British Columbia, Canada, shows that in areas where the outflow of water from the bog has been impeded, lagg plant communities have naturally colonized parts of the bog that were historically open bog. This suggests that it is possible to create the ecohydrological conditions of a lagg in areas that are currently occupied by bog species. Based on this knowledge and the hydrochemical, hydrological, and vegetative characteristics of a regionally-specific lagg reference ecosystem, we describe several lagg restoration options for locations where it is not possible to restore the lagg at the outside margin of the bog.

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Acknowledgements

Thanks to Metro Vancouver for allowing this study to take place in the Burns Bog Ecological Conservancy Area, Blaney Bog Regional Park Reserve, Surrey Bend Regional Park, and Derby Reach Regional Park, and to the City of Delta for allowing research in the Delta Nature Reserve. Field assistance from W. Howie, K. Howie, T. Andrade, A. Danyluk, E. Riddell, K. Houghton, A. Graham, J. Niu, A. Snow, N. Murphy, A. Haulena, and Delta and Metro Vancouver staff is greatly appreciated. Many thanks also to P. Whitfield, R. Hebda, and two anonymous reviewers for feedback that helped to improve this manuscript. Digital vegetation map files were provided by the Canadian Wildlife Service and the BC Environmental Assessment Office. All photographs were taken by S.A.H.

Funding

Environment and Climate Change Canada funded the analysis of water samples. Metro Vancouver Regional Parks funded travel expenses and provided field equipment. The City of Delta provided field equipment. Simon Fraser University provided travel funding and field equipment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Office of Climate Action and Environment, City of Delta, 4500 Clarence Taylor Crescent, Delta, BC, V4K 3E2, Canada

    Sarah A. Howie

  2. Department of Geography, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland

    H. J. van Meerveld

Authors
  1. Sarah A. Howie
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  2. H. J. van Meerveld
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Correspondence to Sarah A. Howie.

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Howie, S.A., van Meerveld, H.J. Laggs can develop and be restored inside a raised bog. Wetlands Ecol Manage 26, 635–649 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-018-9597-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-018-9597-8

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