Key species of peatlands

Sphagnum moss is considered to be a key species in bog peatlands. They modify their environment to make it more favorable to their growth. Sphagnum mosses are responsible for the acidification and retention of water, and therefore of the decrease growth of vascular plants and the accumulation of organic matter of the peatlands. Peatlands cover only 3 % of earth’s surface, they contain around 450 Gt of carbon, representing 30 % of the total soil carbon.