Ombrotroficzne

Ombrotroficzne, also called ombrotrophic in English, describes a class of peatland ecosystems whose nutrient supply comes almost exclusively from atmospheric deposition rather than from mineral-rich groundwater or surface water. The term combines ombro, meaning rain, with trophic, meaning nourishing. These systems are typically acidic and nutrient-poor because inputs from precipitation are limited and buffering minerals are scarce.

In ombrotrophic peatlands, water is mainly sourced from precipitation and remains highly saturated, creating long periods of anoxic conditions. The low availability of nitrogen, phosphorus and other minerals constrains plant productivity and shapes the local nutrient cycle. Peat forms as plant material decomposes slowly under waterlogged, acidic conditions, contributing to long-term carbon sequestration.

Vegetation is often dominated by Sphagnum mosses, which help maintain acidity and waterlogged conditions. Plant communities are relatively simple and specialized, including ericaceous shrubs and a few carnivorous species in some regions. By contrast, minerotrophic (nutrient-rich) peatlands receive mineral inputs from groundwater or streams and typically host more diverse plant communities with higher pH.

Globally, ombrotrophic peatlands are prominent in boreal and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, notably in parts of Canada, Scandinavia, Russia, and northern Europe. They play a key role in climate regulation through carbon storage but are sensitive to hydrological changes. Drainage, peat extraction, and climate-induced drying can reduce water tables and shift conditions toward minerotrophy, degrading peat accumulation. Restoration efforts focus on rewetting and reestablishing the natural hydrology to recover ombrotrophic conditions.