Sarracenia xharperi, Natural Hybrid Pitcher Plant between Sarracenia flava and Sarracenia minor in habitat, Brooks County, Georgia
The bogs depicted in these photos are examples of well managed southeastern coastal plain habitats that have nearly disappeared in Georgia. This private property holds the best managed and largest bogs in the state.
Sustainability of these habitats requires 1) marked reduction of tree density; 2) Routine but not excessive application of fire, particularly non-growing season so that plants are not repeatedly weakened; and 3) eliminate alteration of hydrology by not puncturing hardpan commonly a result of deep bedding or furrowing by inappropriate forestry practices.
The three enemies of a healthy bog are excessive trees which draw out tremendous water daily; excessive shade; and diversion of water. Secondarily, increased nutrient flow into the bog from adjacent agricultural influences can increase grass growth resulting in reduction of species diversity. Excessive use of fire is also a problem for bogs in that this selects for more grass and burning recharges nutrients into the bog repeatedly. Winter burns are ecologically preferred as nutrients charged into the bog may leach out during the non-growing winter months resulting in much more nutrient depletion for the growing season. The majority of orchids, carnivorous plants, and other rare herbaceous plants are adapted to and prefer these nutrient poor conditions.
Sarracenia xharperi, Natural Hybrid Pitcher Plant between Sarracenia flava and Sarracenia minor in habitat, Brooks County, Georgia
The bogs depicted in these photos are examples of well managed southeastern coastal plain habitats that have nearly disappeared in Georgia. This private property holds the best managed and largest bogs in the state.
Sustainability of these habitats requires 1) marked reduction of tree density; 2) Routine but not excessive application of fire, particularly non-growing season so that plants are not repeatedly weakened; and 3) eliminate alteration of hydrology by not puncturing hardpan commonly a result of deep bedding or furrowing by inappropriate forestry practices.
The three enemies of a healthy bog are excessive trees which draw out tremendous water daily; excessive shade; and diversion of water. Secondarily, increased nutrient flow into the bog from adjacent agricultural influences can increase grass growth resulting in reduction of species diversity. Excessive use of fire is also a problem for bogs in that this selects for more grass and burning recharges nutrients into the bog repeatedly. Winter burns are ecologically preferred as nutrients charged into the bog may leach out during the non-growing winter months resulting in much more nutrient depletion for the growing season. The majority of orchids, carnivorous plants, and other rare herbaceous plants are adapted to and prefer these nutrient poor conditions.