    [From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

            Botanical and Ecological Aspects
            of Coastal Raised Reatlands
            in Maine

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          W92      ive Oepartment,           Maine State Planning Of fice
         1980
                                                          January 19B2

                                     BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF

                                      COASTAL RAISED PEATLANDS IN MAINE

                                                      and

                                 THEIR RELEVANCE TO'THE CRITICAL AREAS PROGRAM

                                                     of

                                          THE STATE PLANNING OFFICE     r o p uy o f       i b r a r y

                                                                    C  S  DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NOAA
                                                     by             COASTAL SER@'ICEVQ CENTER
                                                IAN A. WORLEY       2234 SOUTH HOBSON AVENUE
                                                                    CHARLESTON    SC 29405-2413
                                                January 1980

                                          A Report Prepared for the

                                        Maine Critical Areas Program
                                            State Planning Office
                                              184 State Street
                                           Augusta, Maine   04333

                                           Planning Report No.69

             cm

                                 Financial support for this project was  provided
                                 by the U.S. Water Resources Council under the
                                 Water Resources Planning Act of 1965.

                                                  FOREWORD

                   The following draft report on coastal raised peatlands was prepared for
              Maine's Critical Areas Program, and is being circulated for review. This
              program was established by an act of the Legislature in 1974 which directed
              the State Planning Office to develop an official Register of Critical Areas
              and to encourage and coordinate the conservation of such areas as part of its
              overall responsibility for comprehensive statewide planning and coordination
              of planning activities. The Act defines Critical Areas as natural features of
              statewide importance because of their unusual natural, scenic, scientific, or
              historical significance.

              The Act also created the Critical Areas Advisory Board to advise and assist
              the State Planning Office in the establishment of the Register and the
              conservation of critical areas. The program established by the Act is not
              regulatory, with the minor exception that notification of proposed alterations
              of critical areas is 'required of the landowners thereof. The program is
              primarily one of identifying critical areas and providing advice to and coordi-
              nating the voluntary activities of landowners, state and local government
              organizations, conservation groups and others to the end of encouraging the
              conservation of critical areas. The Critical Areas Program further provides a
              specific focus for the evaluation and coordination of programs relating to
              critical areas in Maine. The program also serves as a source of information
              on critical areas and their management.

              The purpose of these reports is to present the results of thorough investi-
              gations of subject areas chosen for consideration in the Critical Areas
              Program. The reports are an intermediate phase in a systematic registration
              process which starts with the identification of subjects for consideration and
              concludes with the analysis of each potential critical area individually and,
              if appropriate, inclusion of areas on the Register.

              Tn addition to the specific task they are intended to fulfill in the
              registration process, it is my hope that these reports will be useful in a
              more general sense as a source of information on the various topics they
              cover. This report on coastal raised peatlands covers a topic which is
              important for the Critical Areas Program to investigate at this time.
              Competition for the peat resource is expected to increase dramatically in the
              years ahead. There are several alternative uses for peat, namely 1)
              horticulture - as a soil conditioner, 2) agriculture - as a soil for crops,
              3) as an energy source, and 4) preservation of unusual ecological habitats.
              Each of these uses has a place in meeting our needs. We should seek a balance
              between the various uses of peatlands. The most unusual or exemplary
              peatlands should be maintained in a natural condition while others are
              carefully utilized. There are several private and public organizations
              working to identify commercially valuable peat deposits. To complement this
              work the purpose of the Critical Areas Program is to identify those areas
              which have unusual natural values and hence should be preserved. To minimize
              conflict or misunderstanding the Critical Areas studies and recommendations
              will be shared with known private and public interests concerned with our peat
              resource. For more information, and to return comments on coastal raised
              peatlands or other aspects of the Critical Areas Program, feel free to contact
              me or other members of the staff at the State Planning Office.

                                                                 R. Alec Giffen, Assistant Director
                                                                 Natural Resources Planning Division

                                                    ABSTRACT

                      The coastal raised peatlands of Maine are ecologically, scientifically,
                 educationally, and aesthetically significant natural features restricted to
                 a very narrow strip of Maine's.eastern coast from the tip of Mount Desert
                 Island to West Quoddy Head. Rare in North America, these peatlands are most
                 similar, in vegetation and morphology, to coastal plateau peatlands in ex-
                 treme southwestern New Brunswick, coastal Nova Scotia, and western New-
                 foundland.

                      This report defines criteria by which the scientific, scenic, and
                 natural attributes of the coastal raised peatlands can be assessed, and
                 recommends peatlands for evaluation under the Maine Critical Areas Program
                 based upon such an assessment. An inventory of all coastal raised peat-
                 lands in Maine was performed based upon a literature search and field work.
                 Two hundred twenty nine peatlands were considered, 159 overflown, and 59
                 visited. Eighteen. sites, including 21 peatlands, are recommended for eval-
                 uation for inclusion on the Register of Critical Areas. Eighteen addi-
                 tional sites are likely of similar significance, and these areas should be
                 field checked for.possible evaluation for inclusion on the Register of
                 Critical Areas as soon as field work is possible. The Shrub Slope peatlands
                 of extreme outer islands and points are recommended for study by the Crit'i-
                 cal Areas Program. At least 53 additional coastal raised peatlands are in
                 an essentially unaltered natural state; should additional features of sig-
                 nificance be discovered at some future time, some of the sites may be con-
                 sidered then for evaluation as potential Critical Areas. Immedi  ate protec-
                 tive management at high use peatlands, notably Big Heath in Acadia National
                 Park, peatlands on Great Wass Island, and Carrying Place Cove Bog is strongly
                 recommended.

                                                  TABLE OF CONTENTS

                    Foreword   .............................................................              i
                    Abstract   .............................................................
                   .Table of Contents     ...................................................
                    List of Figures    .................................................          ....    3
                    List of Tables     ......................................................             5
                    Acknowledgements    .....................................................             6

                    INTRODUCTION    ........................................................              7
                       GENERAL METHODOLOGY      ..............................................            7
                       EXTENT OF KNOWLEDGE     ................  I ..............................       10
                       THE SIGNIFICANCE OF COASTAL RAISM PEATLANDS IN MAINE
                          AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THEIR INCLUSION IN THE CRITICAL
                          AREAS REGISTER      .................................................         13

                    NATURAL HISTORY AND ECOLOGY OF THE COASTAL RAISED PEATLANDS             .........   17
                       THE COASTAL REGION OF RAISED PEATLANDS        ....                    ........   17
                          Location and Diagnostic Peatland Feature;*-.,--.-                  ........   17
                          Physiography    ...........................     e ......................      17
                          Climate   ..................                     ... * ..................     18
                       PEATLANDS OF THE COASTAL REGION        ..................................        20
                          Discovery of the Coastal Peatland Phenomenon           ..................     20
                          The Coastal Plateau Peatland        ..................................        21
                          Coastal vs. Inland Peatland Variation          .........................      23
                          Other Pe-a-tland Types     ..........................................         30
                         @Shrub Slope Peatlands       .........................................         31
                       THE COASTAL RAISED PEATLANDS       ......................................        32
                          Prominence     ....................................................           32
                          Biota    .........................................................            34
                          Origin and Deposits     ...........................................           53
                         .Ecology   .................................................           .....   57
                          Physiography and Morphology        ...................................        63
                          Disturbance    ...........  ...................                               68
                          Regional Relationships       ........................................         74

