Sphagnum ericaceous shrubs, as well as orchids and carnivorous plants. "Sphagnum" and the peat formed from it do not decay readily because of the phenolic compounds embedded in the moss's cell walls. In addition, bogs, like all wetlands, develop anaerobic soil conditions, which produces slower anaerobic decay rather than aerobic microbial action. Peat moss can also acidify its surroundings by taking up cations, such as calcium and magnesium, and releasing hydrogen ions. Under the right conditions, peat can accumulate to a depth of many meters. Different species of "Sphagnum" have different tolerance limits for flooding and pH, so any one peatland
Robert Moss Robert Moss Robert Moss, born in Melbourne (Victoria) in 1946, is an Australian historian, journalist and author and the creator of Active Dreaming, an original synthesis of dreamwork and shamanism. Moss survived several life-threatening bouts of illness in childhood and traces his fascination with dreaming from this time. He was educated at Scotch College, Melbourne, Canberra Grammar School and the Australian National University where he gained a BA (1st class Hons.) and subsequently gained an MA. He was a lecturer in Ancient History at the ANU in 1969-1970. In 1970, Moss started PhD research at University College, London, but soon