Sphagnum fuscum hummocks. Known occurrence of "Sphagnum fuscus" are on the map above. The moss inhabits boreal forests and marshlands primarily, and is more likely to be found in colder climates. The moss is also capable of inhabiting areas of relatively high elevation. In recent studies performed in Eastern Europe, it was found that stable carbon and oxygen isotope ratios in α-cellulose of "Sphagnum fuscum" stems subsampled from hummocks and peat plateau profiles are useful indicators for summer temperature and winter precipitation at decadal to millennial timescales. In another study conducted in Alberta, Canada, it was found that "S. fuscum" serves as
Sphagnum all other land plants, has an alternation of generations; like other bryophytes, the haploid gametophyte generation is dominant and persistent. Unlike other mosses, the long-lived gametophytes do not rely upon rhizoids to assist in water uptake. "Sphagnum" species can be unisexual (male or female, dioecious) or bisexual (male and female gametes produced from the same plant; monoecious); In North America, 80% of "Sphagnum" species are unisexual. Gametophytes have substantial asexual reproduction by fragmentation, producing much of the living material in sphagnum peatlands. Swimming sperm fertilize eggs contained in archegonia that remain attached to the female gametophyte. The sporophyte is relatively