Peatlands on national forests of the northern Rocky Mountains: Ecology and conservation

Abstract

Peatlands are an uncommon landscape feature in the Northern Rocky Mountains of the United States and provide habitat for a number of plant and animal species dependent on these environments. As such, peatlands are an important contributor to local and regional biological diversity. Peatlands also have considerable scientific value (via coring) as repositories of pollen and ash deposits, providing insight into postglacial vegetation and climates. Included in this report are a description of the physical components, vegetation, vascular and nonvascular flora, and invertebrate fauna associated with peatlands on National Forests in northeastern Washington, Idaho, and Montana. Also included are descriptions of 58 sites representative of the diversity of peatlands present within the study area. Research needs and conservation tools to protect peatlands are discussed.