Disturbance in Small, Fragmented Peat Bogs and its Contribution to Iris pseudacorus Colonisation

Peat bogs are of global importance as carbon sinks and hotspots of biodiversity. In British Columbia, some peat bogs such as the Galiano Island Ecological Reserve are fragmented by the construction of roadways (Cook Road). This construction impacts the dynamic of the bog, which is also affected by an invasion by Iris pseudacorus. It is therefore necessary to determine how the disturbance from Cook Road affects the spread of this invasive species. I. pseudacorus individuals in disturbed and undisturbed sections of the bog’s periphery were counted and compared, and buffer zone widths between Cook Road and the bog were measured. I. pseudacorus numbers were significantly higher in disturbed areas. Areas of the bog beside wider buffer zones were found to have lower I. pseudacorus numbers due to them being areas free from disturbance. Predictions were made for future I. pseudacorus spread at the bog, and management strategies to prevent this spread and attempt its removal were proposed.

Author dc:creator

• Lanceley, William

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Singer, David

• School of environment and sustainability

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Identifier URI

https://doi.org/10.25316/ir-20353

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:null:10613/28785