Year: 1974
Type: article
Abstract: 1. The Sphagnum-bearing plant communities were studied ecologically on Islas San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, San Salvador and Isabela of the Galapagos Islands. Sphagnum cuspidatum Ehrh. var. serrulatum Schlieph. was collected from the first two of the above-mentioned islands (new record for San Cristobal). Sph. eryihrocalyx Hampe was collected from the four islands (new for San Salvador and Isabcla). 2. The Sphagnum-bearing communities were found only in the highland areas that receive abundant precipitation. They can be classified into fen, raised bog and vertical bog. 3. The fens are found in shallow depressions that are filled with water or drenched. It is characterized by Sph. cuspidatum var. serrulatum. 4. The raised bogs are shaped like an upset watchglass, to which the water is supplied only in the form of rain or drizzle. Sph, erythrocalyx is dominant in the vegetation. 5. The vertical bogs are seen on vertical or nearly vertical cliffs that are hit and moistened by droplets or moisture-saturated air driven by the southeast trade wind. The vertical bogs are restricted to the cliffs facing to south and southeast. The bog formation is basically made up by Sph. erythrocalyx. 6. Topographic maps of the Santa Cruz highland and southern Isabela were compiled for the present and future studies of the vegetation.
Authors: Syuzo Itow, Daniel N. Weber
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Life on land
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W565850314