The Algonquin Spruce Bog demonstrates a fascinating transformation
a process that occurred over thousands of years.
The Bog's Beginnings
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The beginnings of this bog started over 11,000 years ago when the glaciers retreated, leaving large chunks of ice behind. These would be covered in sand and gravel. |
| When these large chunks of ice eventually melted, small lakes were formed. These small lakes had very little oxygen, almost no circulation and were very acidic. This created the ideal conditions for a bog to form. |
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A special plant (called Carex lasiocarpa) grows out from the shore. It can grow in open water, and forms the mat for other plants, (which you will learn about later) to grow on. As these plants die, the dead plant matter settles on the bottom of the lake. Due to the acidic water with little oxygen, the plant matter can only partially decay. This matter is known as peat. |
| Over time, peat filled the lake and helps support the bog mat. Eventually, the bog mat becomes solid enough to support trees such as Tamarack and Black Spruce. |
Illustrations by Howard Coneybeare,
from Spruce Bog Boardwalk trail guide, Friends of Algonquin Park |
Despite its abundance, the water in a bog is highly acidic, contains almost no oxygen and has very few nutrients. The only soil available to plants is peat, which also has few minerals or nutrients. Plant and animal life need special adaptations in order to survive in this environment. You will learn more about these adaptations during your visit on the trail.
One Interesting Example of Adaptation
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As indicated in the interpretative guide, you will not likely find this plant during your visit at the Spruce Bog. This is a "Pitcher Plant" that has a very unique food source.
Although these plants are no longer present in the bog due to picking, I found many on bog-like mats near our campsite on Pog Lake (where this picture was taken.) |
To Log This Earth Cache:
- Go to the posted co-ordinates and identify two of kinds of plants accounting for nearly all the vegetation in this area.
- Using your GPS, measure the walking distance from the Sunday Creek bog to the Kettle bog (from post 5 to post 7.)
- How does the Pitcher Plant survive in this bog?
- Take a picture of yourself (or group) with your GPS at the posted co-ordinates with the bog in the background, and post with your log entry.
- Email your answers to 1, 2 and 3 to swimmrearth@gmail.com. You do not need to wait for a response from me to log your find. However, logs that have not completed the above will be deleted.
This Earth Cache is in Algonquin Park--you will need a valid park permit to visit the Spruce Bog trail. You may also wish to visit the Spruce Bog display at the Visitor Centre at km 43 in the Park.
As the bog mat is very delicate, please be sure to stay on the trail at all times.
Thanks to Rick Stronk, Chief Park Naturalist of Algonquin Park for his review and permission to set up this earth cache.
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