Diatomological aspects of the Fenn’s and Whixall Mosses complex (Shropshire, UK)

Peat bogs are unique and important habitats for biodiversity at the species and ecosystem level where low pH of water plays a major role. The main objective of the present study was to compare the benthic diatom assemblage structure of the selected part of the Fenn’s and Whixall Mosses complex in order to verify whether selected sampling sites differ from each other. The complex is a cut-over, lowland raised mire, which is a National Nature Reserve (NNR) and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Altogether 92 diatom species were identified in 72 benthic samples collected between September 2008 and August 2009 from six selected sampling sites. Statistical cluster analysis was used to classify diatom samples and to observe the structure of diatom assemblages. The results of this analysis grouped the data set into 3 clusters with 24 samples from each of the two sampling sites in one cluster. Such a clear division shows that pH of water has an impact on the species composition, the richness and diversity of benthic diatom assemblages.