FE2E Menyanthes trifoliata – Sphagnum recurvum agg. mire
Vegetation
The chief feature of this mire assemblage is an abundant carpet of Sphagnum recurvum agg. There are no other constant species but often through this layer grow some Menyanthes trifoliata, Carex rostrata, Eriophorum angustifolium and Anthoxanthum odoratum. There is a whole suite of occasional graminoids including Holcus lanatus, Juncus effusus, Carex echinata, Agrostis spp., Carex nigra and Molinia caerulea. Sphagnum palustre is the most likely other Sphagnum to be found and often there is some cover of Aulacomnium palustre and Polytrichum commune.
Ecology
This is a flush community of nutrient-poor, strongly acidic situations. Most records come from the soak systems of Clara Bog or other bogland.
Sub-communities
Two sub-communities are described. In the Carex nigra – Polytrichum commune sub-community (FE2Ei), Carex nigra, Carex echinata, Polytrichum commune, Juncus effusus, Potentilla erecta, Anthoxanthum odoratum and Agrostis stolonifera are all much more frequent than in the Menyanthes trifoliata – Carex rostrata sub-community (FE2Eii) in which the titular species, Potentilla palustris and Vaccinium oxycoccos occur.
Similar communities
From the other communities in FE2 Menyanthes trifoliata – Potentilla palustris group, the current community is distinct due to its abundant cover of Sphagnum. The FW3Cii Carex rostrata swamp Sphagnum subsecundum agg. – Potamogeton polygonifolius sub-community may be similar at first glance, but there is a difference in the dominant Sphagnum spp. and Menyanthes trifoliata is typically absent in FW3Cii. The FE2Ei sub-community is related to the GL2Di Juncus effusus – Rumex acetosa grassland Polytrichum commune – Sphagnum spp. sub-community but has greater Sphagnum cover.
Conservation value
Examples of this community may correspond with EU HD Annex I habitat 7140 Transition mires. Plant species diversity is rather poor (species/4 m2 = 13.5, n = 33).
Management
Typically, this is an unmanaged community. The main threats include drainage, reclamation, ground water pollution and peat extraction.