Blanket bogs
Description (English)
The mire surface and underlying peat of ombrotrophic peatlands, formed on flat or gently sloping ground with poor surface drainage, in oceanic climates with high rainfall. The mire surface may on flatter ground be very similar to that of a raised bog, with a complex of small pools and terrestrial hummocks. In the strictest sense, blanket bogs are a habitat endemic to northwestern Europe, characteristic of the western and northern British Isles, the Faeroe Islands and the western seaboard of Scandinavia. They often cover extensive areas with local topographic features supporting distinct communities. Sphagna (Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum tenellum, Sphagnum compactum, Sphagnum magellanicum, Sphagnum rubellum, Sphagnum fuscum) play an important role in all of them, accompanied by Narthecium ossifragum, Molinia caerulea, Scirpus cespitosus, Schoenus nigricans, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum and Calluna vulgaris. Blanket bog complexes (X28) include dystrophic pools (C1.4) and acidic flushes (D2.2) as well as the mire surface (D1.2).
Source:
EUNIS habitat classification
Interpretation Manual of the habitats targeted by Resolution No. 4
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code D1.2 |
|---|---|
| Bern Convention | Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites) |
| Relation to | Annex I habitat types (EU Habitats Directive) |
Legal status
Mentioned in the following international legal instruments and agreements
Relation to other habitat types mentioned in legal instruments
| Legal text | Annex | Name in legal text | Code in legal text |
Habitat type relationship |
More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora - consolidated version 01/01/2007 | Annex I: natural habitat types of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation | Blanket bogs (if active bog) | 7130 | Wider | http://ec.europa.eu/environm...rective/index_en.htm |
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
| Name | Definition | Other names | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ericion tetralicis Schwickerath 1933 | Moist peaty heathlands on gley and podsolic soils within oceanic areas in Western and Central Europe | Calluno-Sphagnion papillosi Tx. in Tx. et al. 1972; Droserion longifoliae Julve 1992; Narthecion ossifragi Vanden Berghen 1958; Scirpion caespitosi Oberd. 1957; Ulici-Ericion tetralicis (Schwickerath 1933) Tx. 1937; Erico mackaianae-Sphagnion papillosi (Fernández Prieto et al. 1987) Rivas-Mart. et al.1999; Trichophoro-Ericion tetralicis (Schwickerath 1933) Duvigneaud 1947 | Schaminee et al, 2012 |
| Oxycocco-Ericion tetralicis Nordhagen ex Tx. 1937 | Oligotrophic vegetation on bogs and acidic fens in oceanic and suboceanic regions of Europe | Carici-Sphagnion papillosi Malmer 1964; Erico-Sphagnion papillosi Moore 1968; Oxycocco-Ericion tetralicis Nordhagen 1936; Sphagnion europaei Schwickerath 1940; Calluno-Sphagnion papillosi (Schwickerath 1933) Tx. in Tx. et al. 1972 | Schaminee et al, 2012 |
Species mentioned in habitat description
Flowering Plants
Calluna vulgaris
Flowering Plants
Eriophorum angustifolium
Flowering Plants
Eriophorum vaginatum
Flowering Plants
Molinia caerulea
Flowering Plants
Narthecium ossifragum
Flowering Plants
Schoenus nigricans
Flowering Plants
Scirpus cespitosus
Mosses & Liverworts
Sphagnum compactum
Mosses & Liverworts
Sphagnum fuscum
Mosses & Liverworts
Sphagnum magellanicum
Mosses & Liverworts
Sphagnum papillosum
Mosses & Liverworts
Sphagnum rubellum
Mosses & Liverworts
Sphagnum tenellum
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Calluna vulgaris | Flowering Plants | |
| Eriophorum angustifolium | Flowering Plants | |
| Eriophorum vaginatum | Flowering Plants | |
| Molinia caerulea | Flowering Plants | |
| Narthecium ossifragum | Flowering Plants | |
| Schoenus nigricans | Flowering Plants | |
| Scirpus cespitosus | Flowering Plants | |
| Sphagnum compactum | Mosses & Liverworts | |
| Sphagnum fuscum | Mosses & Liverworts | |
| Sphagnum magellanicum | Mosses & Liverworts | |
| Sphagnum papillosum | Mosses & Liverworts | |
| Sphagnum rubellum | Mosses & Liverworts | |
| Sphagnum tenellum | Mosses & Liverworts |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 200112 | 52 | Blanket bogs | same |
| CORINE Land Cover | 4.1.2. | Peatbogs | n/a |
| Phase 1 habitat classification (UK) 1993 | E161 | Bog: blanket | same |
| Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Habitats (UK) | 21 | Blanket bog | same |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | D1.2 | Blanket bogs | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | D1.2 | Blanket bogs | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | D1.2 | Blanket bogs | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | D1.2 | Blanket bogs | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | D1.2 | Blanket bogs | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | D1.2 | Blanket bogs | same |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 | 52 | Blanket bogs | same |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 | 52 | Blanket bogs | same |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 | 52 | same | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 | 52 | same | |
| CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 | 52 | same | |
| CORINE Biotopes Classification 1989 | 52 | same |