                    SELECTION OF COASTAL PEATLANDS RECOMMENDED FOR EVALUATION
                       BY THE CRITICAL AREAS PROGRAM       ....................................         81
                      .METHODS FOR THE RANKING AND SELECTION OF SITES FOR
                          RECOMMENDATION     .................................................          81
                          Significancy of Natural Features and Ranking of Sites             .........   81
                          Notes on the Significancy of Features at Disturbed Sites             ......   86
                          Site Classification     ...........................................           87

                                                                                                     2

                           RESULTS                                                           ...  88
                             Summary o     e Classification of the Pea lands of the
                               . Study Area   ...............................................     88
                             Sites Recommended for Evaluation as Possible Critical Areas ..       89
                             Sites Likely Suitable for Evaluation as Potential Critical
                                  Areas  ....................................................   127
                             The Smaller Peatlands   ................... e .................... 128
                             Shrub Slope Peatlands    ........................................  128
                             Summary of the Natural Significance of the Coastal Raised
                                  Bogs  .....................................................   130
                             Annotated Inventory and Classification of Possible Peatlands
                                  in the Study Area (Table 4)   ..............................  134

                       GENERAL EVALUATION OF COASTAL RAISED PEATLANDS FOR INCLUSION ON
                          THE REGISTER OF CRITICAL AREAS    ..................................  156

                       RECOMMENDATIONS   ....................................................   160

                       GLOSSARY   ...........................................................   161

                       LITERATURE CITED   ...................................................   168

                                                                                                    3

                                                LIST OF FIGURES

                  Figure 1.     Location of the study area and the Coastal Region
                                of raised peatlands in eastern Maine     ....................    9

                  Figure 2.     Eastern North American distribution of coastal
                                plateau peatlands, Scirpus lawn communities, and
                                the phenomenon of minerotrophic species on om-
                                brotrophic peats    ........................................     14

                  Figure 3.     Distribution of major plant communities on a
                                coastal plateau peatland    .................................    22

                  Figure 4.     Cross-section of a coastal plateau peatland and
                                a nearby domed peatland    ..................................    22

                  Figure 5.     The "hollowless plain" phenomenon     .......................    24

                  Figure 6.     The major physiognomic vegetation units     .................    24

                  Figure 7.     Sheep laurel   ............................................      36
                  Figure 8.     Sphagnum fuscum   ..........................................     36

                  Figure 9.     Black crowberry   .........................................      36

                  Figure 10.    Baked-apple berry    .......................................     37

                  Figure 11.    Scirpus cespitosus    ......................................     37

                  Figure 12.    Sweet gale   ...............................................     38

                  Figure  13.   Common juniper  ..........................................       38

                  Figure  14.   Dwarf huckleberry    .......................................     39

                  Figure  15.   Labrador tea   ............................................      39

                  Figure  16.   Leather-leaf   .............................................     39

                  Figure  17.   Cladopodiella fluitans    ..................................     41

                  Figure  18.   Bladderwort.  .............................................      41

                  Figure  19.   Three-leaved false Solomon's seal     ........................   42

                  Figure  20.   Carex exilis   ............................................      42

                  Figure  21.   Cotton-grass   ............................................      42

                  Figure  22.   Beak-rush   ...............................................      43

                                                                                                             4

                        Figure 23.     Rhodora    ..................................................         43

                        Figure 24.     Blue-joint grass     ........................................         44

                        Figure 25.     Grass-@pink   ..............................................          48

                        Figure 26.     Swamp-pink    ..............................................          48

                        Figure 27.     Bog goldenrod    ...........................................          49

                        Figure  28.    Pitcher plant    ...........................................          49

                        Figure  29.    Intermediate-leaved sundew       ..............................       50

                        Figure  30.    Round-leaved sundew      .....................................        50

                        Figure  31.    Small cranberry     .........................................         50

                        Figure  32.    Cross-sections of South Trescott, Heath and Carrying
                                       Place Cove Bog   ...........................................          55

                        Figure  33.    Relation between major physiognomic vegetation units
                                       and water table positions       ...............................       58

                        Figure  34.    Idealized cross-section through a coastal raised peat-
                                       land with "offset" height       ...............................       64

                        Figure  35.    Variat4on in peatlands along a continental-maritime
                                       gradient    ................................................          76

                        Figure  36.    Variation in peatlands along a south-north gradient           .....   77
                        Figure  37.    Evaluation Criteria Score Sheet      ................  * .........    82

                        Figure  38.-   Summary Table of Significancy Criteria Scoring for
                                       Coastal Raised Peatlands      ................................        '85

                        Figure 39.     Location of recommended coastal raised peatlands          ........    94

                        N.B. Figures 7, 9-16, 18-31 from Gleason (1963), used by permission of the
                               publisher. Figure 8 from Schofield (1969b), Figure 17 from Schuster
                               (1953).

                                                                                                5

                                                 LIST OF TABLES

                  Table 1.      Principal differences between the larger raised
                                peatlands of the Coastal Region and those in
                                nearby inland regions   ....................................    25

                  Table 2.      Location and size of Coastal Raised Peatlands
                                recommended for evaluation as possible Critical
                                Areas   ...................................................     90

                  Table 3.      Significancy ranking of   recommended sites   ...............   92

                  Table 4.      Annotated inventory and classification of possible
                                peatlands in the study area    .............................    134

                                                 Acknowledgements

                          Numerous institutions and individuals have been most helpful in the
                     preparation of this report.

                          I thank the Maine Bureau of Geology for use of aerial photography, maps
                     and facilities, the U.S. Soil Conservation Service for published and unpub-
                     lished soil surveys, the Environmental Program, the Botany Department, and
                     the Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station of the University of Vermont for
                     various assistance, most notably the outstanding typing by Deborah Hough, the
                     International Peat Moss Company for a tour of their facilities, the United
                     States Navy for permissi'on to visit sites within their property, several real
                     estate agencies for access to their local knowledge of ownerships, and the,
                     Critical Areas Program for assistance and encouragement throughout.

                          Thank you A. W. H. Damman, Charles Richards, Radcliff Pike, Jenny Cirone,
                     Les Eastman, Fay Hyland and Paul Favour for sharing your botanical expertise
                     and favorite peatlands, and Janet Sullivan and Mark Rooks for visiting many
                     peatlands with me. The local peatland knowledge provided by Mr. Gordon Kelley
                     of Jonesport and Mr. Robert Ackley of Cutler are especially appreciated.
                     Expert reviewing by Harry Tyler, Jr., and Liz Thompson have made the report
                     readable, and it is the vision of Hank that has made it a reality.

                          This report is presented in celebration of the long life of Mrs. Jenny
                     Cirone of South Addison whose years in that community and on Nash Island
                     typify the human heritage of this coast. To Paul Favour of Northeast Harbor
                     this report is dedicated, in honor of his wisdom of the natural landscape,
                     his many years of devoted work in Maine and the Northeast, and the especial
                     love.he has for Mt. Desert Island's Big Reath.

