The New Bog Habitat

In our quest to improve the biodiversity of the Nature Area, we have been creating different kinds of habitat. One of the most visible is the new Bog Habitat beside the pond. This shallow hollow serves as an overflow area for when water levels are too high in the pond. It periodically floods and the water gradually seeps away into the ground tending to leave moist or even waterlogged soil for most of the year (unless there is a drought). Certain plants species like yellow iris, marsh marigolds, and pennyroyal are adapted to this sort of intermittent flooding, and these plants attract new varieties of insects and other organisms. Even rotten wood adds to the diversity by providing the right conditions for fungi, lichens, and mosses to develop and thrive.

It has been a slow process, but the new Bog Habitat is at last taking shape. The old black pond liner has been removed from the sides of this shallow basin and replaced with soil. We were hoping that by this time there would have been a wonderful display of wildflowers. Unfortunately, our repeated efforts to establish plants and sow seeds have been thwarted by the activities of the local birdlife, and by interference and damage from visitors who trample the area and remove items.

We will continue to try and make the Bog Habitat a productive place for new varieties of wildlife, as well as a visually attractive area for all visitors to enjoy. We would appreciate people spreading the word about what we are trying to do, and to encourage the younger members of our community to understand.