Macroscopic Identification Key of 36 Species in Eastern Canada Sphagnum
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1842 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA MISCELLANEOUS REPORT 61 MACROSCOPIC IDENTIFICATION KEY OF 36SPHAGNUM SPECIES IN EASTERN CANADA D-F. Bastien and M. Garneau 1997 Natural Resources Ressources naturelles Canada Canada GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA MISCELLANEOUS REPORT 61 MACROSCOPIC IDENTIFICATION KEY OF 36 SPHAGNUM SPECIES IN EASTERN CANADA Denis-F. Bastien Michelle Garneau 1997 ©Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 1997 Catalogue No. M41-8/61E ISBN 0-660-16988-6 Available in Canada from Geological Survey of Canada offices: 601 Booth Street Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0E8 3303-33rd Street N.W., Calgary, Alberta T2L 2A7 or from Canadian Government Publishing Public Works and Government Services Canada Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0S9 A deposit coy of this publication is also available for reference in selected public libraries across Canada Cette publication est aussi disponible en français Price subject to change without notice Cover illustration Sphagnum species: Sphagnum russowii Critical reviewers Pierre Buteau Norman Dignard Dennis Gignac Pierre Grondin Inez M. Kettles Authors’ addresses Michelle Garneau Denis-F. Bastien GSC, Quebec 605 Maurice-Sébastien Quebec Geoscience Centre Village Huron, Quebec Institut national de la recherche scientifique G0A 4V0 2535 Laurier Boulevard P.O. Box 7500, Sainte-Foy, Quebec G1V 4C7 Original manuscript submitted: 1996-06 Final version approved for publication: 1996-07 Preface It is not always easy to identify mosses, even with the help of a microscope and identification keys. While certain species can be identified directly in the field, others can easily be misidentified, despite the aid of precision instruments, because of the large number of shared characteristics. In addition, the task is often made more difficult since many specialists disagree about taxonomic criteria. The purpose of this guide is to synthesize published information about the morphological characteristics of Sphagnum species and their habitats (Haavisto, 1974; Vitt et al., 1988; McQueen, 1990; Hill, 1992; Flatberg, 1994; Sims and Baldwin, 1996) in order to provide field scientists with macroscopic identification keys. Marc Denis Everell Assistant Deputy Minister Earth Sciences Sector Natural Resources Canada CONTENTS 1 Abstract/Résumé 2 Introduction 2 Uses of Sphagnum peat moss 2 Target clientele and geographical areas covered by the guide 2 Contents 3 Acknowledgments 3 Methodology 3 Equipment 3 Procedures 3 In the field 3 In the laboratory 3 Using the keys 4 Habitat characteristics 5 Identification keys 5 Multiple access key 8 Dichotomous key 14 Species descriptions 25 Glossary 26 References Figures 28 1. Important morphological features of Sphagnum species. 28 2. Stem leaf positions. 29 3. Details of Sphagnum branches. 29 4. Transverse cuts of the capitulum showing the apical bud. 29 5. Capitulum as seen from above. 30 6. Sizes of Sphagnum species. 30 7. Branch leaf shapes. 31 8. Stem leaf shapes. 31 9. Ericaceous bog. 31 10. Bog with ponds. 32 11. Open bog (sparse trees). 32 12. Patterned fen. 32 13. Herbaceous fen with ponds. 32 14. Sphagnum angermanicum 33 15. Sphagnum angustifolium 33 16. Sphagnum austinii 33 17. Sphagnum balticum 33 18. Sphagnum capillifolium 34 19. Sphagnum compactum 34 20. Sphagnum cuspidatum 34 21. Sphagnum fallax 34 22. Sphagnum fimbriatum 35 23. Sphagnum flavicomans 35 24. Sphagnum fallax and S. flexuosum 35 25. Sphagnum fuscum 35 26. Sphagnum girgensohnii 36 27. Sphagnum lenense 36 28. Sphagnum lindbergii 36 29. Sphagnum magellanicum 36 30. Sphagnum majus 37 31. Sphagnum obtusum 37 32. Sphagnum papillosum 37 33. Sphagnum platyphyllum 37 34. Sphagnum pulchrum 38 35. Sphagnum pylaesii 38 36. Sphagnum quinquefarium 38 37. Sphagnum riparium 38 38. Sphagnum rubellum 39 39. Sphagnum russowii 39 40. Sphagnum squarrosum 39 41. Sphagnum subfulvum 39 42. Sphagnum subsecundum 40 43. Sphagnum tenellum 40 44. Sphagnum teres 40 45. Sphagnum wulfianum 40 46. Sphagnum rubellum and S. capillifolium 41 47. The most frequent biotopes observed in peatlands. MACROSCOPIC IDENTIFICATION KEY OF 36 SPHAGNUM SPECIES IN EASTERN CANADA Abstract Résumé An illustrated guide for the macroscopic identification of 36 Un guide illustré portant sur l'identification macroscopique de 36 Sphagnum species found in eastern Canada was produced as part of espèces du genre Sphagnum de l'est du Canada a été produit dans le the Geological Survey of Canada project “Surficial Geology and cadre d'un projet portant sur la géologie de surface et les processus Environmental Processes in Peatlands”. environnementaux des tourbières de la Commission géologique du Canada. Sphagnum is a genus of mosses encountered