                                               INTRODUCTION

                      This report has two major sections. In the first there is a rather
                 lengthy description of the raised peatlands of the most coastal portion
                 of eastern Maine. This section highlights the distinctive features of these
                 peatlands and why they are different from other kinds of peatlands that one
                 might encounter in eastern North America or elsewhere in the world. The
                 second section evaluates the significancy of these peatlands and recommends
                 that several be considered for inclusion on the register of Critical Areas.
                 A glossary appears at the end of the report.

                      Throughout this report the term "peatland" is used.for all portions
                 of the vegetated landscape underlain by partially decomposed organic material
                 (peat); many persons employ the term "bog" in exactly this way. There is
                 an immense diversity of types of peatlands, and many are elevated, raised
                 mounds of peat above adjacent terrain. A common technical use of the word
                 "bog" refers only to raised peatlands. Since nearly all peatlands with
                 which this report deals are raised, "bog" appears commonly in this report.

                      Within this part of Maine "heath" is commonly used for peatlands that
                 are treeless or that have only scattered trees. For many residents of the
                 region the term "heath" is unconsciously reserved for raised peatlands.
                 This report often employs this usage, especially in place names.

                      A final introductory note: this report is concerned with the raised
                 peatlands (or raised bogs) of eastern coastal Maine. The principai-features
                 of these peatlands are

                                        (a)  the several plant species and communities
                                             that inhabit raised peatlands only in
                                             eastern Maine immediately adjacent to the
                                             sea, and

                                        (b)  the specialized plateau topography (three-
                                             dimensional shape) of some of the coastal
                                             raised peatlands.

                 Not all peatlands have distinctive plateau topography. Most of the raised
                 peatlands, including all with plateau topography, have the coastal species
                 and communities.

                                            GENERAL METHODOLOGY

                     The general planning report on peatlands (Worley 1980a) in conjunction
                 with Worley and Sullivan (1979) provide a classification scheme for the
                 peatland types of Maine. Coastal Raised Bog is one type recommended for
                 study by the Critical Areas Program. The Coastal Plateau Bog, and type of
                 Coastal Raised Bog was recognized and described by Damman (1977), and his
                 work (see also Damman 1979a,b) forms the basis for much of this report.

                                                   7

                          After a thorough review of Damman's (1977) conclusions in the light
                     of other literature pertaining to the same section in Maine, a study area
                     (Figure 1) was chosen that would include all of Maine known to have Coastal
                     Plateau Bogs, and that would include some adjacent area in order to confirm
                     the location of the Coastal-Inland boundary. For ease of documentation,
                     the study area boundary follows U.S.G.S. quadrangle boundaries.

                          As an earlier investigation in 1977 to ascertain the diversity of Maine
                     peatlands had taken me to a number of these peatlands in the study area,
                     it was possible to compile an initial listing of all peatlands and potential
                     peatlands from U.S.G.S. topographical quadrangles. Fortunately most of the
                     quadrangles are of the 7!1' series, because the 15' series proved to be too
                     large a scale and too filled with inaccuracies with the designation, place-
                     ment, and size of wetlands. The master list was cross-referenced with exist-
                     ing literature for each site.

                          Once the master list was compiled, aerial photos, ranging in scale from
                     about 1:12,000 to 1:80,000 of the study area, were examined at the Maine,
                     Bureau of Geology. At that time many photos of large peatlands were absent.
                     After a further annotation of the master list from the aerial photo inspec-
                     tion, sites'for field checking in July and September, 1978, were selected
                     to include:

                          a) all sites well documented in the literature

                          b)  some sites on both sides of,the supposed boundary between Coastal
                              and Inland peatland regions

                          c)  sites at the easternmost and westernmost ends of the study area

                          d)  a thorough representation of sites in extreme maritime settings

                          e)  a large representation of sites mentioned in the literature

                          f)  most large sites

                          g)  roughly the same proportion of all possible peatlands within
                              different regions of the study area

                          h)  a total of approximately 50 sites

                          It was recognized that some potential Critical Areas might go unvisited
                     due to the limitation of contractual resources.

                          At each visited site locations, if any, were sought for overall views.
                     Most sites were crossed on foot in at least two directions with three to
                     several portions of the lagg (the margin of the peatland) visited. Informa-
                     tion was recorded on hand-held tape recorder and in field notebooks; photo-
                     graphs of salient features were taken. Small sites might receive a visit
                     of less than one hour's duration, most site visitations were 11-2-3 hours long,
                     with a few, at large peatlands, being several hours. Several sites were
                     visited more than once.

                                            H wlind                                                                                       TS NO       T6 NO Stream
                                                                Passa- Lowell                                                                               Pp                                                0
                                                                                                                                                          8             Pit                                 d@
               Orneville                                                                                                  T4 NO               P
                  T.p                     e                     dum.                                                                                                                           Princeton
                               Ugrange          dinburg                                                 T3 NO
                                                                keag                  Grand Falls                                                         T43 MD                                                                         Calais
                                                                         Sum ,                                                                                                         No 21                                             City
                                             Argyle                                           Pit                                         T42 MID            BPP          27     D       Pit           Alexander          Baring Pit
                   Br@df.rd                     Twp Greenbush                                                                 T41 MD           BPP                          B P
                                                                                                           T40 MD                                                                                                         eddy-
                                          Alton                                             T39 MD                                                          T37 MD T26             ED Crawford                          bemps
                                                                          Greenfield                                                         T36 MID                                                                            C    arlolle    or             %
                                                                                                                                          .     Bep              BPP            app                           Cooper                                             .1
                           H.d-n                                                                                                                                                                                                           4
              th                                                                                    Great     T34 MD          T35 MD             W A                         I              -T 0             N                           I @ %@
                                          Old Town              Milford                             Pond                                                          31 MD                          T19 ED                              4,         0                           Eastport
                   K@n -                     City                              T32 MD               Pit                                         T30 MD              Opp             Wesley           SPI,            No 14 Pit                                                City
                                                                                                                                 Devereaux          BPP
                                            Orono                                                                                   Twp
                                                                Bradley                                           T28 MO                                                                               T118 ED
                                                                                   Amherst          Aurora                                                        T25 MD                                  Opp               Marion       E    rids
                                   Veatie                                                                                                           T24 MD            BPP           Northfield                                  vp
                                                                                                                                     ddinvto            RPP
                                  Bangor                                                                                                                                                                                                                                c
                    Hermon          City                        et "') Clifton                                       T22 MD                                                                            AREA
                                                                                                              n
                                                                                        aria,ille       Osbor                             LIMIT                 OF           STUDY
                                                                                                           Pit
                                                   Holden                                                                                            . ..                           Centerv,lie
                    Himpd-                                                                                                T16    ID       Deblois        BPP                                                                               Culler
                                                                             Otis
                                    rrington
                                                                     n                                  Eastbrook                                                                          ones
                                                                Dedham
                                                                                                                                                            Columbia         7s+
                Ninterport                Bucksport                                                                                          herryfield
                                                                                                                          D
                                          H A                            C K              TS So Franklin                         10 SID
                  rankfort                                                                                                                                                    Addis-        0
                      0                          Ortand                 Ell worth                                                    T7
                           Prospect         Verona                            City         Hanc k                         1@1i.      SD     Steu                                                          cz
                           %QOL %oil                                                                                orrento
                           $960ts                                  Surry
                 Searspor                 Penobscot
                                                                                                                                                                              loop         als

                                          c,                    Blue Hill
                                                                                                    Bar Harbor                                                                                                          4S'
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                040
                rt         SI             r oks'nille                                     Mount                                                                                                                      4
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         4
                                                                                   0                          rt                                                                                                             41,0    %9
                                                                                                                    ranberry                C::)
                                                                                                                     Isles
                                                      Deer

                                                  Isle
                  North HA                                                                          L
                  X                              St nington               S an'                     Is Pit

                                                                Isle
                                                                Au
                                                                ut
                  .sion

                                                                           Figure 1. Location of the study area and the
                                                                           Coastal Region of raised peatlands in eastern
                                                                           Maine. The area known to contain Shrub Slope
                                                                           peatlands lies seaward of the dashed line.

