4.3. Bogs and Fens

Bogs and fens are formed when organic materials build-up on ground which has poor drainage. They also occur in depressions left by glaciers in areas where the amount of precipitation exceeds the amount of water that evaporates. When organic material, such as leaves, falls into these areas, the wet conditions slow down decomposition or breakdown of the materials, creating peat.


The main difference between a bog and a fen is found in the kinds of plants that grow there according to the available nutrients.

Bogs generally have fewer nutrients and tend to be mossy and peat covered. They usually form on a rocky area.

Fens are usually found along lake and river edges and are covered with mosses and grasses. The closeness of fens to other water systems means that they are occasionally flooded with nutrient-rich water.
 

 

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