Knowra Sphagnum Sphagnum Sphagnum is a genus of mosses whose water-retaining growth forms peat and creates acidic, nutrient-poor habitats. Its dead tissues decompose slowly and accumulate as peat.
Hyaline cells : Large, dead, porous cells in Sphagnum leaves and stems that store water. These specialized cells let Sphagnum hold far more water than its living tissues alone.
Sphagnum farming : The cultivation of Sphagnum biomass as an alternative to harvesting peat. Cultivated moss can supply horticultural material while leaving natural peat deposits intact.
Bryophyte : A land plant group comprising mosses, liverworts, and hornworts, which lack vascular tissue. Sphagnum belongs to the mosses, one of the major bryophyte lineages.
Peatland : A wetland where waterlogged conditions cause partly decomposed organic matter to accumulate as peat. Sphagnum-rich peatlands are ecosystems built around the moss's growth and decay.
Carbon sink : A system that absorbs and stores more carbon than it releases over a given period. Sphagnum peatlands store carbon when plant production outpaces decomposition.
Cation exchange : The reversible exchange of positively charged ions between a material and a surrounding solution. Sphagnum exchanges hydrogen ions for nutrient cations, helping acidify its surroundings.
Peat moss : Partly decomposed Sphagnum and other plant material harvested from peatlands, often for horticulture. Sphagnum is a major source of the peat moss used to improve growing media.
Moss : A small, nonvascular land plant that reproduces by spores and typically grows in moist habitats. Sphagnum is a distinctive genus within the broader group of mosses.
Raised bog : A domed peatland raised above surrounding terrain by the accumulation of peat. Sphagnum growth contributes to the thick peat deposits that form raised bogs.
Peatland wildfire : A fire that burns vegetation or organic soil in a peatland, sometimes continuing underground. Drought can dry Sphagnum peat, making carbon-rich deposits vulnerable to fire.
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