                                                                                                  10

                           Field checks sought to determine the general character of the peatland,
                      and to note the presence, extent, and   quality of diagnostic features neces-
                      sary in establishing the significance   of the site. An annotated checklist
                      format was used, deviations therefrom   usually were the result of time limi-
                      tations. One field tape cassette was    inadvertently lost after visitations
                      were completed.

                           Near the completion of the field   work, a light aircraft was chartered
                      (September, 1978), and the study area   overflown at low altitude. Documen-
                      tation on this most useful endeavor was by tape, notebook, and photography--
                      the last being a crucial resource for subsequent evaluations and recommenda-
                      tions. The flight.sought to include about 60-70 percent of the sites in the
                      study area, including all those likely to be recommended, and many poten-
                      tially good sites that were not visited. Following, and because of, the
                      flight a few additional sites were visited.

                           Although the work by Damman (1977) presented distinguishing charac   ' ter-
                      istics for Coastal Raised Bog, as contrasted with Inland peatlands, his study
                      included far fewer sites than this work; furthermore, his concern was with
                      larger sites, whereas all sizes of peatlands were considered here. Conse-
                      quently, a classification of peatland types, or at least a recognition of
                      variation among peatlands, within the study area was necessary. Using the
                      concepts of Coastal Plateau Bog as given by Damman (1977) as a basis, other
                      types were recognized based upon the field work, and based upon the princi-
                      ples given in the general planning report (Worley 1980).

                                                  EXTENT OF KNOWLEDGE

                           Amazingly little is known about the Coastal Raised Peatlands of Maine.
                      It is only through the recent work of Professor A. W. H. Damman (1977, 1979a,
                      1979b, 1980) of the University of Connecticut that their ecology has begun
                      to be known. This report adds considerably to the.knowledge of the most
                      intriguing peatlands through the synthesis of previous work and the addition
                      of a large amount of new information. Several times the number of peatlands
                      visited by other researchers were field checked. No other workers have em-
                      ployed low elevation over-f lights and photography -some 159 peatlands were
                      overflown in this study. Even yet vast gaps exist in our knowledge of these
                      coastal peatland ecosystems.

                           Numbers and Sizes This study is by far the most complete numerical
                      inventory of peatlands in the coastal region. The Wetlands Inventory of the
                      Maine Bureau of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (McCall 1972) is sorely in-
                      complete in this part of the state as many to most of the raised peatlands
                      do not appear in the Inventory (Worley 1980a). The National Wetlands Inven-
                      tory of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reasonably accurate for larger
                      sites, but since the data base was 1:80,000 aerial photography, the smaller
                      sites are poorly assessed. Vegetation designations are very generalized
                      and lack field checking except in rare instances (Worley 1980a).

                        Climate Damman (1977, 1979a, 1979b, 1980) and Johnson (1977) have
                  documented the importance of the maritime climatic effect in a general way,
                  but strictly climatic studies, and careful testing Qf the hypotheses put
                  forth by Damman, Johnson, Thompson (1979), and me (in this report) are lack-
                  ing. Weather stations within the coastal peatland region are exceedingly
                  sparse, and very incompletely document the maritime climate. Moreover,
                  their records have not been analyzed with peatlands in mind. Past climates
                  have not been determined through peat analysis anywhere in this coastal
                  area.

                        Geomorphology An understanding of the geomorphic relationship between
                  the underlying and adjacent landscape with the origin, development and main-
                  tenance of the coastal raised bogs is almost totally lacking.

                        Hy rology Damman (1977, 1979b, 1980) has discussed and hypothesized
                  some of the gross physical and chemical hydrological characteristics of
                  the larger coastal peatlands, with limited quantitative measurements. Thomp-
                  son (1979) noted gross patterns of surficial water flow on Great Wass Island.
                  Otherwise there is a complete void in knowledge concerning the water'relations
                  of these coastal peatlands, either as water functions in the life of the
                  peatland or as the peatland functions in the surrounding landscape.

                        Biota For over 90 percent of the peatlands there apparently exists
                  no biological information. Relatively-complete vascular plant species check-
                  lists occur only for parts of South Trescott Heath, Carrying Place Cove
                  Bog (both done by Osvald in 1927 and reported in 1955), and the larger
                  Great Wass Island peatlands (Thompson 1979). The species lists of Damman
                  (1977) are not site specific. Fernald and Wiegand (1910) noted some species
                  of interest at a few sitesiand Eastman (1978) reports herbarium records
                  of some rare plants that were collected from the region. No thorough enumer-
                  ation of bryophytes exists, though Osvald (1955), Damman (1977) and the
                  general bryological literature lists several species. No doubt a search
                  of herbaria. and the taxonomic literature would add additional species.
                  I am unacquainted with any publications on the algae, fungi or bacteria
                  of the coastal peatlands.

                        Large mammal surveys  and bird counts possibly exist for a few peatlands,
                  but these were not sought   out by me. There appear to be no mammal, bird,
                  invertebrate, or microorganism investigations, especially as they relate
                  to the peatland ecology.

                        Phytosociological analyses, food chain and web determinations, biomass
                  and productivity studies, population analyses, physiological and genetic
                  inquiries, succession studies, and other ecological investigations are com-
                  pletely lacking.

                        Peat Except for the few cores made by Bastin and Davis (1909), Osvald
                  (1955), and Cameron (1975), and the casual observations made by Osvald (1955),
                  Dachnowski (1926, 1929), Dachnowski-Stokes (1930, 1933), and a few others
                  about the exposed peats at Carrying Place Cove Bog, the scientific examination
                  and inventory of the peats of this coastal region is nil. Possibly the
                  records of mining activity at the Jonesport Heath might add some information.

                                                                                             12

                          The three-dimensional shape of the peat deposits, their stratigraphy ,
                     and their physical, biotic, chemical and hydrologic characteristics are
                     essentially unknown.

                          Time To my knowledge not a single radiocarbon date, pollen, fossil,
                     or sediment analysis, or geomorphic determination is available for these
                     peatlands. There has been no dating of origin, development, or specific
                     events in the history of any one of the peatlands. No studies have been
                     made of growth rates, peat deposition and decay rates, recovery times (or
                     modes) after disturbance, etc.

