Characterized by wet, spongy and poorly drained, peaty soil, a bog can take hundreds to thousands of years to develop. When a lake or pond slowly fills with debris, sphagnum moss and other plants grow out from the water’s edge; eventually covering the entire surface. Bogs can also form when sphagnum moss covers dry land and prevents precipitation from evaporating. Rare and unusual plants such as orchids, water lilies, cranberries, pitcher plants, and sundew thrive in these acidic ecosystems.
There are National Natural Landmarks designated for their bogs nationwide that illustrate the subtle beauty and diversity of these ecosystems. From kettle hole and string to floating and quaking, there are bogs designated as National Natural Landmarks across the country that illustrate the unique beauty and diversity of these fragile ecosystems. Some of these include: