Sphagnum such gemmae. Peat moss can be distinguished from other moss species by its unique branch clusters. The plant and stem color, the shape of the branch and stem leaves, and the shape of the green cells are all characteristics used to identify peat moss to species. "Sphagnum" taxonomy has been very contentious since the early 1900s; most species require microscopic dissection to be identified. In the field, most "Sphagnum" species can be identified to one of four major sections of the genus—classification and descriptions follow Andrus 2007 (Flora North America): The reciprocal monophyly of these sections and two other minor
Geochemistry of carbon requirements, but unless the sea level is rising will not have a chance to accumulate much. Coral reefs are very productive, but are well oxygenated, and recycle everything before it is buried. In dead "Sphagnum", sphagnan a polysaccharide with D-lyxo-5-hexosulouronic acid is a major remaining substance. It make the bog very acidic, so that bacteria cannot grow. Not only that, the plant ensures there is no available nitrogen. Holocellulose also absorbs any digestive enzymes around. Together this leads to major accumulation of peat under sphagnum bogs. Earth's mantle is a significant reservoir of carbon. The mantle contains more carbon than