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Quaking bogs and bog succession

Quaking bogs are floating wetlands that have formed across the surface of shallow ponds. The most common plant in bogs is sphagnum moss. Bogs also have large amounts of peat. These bogs have acidic water with low levels of oxygen. Because of the low nutrient availability in these systems they often contain carnivorous plants (e.g. pitcher and sundew plants) that acquire some of their nutrients from their insect prey. 

The roots of wetland plants form floating mats that create an unstable surface. I would not recommend venturing onto one because the plants are fragile and you run the risk of breaking through the vegetation. 

Bog succession- These are dynamic systems and examples of succession. Over time, organic matter may accumulate below the floating mats and cause them to stabilize. Depending on various water characteristics (e.g. nutrients, pH, etc.) the bog may transition (or succeed) into a marsh, swamp, and even a forest. This particular bog was found in the Adirondack State Park, New York. 

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