Development of a Sphagnum Bog on the Floor of a Sandstone Quarry in Northeastern Quarry in Northeastern Ohio

The vegetation and selected ground water characteristics of Silica Sand Quarry Bog, a pioneer bog forming in an abandoned sandstone quarry, were examined. After 70 years of development the bog mat measures 0.75 km in diameter and contains 35 species of vascular plants and 5 species of Sphagnum. Six species of vascular plants from the bog are on Ohio's rare plant list. The herbaceous layer is the best developed stratum and contains 33% of the total plant species. Importance values indicate Betula populifolia, Vaccinium corymbosum, V. macrocarpon and Sphagnum teres to be the dominant species. Vegetational analysis indicates that the Sphagnum mat is expanding by encroaching on the extant vegetation, with Vaccinium macrocarpon and Typha latifolia serving as substrates. Sphagnum teres and S. recurvum are the major consolidating species. Analysis of the groundwater indicates that the community is best classified as a weakly minerotrophic swamp. Silica Sand Quarry provides an opportunity to study early stages of bog succession and development in a minerotrophic system. OHIO J. SCI. 83 (5): 246-253, 1983 INTRODUCTION tensive field surveys conducted by the In his comprehensive survey of peat des e n i o r a u t h o r between 1976 and 1980 posits in Ohio, Dachnowski (1912) estirevealed that fewer than 10 undisturbed mated that approximately 74,000 ha, or a c l d l c b °g s remain (Andreas 1980). about 0.6% of Ohio's land surface was O h i o > s P e a t deposits, like those of West peat. He also noted that "the present bog Virginia and Pennsylvania, provide habiand marsh societies are being destroyed t a t s for r a r e P l a n t species. Approximately so rapidly that some historical record is 142 (24%) of the native plant species listed indeed of primary importance." Since as potentially threatened, threatened or enDachnowski's survey, Ohio's peat deposits dangered on Ohio's list of "Rare Species of have been depleted further by mining, Native Ohio Wild Plants" (Division of draining, clearing, and development. InNatural Areas and Preserves 1982), are located in peatland habitats. Twenty-two of 'Manuscript received 29 October 1982 and in rethe 96 native plant Species presumed exvised form 7 March 1983 (#82-32). tirpated from Ohio formerly grew in bogs. t . i ' l s t. ls t t t t r s t i l t t i t i l i i f ri r i rt ." i i' r , i ' t it l t f rt r i i , r i i , l ri , l t. I ^anuscri vised for 7 arch 1983 (#82-32). senior author bet een 1976 and 198C revealed that fewer than 10 undisturbec acidic bogs re ain ( ndreas 1980). Ohio's peat e sits, li e t se f est ir i i l i , r i itats for rare plant species. pproxi ately ( ) f t e ati e la t s ecies listec t ti ll t r t , t r t r nr i 's list f r i s i ti i il l ts ( i isi i t r l r s r s r s ), r locate i eatla a itats. e t -t i t e ati e la t s ecies res e e tirpated fro hio for erly gre in bogs. OhioJ. Sci. DEVELOPMENT OF A SPHAGNUM BOG 247 Ten endangered bog plant species are currently known from only one locality. Ohio's peat deposits are associated with 2 types of bogs. Fens (calcareous bogs) occur throughout glaciated Ohio. Acidic bogs primarily are confined to the Glaciated Allegheny Plateau and are most frequent in the kame and esker region (Goldthwait et al. 1967). While none have been reported from Ohio, the formation of peat deposits in situations unrelated to glaciation is well documented (Darlington 1943, Rigg and Strausbaugh 1949, Montgomery and Fairbrothers 1963, Swan and Gill 1970, Wieder et al. 1981). This paper describes the formation and vegetation of a pioneer bog that has developed on the floor of a sandstone quarry in less than 70 years.