The bog located near Presque Isle came to be 8-10 thousand years ago when the glaciers dug holes when they where receding. Plants grew in these holes and bogs were created. Because of the cool climates, when the plants die, they don't decay completely creating layers of peat and mats of dead and living plants. The bog is highly acidic so the plants in the bog have to adapt to the conditions. Some plants in the bog include pitcher plant (below), labrador tea, tamarack, cranberries, sun dew, leather leaf, sweet gale, willow and arrow leaf, which provides protection for ducks and songbirds.
Bogs also improve the quality of water and are an important habitat for migrating birds and wide life. Sadly, more than 50% of coastal wetlands have been lost to filling and development so it is best if we are conscious and take of care of the wetlands.
As mentioned above, the pitcher plant is a common plant in the bogs and it is probably the most unique. The pitcher plant is carnivorous (meat eating). The insects are digested by special enzymes and provide nitrogen to the plant. It has dark red flowers and the leafs have dark red veins. The leaves are cupped shaped to make it easier to fill with water when it rains.
The water of the bogs are brown due to the staining from the roots of the plants. The water for the bog near Presque isle comes from rainfall and seepage from Lake Superior through the porous soil. Alder trees (small trees with dark brown speckled bark) are abundant around the edges of the bog. The roots of Alders help with the nitrogen by gathering the nitrogen in the air and bringing it down to the soil for other plants. Alders are also used by beavers for food and housing.
I can not wait to come back to the bog and explore more around it and see what else it has to offer! Below are some pictures that I took during the class trip.
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