in peatlands of eastern Canada. It is hard to find Sphagnum identification books that Les sphaignes sont des mousses que l'on rencontre dans les do not require the use of sophisticated tools such as a microscope. tourbières de l'est du Canada. Rares sont les ouvrages qui permettent Two identification keys were produced to help the user identify, often de s'initier aux sphaignes sans l'aide d'instruments complexes tels que directly in the field (using a hand lens), most of the species described le microscope. Deux clés d'identification ont été produites afin d'aider in this guide. Descriptions and comments provide additional l'utilisateur à identifier, le plus souvent directement sur le terrain information about each of the species (distinctive characteristics, (avec une loupe simple), la plupart des espèces décrites dans ce guide. distribution, habitat, etc.). So that the user does not have to search Outre ces deux clés d'identification, une description et des through the text each time a species characteristic is mentioned, all commentaires fournissent des renseignements additionnels figures and photographs are presented at the end of the guide. These (caractéristiques, répartition, habitat, etc.) sur chacune des espèces. illustrations will help in the identification process. Les figures facilitent l'identification des espèces. Toutes les figures et photographies sont regroupées à la fin du guide afin que l'utilisateur ne soit pas obligé de chercher inutilement dans le texte les illustrations mentionnées dans la description de chaque espèce. 1 INTRODUCTION Contents The first part of the guide (“Methodology”) contains a brief Uses of Sphagnum peat moss description of the material and methodology used to study Sphagnum in the field or laboratory (Haavisto, 1974). It also explains the use of n recent years, producers of peat moss and people involved in the the keys. Ipharmaceutical industry, research, and other fields have shown a growing interest in Sphagnum mosses. New products utilizing The second part (“Habitat characteristics”) focuses on the undecomposed Sphagnum from peat bogs have recently been description of Sphagnum habitats. Since each species has particular developed. Sanitary napkins, biofilters for heavy industry, and requirements regarding its habitat, it is important to provide as precise inoculated horticultural media are just a few examples of new and details as possible about the location where each was collected. The innovative products that use Sphagnum mosses. In many cases, this peatlands associated with particular Sphagnum species are described recent diversification of Sphagnum-based products requires the and the plants commonly associated with these habitats are listed. harvesting of particular Sphagnum species or groups of species, since Finally, a description of the microtopography (biotope) encountered each species possesses different characteristics such as absorption and completes the elements used in this guide to characterize the different retention capacity, growth rate, plant colour, etc. Thus, by providing a habitats encountered. means of identifying Sphagnum species or groups of species, this key will help guide harvesting for specific industrial uses. The third and most important section of this guide (“Identification keys”) is a description of two identification keys that will allow the user to identify the Sphagnum specimens collected. The final part Target clientele and geographical area (“Species descriptions”) is a more detailed description (distinctive covered by the guide characteristics, distribution, habitat, etc.) of the 36 Sphagnum species given in the two identification keys. In addition to the 36 species described in this guide, 23 additional species are mentioned and an Although the best way of identifying Sphagnum species is with the aid information source is provided. These species are either too rare, too of a microscope, this guide shows that it is possible to recognize localized, or beyond the scope of this guide to be included in the guide. several common species, sometimes directly in the field, using much less sophisticated tools. This identification guide is intended for A glossary and list of cited and relevant publications are also various stakeholders in the peat sector. It is based mainly on included. All figures have been grouped thematically and are macroscopic characteristics, and will help the user to become presented at the end of the guide. Figures 1, 2, and 3 show general acquainted with 36 species of Sphagnum found in eastern Canada. The Sphagnum organization (plant morphology, branch leaf arrangement, area covered extends from Ontario to Newfoundland, and includes etc.). Figures 4, 5, and 6 show detailed views of capitula and plant Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia. sizes. Figure 7 illustrates branch leaf morphology while Figure 8 shows variations