Sphagnum-dominated peatlands of the hyperoceanic British Columbia coast: patterns in surface water chemistry and vegetation

Vegetation from 133 releves representing a broad spectrum of peatland types from the Prince Rupert area, British Columbia was divided into six releve groups. The 210 taxa found in these releves were classified into six species groups. In general, the species groups are related to one another along shade and height (above water level) gradients. Chemical and physiographic gradients that correlate with the releve distribution pattern on a detrended correspondence analysis ordination are surface water chemistry, shade, and height. In particular, the major gradient influencing the first axis of the ordination is shade. The second axis of the ordination is related to a complex chemical gradient in which hydrogen ion, calcium, and sulphate are the most important components. These chemical changes are influenced by ombrotrophy. Surface water chemistry patterns show enriched ionic conditions on Graham Island (Queen Charlotte Islands), with a decrease inland. Especially important is the decrease of sodium and chlo...