muskegs

Muskeg is a term used in boreal North America for a type of waterlogged peatland or mire. The ground is soft and sponge-like, formed by partly decayed vegetation that remains saturated with water. Soils are organic and acidic with little mineral matter. Vegetation commonly includes sphagnum moss, sedges, and stunted trees such as black spruce along the margins.

Formation and ecology: Muskegs form in cool, wet climates where decomposition is slow and peat accumulates. A high water table keeps the surface saturated, creating anaerobic conditions that preserve organic material. In many muskegs, underlying permafrost influences drainage patterns. The landscape is a mosaic of pools, tussocks, and hummocks.

Distribution and role: Muskegs occur across boreal Canada, Alaska, and northern United States. They store large amounts of carbon and help regulate hydrology by buffering water flow. They provide habitat for wildlife such as caribou, moose, waterfowl, and numerous invertebrates, and support plant communities adapted to saturated soils.

Human impact and climate: Draining muskegs for forestry, mining, or infrastructure releases stored carbon and alters habitat. Climate change can modify water balance and permafrost, potentially changing peat formation dynamics and increasing methane emissions from degraded peat.

Conservation and restoration: Protection focuses on maintaining natural water levels and vegetation. Restoration efforts may involve re-wetting drained areas, blocking drainage ditches, and reestablishing moss and sedge mats to promote peat growth and ecosystem function.