                          Man Mining activity has never been carefully documented, although
                     some records should be available. For example, peat mining of some sort
                     existed at the Jonesport Heath prior to 1944 (Trefethen and Bradford, 1933),
                     but what kind, on what part of the peatland, and the date of beginning re-
                     main to be discovered. Records of other human activity stem mostly from
                     hearsay, and lack documentation. The frequency and severity of fire is
                     unknown, as is the duration of fire history. Wood cutting, sheep grazing
                    ,(as on southern Great Wass Island), military development, and other past
                     disturbances have not been researched in any way. The contemporary magnitudes
                     and . effects of acid rains, hunting, tourism, road building, etc., are
                     totally unassessed. The effects upon the peatlands by past or present legis-
                     lation concerning water, landscape, energy, wildlife, military, mining,
                     zoning, etc., has not been investigated. Unknown is the relationship of
                     these "heaths" with the sociology of the region or the state, historically
                     or in the future, especially with respect to perceptions of ownership and
                     landscape as they interact with value;,,, mores, and rights.

                          Future work I feel that at this time the topics most crucially in
                     need of study are: the sociological perceptions of the coastal raised peat-
                     lands, vegetation growth rates and peat deposition ecology, post-disturbance
                     recovery modes and rates, and hydrologic relationships with surrounding
                     landscape. That is, how are these coastal raised peatlands viewed and valued,
                     how do they grow, how do they heal, and as wetlands what is their role in
                     the quality and abundance of water in the landscape?

                           THE SIGNIFICANCE OF COASTAL RAISED PEATLANDS IN MAINE
                   A@D THE IMPORTANCE OF THEIR INCLUSION IN THE CRITICAL AREAS REGISTER

                     Within NewEngland, elsewhere in North America, and the world as well,
                 open peatlands long have attracted interest and curiosity. Especially in-
                 triguing are raised peatlands, ecosystems capable of changing a landscape's
                 topography, re-routing streams, elevating water tables, maintaining their
                 own water apart from the ground water table, altering water chemistry, re-
                 taining ground frost well into growing seasons, altering local weather pat-
                 terns such as cold air drainage and wind turbulence, and eliminating other
                 ecosystems, including foreststhrough drowning or physical invasion. Raised
                 peatlands, by their morphology, topography, vegetation constituents and
                 pattern, and surface water characteristics denote local and regional climatic
                 variation, often more significantly than any other biotic elements.

                     The coastal raised peatlands in Maine occupy an exceedingly narrow
                 band of islands, points, and headlands along the eastern coast of the state
                 (Figure 2), defining a climatic region that extends into neighboring New
                 Brunswick. Similar coastal peatland phenomena also occur on portions of
                 the coasts of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Raised, slope, and blanket peat-
                 lands in extreme coastal environments are well known elsewhere in North
                 America along the northern Pacific coast, in northern Europe (notably in the
                 British Isles and Scandinavia), and in other similar settings such as south-
                 western New Zealand and southern Patagonia. Thus, Maine's coastal raised
                 peatlands define a very specialized climatic and ecologic region, a region
                 whose global counterparts are very limited in number and extent.

                     The most distinctive raised peatland type in Maine's coastal region is
                 the Coastal Plateau Bog. These pronounced plateaus are nowhere common in the
                 world, occur in quite limited numbers in eastern North America, and are un-
                 reported from western North America. Thus, the few Coastal Plateau Bogs in
                 Maine are the only representatives of this distinctive peatland type known,
                 in the United States.

                     Amateur and professional botanists and ecologists have been attracted
                 to these peatlands for many decades, being especially interested in the flor-
                 istic composition with its very distinctive coastal elements, and in the
                 colorful displays of orchids in summer and shrub foliage in autumn. The coas-
                 tal distributions of species and communities are of state, regional, national,
                 and even continental significance.

                     Among all ecosystems, peatlands retain more of their antiquity than any
                 others. Maine's coastal raised peatlands may be as much as 9000 or so years
                 old. The remains of plants and animals, including pollen and insect exo-
                 skeletons, in peat deposits give clues to past environments and events. Be-
                 cause these coastal peatlands can document the post-Pleistocene coastal envi-
                 ronment, they are of regional significance. Moreover, the erosion of peats
                 by tidewater gives important data on past land/sea relationships. Of national
                 significance is the complete cross-sectional exposure of the Carrying Place
                 Cove Bog, which provides an outstanding opportunity for the study of raised
                 peatland development.

                                                   13

                                                                                             14

                                                                   'ILII I

                                                                       y I i I/   I

                                                                       T

                                                   W

                                                         it. I Zf-X 1K ICOASTAL
                                                                       PLATEAU

                                                                         PEATLANDS

                                    Figure 2. Eastern North American distribution
                                    of coastal plateau peatlands, Scirpus lawn
                                    communities, and the phenomenon of minero-
                                    trophic species on ombrotrophic peats. The
                                    area with vertical lines contains Scirpus
                                    cespitosus lawns (of the Scirpo-Sphagnetum)
                                    on ombrotrophic peatland. The area with
                                    horizontal lines has ombrotrophic peatlands
                                    containing species restricted to minero-
                                    trophic sites in other parts of eastern North
                                    America. Adapted-.from Damman (1977, 1979b,
                                    and 1980).

                                                                                             15

                        The economic significance of the coastal raised peatlands has taken
                   only two expressions, peat as a commodity, and peatland landscape preserved
                   for its natural.qualities. Forest products, berry crops, faunal harvest,
                   wildlife habitat, hydrologic reservoirs, and flood control have not been ex-
                   ploited economically; in some cases there is no potential, in others no
                   interest. The deposits of peat, especially the poorly decomposed Sphagnum
                   peats in the upper layers of the raised Peat masses, have been considered
                   and harvested for several uses, including surgical dressings, bedding, insul-
                          energy, and packaged horticultural peat. Some of the least decomposed,
                   most Sphagnum rich peats occur in the coastal raised peatlands, a phenomenon
                   of state significance. A few deposits are fairly large and have economic
                   significance locally, perhaps at the state level. Sporadic mining has taken
                   place in the past; one mine operates now, several mines are contemplated.
                   Present and anticipated economic return are meager compared with income
                   from peatlands in neighboring Canada and the Lake States.

                        The monetary value of natural, undisturbed peatlands has increased sharp-
                   ly in recent years. As natural landscape feature% several coastal peatlands
                   enjoy considerable protection and recognition. The peatlands of Great Wass
                   Island were significant in the purchasing by The Nature Conservancy of the
                   southern part,of the island for $1,000,000. The State of Maine owns Carrying
                   Place Cbv-e BoX which is recommended for National Natural Landmark Registry.
                   The "Big Heath" is maintained as a natural-area within Acadia National Park.

                        The natural landscape of Maine has long been perceived to have distinc-
                   tive regions, places whose character has strongly shaped local societies and
                   individuals.  Coastal eastern Maine is one of the most distinctive of those
                   regions, with its unique dialects, mores, and cultural history so evidently
                   influenced by the extreme oceanic climate, coastal environment, and landscape
                   of coniferous forests broken by open "heaths" and local blueberry barrens.
                   That the coastal raised peatlands (or "heaths") have a subtle but deep sig-
                   nificance in the development and maintenance of a local culture is reflected
                   in the common reference to "our heaths".

