The Effect of Small Doses of Mineral Fertilizers
on the Vegetation of a SedgeSphagnum Bog

T. A. Maksimova and V. F. Yudina

Institute of Biology, Karelian Scientific Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Pushkinskaya 11, Petrozavodsk,
185610 Karelia, Russia

Received November 18, 1998

Abstract—The disturbance of natural development was modeled in a natural bog in southern Karelia (6148N,
3335E) by application of mineral fertilizers at small doses, exceeding the input of nitrogen, phosphorus, and
potassium by four to ten times with atmospheric deposition. The application of N₃₀P₆₀ and N₃₀K₄₅ kg/ha over
three years and P₆₀K₄₅ and N₃₀P₆₀K₄₅ over six years did not affect the floristic composition, but significantly
changed the absolute and relative proportions of separate species of vascular plants and sphagnum mosses. The
abundance of Oxycoccus palustris, Chamaedaphne calyculata, Menyanthes trifoliata, Carex rostrata, and
C.lasiocarpa increased, and the projective cover of the bottom layer composed of Sphagnum angustifolium,
S.fallax, and S. magellanicum decreased. The vegetation recovered almost completely in 18 years after a three-
year application of fertilizers and a six-year application of fertilizers caused the development of cenoses indic-
ative of richer and wetter habitats.

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