Water Analysis of Habitats of Sphagnum in the Coastal Plain of North and South Carolina

Abstract
The habitats of approximately 20 spp. of sphagnum in the coastal plain of North and South Carolina are briefly described. Water samples from a range of specific habitats showed generally low pH values (3.5-5.6) and low specific conductivity (18-118 .mu.mho). Data relating species presence to height above the local water table confirm the widespread observation that Sphagnum spp. tend to be narrowly distributed along a gradient from strictly aquatic to variously less aquatic species. Coastal plain habitats, such as pocosins and savannahs, differ sufficiently from more northern bogs and fens to continue the use of separate names for them.