Myrer

Myrer are peat-forming wetlands, commonly referred to as bogs in English. In Norwegian usage, myr denotes a wetland dominated by peat accumulation, with waterlogged, acidic soils and slow decomposition. Most myrer receive water mainly from precipitation rather than groundwater, which creates low nutrient levels and an acidic environment that favors mosses and ericaceous plants.

Ecology and structure are shaped by hydrology. Peat builds up over centuries, creating layered soils with an active upper layer (acrotelm) that responds to seasonal changes and a deeper permanently waterlogged layer (catotelm). The vegetation is dominated by Sphagnum mosses, which hold water and acidify the peat, along with sedges and shrubs such as Vaccinium and Calluna. The plant community supports specialized invertebrates and birds adapted to nutrient-poor, waterlogged habitats. Some bogs host carnivorous plants and a distinctive assemblage of microorganisms that influence peat formation.

Forms and distribution are often discussed in terms of two broad categories: raised bogs, where peat buildup forms a dome above the surrounding terrain, and blanket bogs, which spread over the landscape at low elevation. Myrer are widespread in boreal and temperate regions and are characteristic features of parts of Scandinavia, Great Britain, Ireland, Canada, and Russia.

Importance and threats: myrer store large amounts of carbon in peat and contribute to biodiversity and water regulation. They are vulnerable to drainage, peat extraction, land-use change, and climate change, which can lower water tables and slow peat formation. Conservation and restoration efforts focus on rewetting, protecting remaining bogs, and restoring natural hydrology to recover peat-forming conditions.