                        In areas of the world where peatlands are scarce, the peatlands often
                   receive considerable visitor use. In Maine, because there are so many peat-
                   lands, few are heavily visited. Furthermore, many persons do not enjoy the
                   wetness of many sites, the biting insects in season (which, incidentally,
                   are less abundant in coastal peatlands), and the often difficult access.
                   Most scenic appreciation comes from the vistas provided by the openness of
                   the peatlands, and the physiognomic similarity of the peatlands to Arctic
                   ecosystems. Peatlands within the sound or sight of ocean surf hold especial
                   fascination. The coastal raised peatlands are significant at the local,
                   state, and national level in their openness, accessibility, and proximity
                   to open ocean.

                        In summary, the coastal raised peatlands of Maine are distinctive feat-
                   ures of the natural environment and heritage of this state and are most ap-
                   propriate for inclusion in the Critical Areas Register. These peatlands are
                   highly specialized, have distinct but limited global relatives, and contain
                   the only Coastal Plateau Bogs known in this nation. They contain natural
                   features with local to continental significance. As landscape features
                   they are of interest to scientists and the general public. They are valued
                   as scientific resources, natural classrooms, and as aesthetic wonders for

                                                                                            16

                      their uniqueness and beauty. Locally they participate in the maintenance
                      of regional cultural characteristics. The monetary value of their natural
                      features is rising sharply. A few contain deposits of local economic sig-
                      nificance.

                         NATURAL HISTORY AND ECOLOGY OF THE COASTAL RAISED PEATLANDS

                                    THE COASTAL REGION OF RAISED PEATLANDS

                 Location and Diagnostic Peatland Features

                      From the sou'thern tip of Mt. Desert Island to Lubec lies a narrow
                 strip of coastal Maine (Figure 1) with peatlands having distinctive features
                 resulting from their immediate proximity  to the sea. In this "Coastal
                 Region" are found:

                      a)   clearly raised plateau peatlands with steep margins,
                      b)   sedge lawns of Scirpus cespitosus* occupying the central, upper
                           elevations of the larger, raised plateau peatlands,
                      c)   abundant baked-apple berry (Rubus chamaemorus) and black crowberry
                           (Empetrum nigrum), and their communities,.on raised peats,
                      d)   species, such as common juniper (Juniperus communis), that pri-
                           marily grow in more nutrient-rich sites thriving on the nutrient-
                           poor, ombrotrophic peatlands, and
                      .e)  undulating plains,' essentially those without hollows,-of Sphagnum
                           fuscum** in the upper elevations of the raised peatlands, plains
                           in which shrubs are sparse and diminutive.

                      Additional diagnostic and characteristic features of the coastal
                 raised peatlands, appear in later sections of this report.

                 Physiography

                      The coastline of rocky islands,.points and peninsulas with intervening
                 bays, coves, and tidal rivers of the Coastal Region extends from West Quoddy
                 Head, the easternmost point of the United States, at least to the southern
                 tip of Mt. Desert Island. Most of the rolling topography lies between 20
                 and 100 feet in elevation, except near Cutler and on the Schoodic Peninsula
                 where 100-170 feet elevations prevail. The occasional, prominent hills

                   There is no common name for Scirpus cespitosus. One could call it "tufted
                 bulrush" after the Latin scientific name, but I feel this name improperly
                 conveys the lawn habit assumed by this short member of the sedge family.
                 Consequently, rather than invent a contrived common name, none is used.

                     There is no common name for Sphagnum fuscum.- Restricted to raised
                 peatlands, this medium sized peat moss is the most truly@brown of the 30
                 or so Sphagnum species in the Coastal Region.

                                                     17

                       rarely exceed 300 feet in elevation, and are commonly less than 220 feet
                       tall.@ This coastal region is distinguished by its paucity of natural lakes,
                       especially when compared with adjacent inland areas.

                            Streams vary in size from seasonal to small rivers; gradients are
                       shallow so water flow is relatively slow with white waters and falls essen-
                       tially absent. Freshwater backwaters, deadwaters, and abandoned meanders
                       are rare, whereas tidal wetlands are locally extensive along streams.

                            Igneous and metamorphic bedrock prevails, overlain by glacial till and
                       loutwash modified by marine activity and overlain by clays and other ocean
                       sediments. All except the highest elevations were inundated by the sea in
                       the early post-glacial period. The coastline is now slowly submerging follow-
                       ing its maximum exposure a few millenia ago.

                            Soils are various and incompletely surveyed (Rourke et al., Ferwerda
                       persi comm.).    Uplands are predominantly Lyman,.ScanticTa@-d Peru soils
                       (Rourke et al.1978) and undifferentiated Histosols (organic soils) fill
                       most lowlands. In extreme maritime environments immediately adjacent to
                       the sea, such as southern Great Wass Island, Histosols also occupy sloping
                       upland terrain. Bedrock outcrops are common, especially near the sea.

                       Climate

                            The extreme maritime climate of the Coastal Region is well known for
                       its high rainfall, considerable fog, moderated temperatures, and lack of
                       persistent snow cover. Damman (1977, 1979b), Johnson (1977), and Davis (1965)
                       have considered the ecological effects upon the vegetation.

                            The maritime climate of the Coastal Region (Anon. 1979) must be gener-
                       alized since there are very limited records from zone itself (Davis 1965).
                       Variation in a number of climatic factors parallel the Maine coastline.
                       The mean minimum January temperature along the outer tips of the islands is
                       140F, and in most of the Coastal Region it is 120F (in contrast with the
                       northern Maine mean minimum of OOF). The region has the greatest Normal
                       Annual Precipitation in Maine (perhaps exclusive of a few mountain summits
                       or upper slopes), 48 or more inches per year. Sites less than a mile from
                       the sea may receive substantially more rainfall. Only about 20 days per
                       year does one or more inches of snow fall, and the average.period of contin-
                       uous snow cover is less than 50days (probably quite a bit less on outer points
                       and islands), which contrasts with greater than 125 days in northern and
                       western Maine.

                                                                            0
                            The mean July maximum temperatures are below 78  , but decrease rapidly
                       eastward to less than 700 at West Quoddy Head, which has the coolest summers
                       of any place in Maine (except, perhaps, for some high mountain summits). The
                       freeze-free season length is greater than 140.days, exceeding 160 days in the
                       eastern-most part of the Coastal Region, contrasting with less than 80 days
                       in northwestern Maine.

                            Great Wass Island is one of the most exposed sites on the Maine coast
                       according to the Davis marine exposure index (Davis 1966, see also Johnson
                       1977). Thompson (1979) notes:

                                                                                                    19

                                            in@summer the temperature is often perceptibly
                               lower at the southern end than at the northern end of the
                               island, there is usually a sea breeze along the southern
                               shore (even when there is none inland), and the area often
                               receives fog when just a few miles inland it is clear."
                          Great Wass Island has a mean maximum January temperature of 30-320F,
                    higher than any other Maine area except the central coastal region. Mean
                    maximum and minimum July temperatures (74     0- 760F and 520-540F) are among
                    the lowest in the state. Precipitation is underestimated since fog drip is
                    not measured. Fog signals operate for about 400 hours during July and
                    August (Fobes, 1946, in Thompson 1979), or about 27% of the time. Vogelmann
                    (unpublished data, 1979) has determined (on Camel's Hump Mountain, Vermont)
                    that low vegetation may intercept and drip several times the amount of pre-
                    cipitation that is recorded in conventional rain measuring devices. Thus,
                    the southern Great Wass Island peatlands may have an effective precipitation
                    far over 100 inches per year.

                          Damman (1977) determined "temperature differences between inland peat-
                    lands, some located only 7 km (4.3 miles) from salt water and 25 km (18
                    miles) from the coast line, and coastal bogs" by the sucrose inversion
                    method:

                                    "Average temperatures during the vegetative season
                               in the inland bogs are 2.5-30C (4.5-5.40F) higher than
                               in the coastal ones, and almost 40C (7.-20F) higher than
                               in the very exposed bogs of Campobello Island and Quoddy
                               Neck. This is a considerable temperature difference,
                               the magnitude-of which is better appreciated if one real-
                               izes that this corresponds to an altitudinal change of
                               500-600 m (1640-1960 ft) and 800 m (2620 ft), respect-
                               ively."

                          The average annual temperature at depths 2.5-4.5 cm (1-1.8 in) below
                    the surface of Sphagnum carpets for the period June 8 to September            16
                    (100 days) for three Coastal Plateau peatlands was (data from Damman 1977,
                    Table 4):

                                                Carrying Place        Jonesport      Kelley Point
                                                  Cove Bog             Heath             Heath
                    Sphagnum fuscum 1970       15.70 C (60.3 0F)                     16.50C (61.  70F)
                        hummock         1971   17.30 C (63.1 0F)  18.2 0C (64.80F)   18..@@i'C (64.60F)

                    Sphagnum rubellum              0         0                           0        .0
                       carpet along. 1970      15.80 C (60.4 0F)                     16.90C (62.4 0F)
                       pool             1971   17.5 C (63.5 F),                      18.7 C 65.7 F

                          Note that hummocks   are cooler than   hollows, and temperatures increase
                    to the southwest. The former corresponds with the persistance of ground
                    frost; ice beneathsome hummocks may persist into at least July in the east-
                    ernmost portions of the Coastal Region.

                                       PEATLANDS OF THE COASTAL REGION.

                 Discovery of the Coastal Peatland Phenomenon

                      Although a number,of investigators (Shaler 1887, 1890, Ganong 1891,
                 1897, Bastin and Davis 1909, C.A. Davis 1909, Fernald and Wiegand 1910,
                 Bastin and Williams 1914, Burr 1917, Nichols 1919, Osvald 1928, 1.955,1970,
                 Waksman and Stevens 1929, Dachnowski 1929, Dachnowski-Stokes 1930, 1933,
                 Rigg 1940, Trefethen and Bradford 1944, Deevey 1951, Kennedy 1963, Cameron
                 1975, Johnson 1977, Damman 1977, 1979a,b, 1980, and J. Davis and White
                 1979) reported that eastern Maine contained New England's only raised
                 peatlands, few recognized or documented variation with distance from the
                 sea.

                      Among the first to recognize the Coastal Peatland Region were Fernald
                 and Wiegand (1910) who reported

                            "In the heaths or raised peatbogs which abound close
                      to the sea in this outermost coastal strip of eastern Maine
                      are many other sub-arctic plants which disappear abruptly
                      when we go inland only a short distance - often only a few
                      yards - from theshores of the Bay of Fundy or the Atlantic.
                      The heath-formation occurs not only in depressions or on
                      plains where the close carpet of Sphagnum, Empetrum, and Rubus
                      arches toward the center into a low dome, but in many places
                      near the sea this heath - or bog - vegetation climbs the
                      rocky hummocks and slopes, thus forming a continuous undula ting
                      or even abruptly sloping boggy carpet such as is familiar in
                      the alpine region of many of our mountains.        In general
                      this narrow coastal subarctic strip extends along the outer
                      mainland and islands to Great Cranberry Isle."

                      Thus, not only did they recognize the Coastal Region, but they described
                 Shrub Slope peatlands (see later in this report) which were not noted again
                 until the work of Worley (unpublished data, also Worley and Sullivan 1979)
                 and Thompson (1979).

                      Perhaps because of his knowledge of maritime influences in the peat-
                 lands of northern Europe, the British Isles and Scandinavia, Osvald (1928,
                 1954, 1955, 1970) noted the presence of a maritime peatland phenomenon in
                 Maine, and made a major point of the maritime differences in the Canadian
                 Maritime Provinces. He visited (Osvald 1955, 1970) peatlands in 1927 near
                 Sydney (Sydney Bog), Hermon (Hermon Bog and Hermon Center Bog), Deblois
                 (Denbo Heath and Bog Stream Heath), South Trescott (South Trescott.Bog)
                 and Lubec (Carrying Place Cove Bog). Only the last two did he consider
                 coastal, even though the Deblois peatlands are but 20 miles from the sea.

                      Osvald (1955, p. 110) concluded:

                                                      20

                                                                                             21

                                      "In north-eastern Maine, several types of raised
                                bog occur. There is a gradual transition from slightly
                                raised bogs in the middle part of Maine to conspicuously
                                domed inland bogs in northern Maine, and from the fairly
                                wet inland bogs to the rather dry coastal bogs."

                          He further commented that the coastal peatlands have a greater im-
                      portance of lichens beneath dwarf shrubs, and may have a "relatively high
                      frequency" of Scirpus cespitosus. Alliance with extreme maritime peat-
                      lands of eastern New Brunswick and Cape Breton Island was noted, especial
                      emphasis placed upon the presence of the Scirpus.

                          Recently, A. W. H. Damman (1977) of the University of Connecticut
                      documented the "strikingly different topography and vegetation cover of
                      the bogs in a narrow coastal belt," and proposed several ecological factors
                      as important causative agent's (1977, 1979a,b, 1980). His work is thoroughly
                      discussed in this report.

                      The Coastal PlateauPeatland

                          This section gives a brief description of the Coastal Plateau peatland,
                      its shape and plant communities., Additional detail follows in later sections.

                          The Bay of Fundy region (Damman 1977) of Coastal Plateau Peatlands and
                      Coastal vegetation dominance types extends from the southern,tip of Mt.
                      Desert Island to slightly east of the mouth of.the St. John River (Damman
                      1977, 1980; Gemmell and Keys 1979), never more than a few miles from the
                      ocean. This small region of specialized peatlands and communities (Damman
                      1977, 1979a, 1980) contains a minor proportion of the peatlands and peat-
                      land acreage of Maine (Worley 1980a) and New Brunswick (Gemmell and Keys
                      1979). None of the peatlands are nearly as large as many of the peatlands
                      that occur inland, from east central Maine (Worley 1980a) to the north-
                      eastern coast of New.Brunswick (Gemmell and Keys 1979).

                          Coastal Plateau Peatlands occur elsewhere in North America (Figure 2)
                      along the Nova Scotian coast and the west coast of Newfoundland (Damman
                      1977, 1979b).

                          The larger peatlands of the Coastal Region are plateaus with a simple,
                      concentric zonation of a few plant communities (Figure 3). Along the margins
                      of the plateaus are well developed laggs or moats with low herbs and
                      Sphagnum (notably the Smilacina-Sphagnum pulchrum community), tall grass
                      meadows of blue-joint grass (Calamagrostis canadensis), thickets of rhodora
                      (Rhododendron canadense), leather-leaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata), and/or
                      sweet gale (Myrica gale), or forests of black spruce (Picea mariana) or
                      larch (Larix laricina) with various understories. The pronounced plateau
                      slope rises abruptly 3-10 feet above the laggs. Overall 1:20-30, this
                      slope locally may be as steep as 1:3-5. The steeper slopes usually have
                      wet depressions, mud bottom communities, and/or occasional small ponds.

                                                                                                                                                         22

                                                                                           lo

                                                                               C=

                                                        Fig. 4. Water level fluctuations and distribution of plant commu-
                                                        nities on a transect through Jonesport bog. a large plateau bog in
                                                        the coastal belt. For communities with an irregular surface the
                                                        water level extremes are shown with respect to both average
                                                        hollow and hummock surface.

                                                   Figore 3. Distribution of major plant
                                                   communities and water.level fluctuations
                                                   on a coastal plateau peatland. Repro-
                                                   duced from Damman (1977, Figure 4).

                                                                                 WDDYSEMPS
                                                        10
                                                                                 7@

                                                                                   JONESPORT

                                                                                                  4M

                                                        Fig. 2. Cross-section  through an convex raised bog (Meddy-
                                                        bemps Heath) and a coastal plateau bog (Jonesport bog), Note
                                                        that the coastal bog has been drawn at twice the scale of the
                                                        inland bog. The abrupt change in slope on the right side of the
                                                        profile through Meddybemps Heath is a slump zone resulting
                                                        from erosion by the brook.

                                                        Figure 4. Cross-section of a coastal
                                                         1
                                                        P@ateau peatland and a nearby domed
                                                        peatland. Reproduced from Damman
                                                        (1977, Figure 2).

                                                                                               23

                      The lowest portions of the slope may have leather-leaf and/or rhodora
                      (but generally not nearly as extensively as at some inland peatlands),
                      or open low forest whose trees become much shorter on the upper portions
                      of the slope. The. remainder of the slope is dominated by Kalmia-Sphagnum
                      fuscum communities, the sheep laurel (Kalmia angustifolia) being quite
                      abundant.

                           Instead of the bog slope continuing.to rise forming a-dome (a common
                      inland phenomenon) it flattens (Figure 4). The larger the peatland the
                      greater proportion of plateau. As the slope levels the hummocky E @lmia-@
                      Sphagnum fuscum communities become replaced by the Em2etrum-Sphagnum fuscum
                      community. As one approaches the central regions of the plateau, this
                      community may become "hollowless" plains (Figure 5), in which. 'Sphagnum
                      fuscum forms a firm, slightly undulating continuous surface, mostly devoid
                      of discrete hollows, that has very sparse, exceedingly sho -rt shrub growth
                      seldom more than 2-5 inches tall. Locally black crowberry (Empetrum
                      nigrum) may achieve 30-50 percent cover.

                           The central zone of the-largest plateaus has nearly continuous Scirpus-
                      Sphagnum. fuscum lawns (Figure 6). Hummocks or ridges are virtually absent,
                      as are ponds or discrete ephemeral pools. Wet depressions and mud bottom
                      communities do not exceed 5-10 percent of the area. Commonly the vegetated
                      surface is dominated by Scirpus cespitosus lawns, some areas with carpets
                      of *Sphagnum rubellum and S. flavicomans. Sphagnum fuscum varies in abundance,
                      but its low cushions are small and scattered. Very wet most of the time,
                      this central plateau zone is flooded in the spring and after heavy rains,
                      with water levels even during drought within 16 cm (6.3 in.) of the surface
                      (Damman 1977).

                           The graphically simple plateau topography and vegetation zonation
                      occurs only at the Jonesport Heath, the Kelly Point.Peatland Complex and
                      at Carrying Place Cove Bog (which has much natural disturbance). Most
                      other sites have topographic and vegetation variation. Some of the varia-
                      tions are discussed later in this report.

                           A more complete discussion of the character of the Coastal Plateau
                      Peatland, its topography and vegetation, its differences from inland,types,
                      and the ecological factors that cause and maintain its character are given
                      by Damman (1977, also 1979b and 1980).

                      Coastal vs. Inland Peatland Variation

                           The "principal differences between the bogs in and outside the coastal
                      zone" (Table 1) given by Damman (1977, Table 3) primarily compare the Coastal
                      Region only with the immediately adjacent inland terrain, and refer specifi-
                      cally to the largest peatlands in an area:

                                      "The differences in the topography of the coastal
                                 and inland bogs . . ., as well as those in the vegetation
                                 cover, are most clearly expressed in large peat bogs.

                                                                                                             24

                                            HUMMOCK-
                                              HOLLOW

                                                                     "HOLLOWLESS"        PLAIN

                                                                 PEAT

                                              DWARF SHRUB

                                              SPHAGNUM

                                              RUBUS CHAhiAEMORUS

                                              SCIRPUS CESPITOSUS.

                                         Figure 5. The "hollowless plain" phenomenon of
                                         the coastal raised peatlands. Note that the
                                         plain is at approximately the same height as           the
                                         hummock tops.

                                            HUMMOCK     -
                                              HOLLOW

                                                                      LAWN
                                                                                      M U D
                                                                                   BOTTOM

                                                            P E A

                                              DWARF SHRUB

                                              SPHAGNUM

                                              LICHEN

                                              SCIRPUS

                                        Figure 6. The major physiognomic. vegetation units
                                        of the coastal raised peatland plain. Note that
                                                                 T

                                        the mud bottom areas are lower than the hollows
                                        and lawns.

                                                                                                                                                  25

                                       Table 3. Principal differences between the bogs in and outside the coastal zone.

                                                             Inland                                                           Coastal

                                       Domed but with very gentle barely  visible slopes               Clearly raised platcau with obvious bog slope and
                                                                                                           almost flat central part
                                       Tre:s and patches of forest often  present in the               Trees restricted to the bog slope
                                           entral, ombrotrophic parts of  the bog
                                          (presumably trees covered most  of this
                                          originally)

                                       Dwarf shrub communities cover almost the entire                 Dmarf shrub communities only on slopes and edge of
                                          bog surface                                                      plateau; Scirpus cospitosus lawn communities
                                                                                                           cover the plateau

                                       Bog moat (lagg) poorly defined                                  Bog moat often well-developed

                                       Pools common in bog center. Mud bottom                          Bog pools rare. Mud bottoms cover very little area
                                          vegetation unimportant and almost restricted                     but can occur anywhere on plateau; most common
                                          to area with bog pools                                           in disturbed areas

                                       Gradual change from minerotrophic to ombrotrophic               Mineral soil water limit clearly v  isible in vegetation
                                          conditions; mineral soil water limit obscure,                    and topography
                                          can only be recognized in floristic composition
                                          of vegetation

                                       Gaylussacia community'restricted to these bogs                  Scirp    Sphagnum fuscum and Empetrum@Sphagnum fuscum
                                                                                                           communities restricted to these bogs

                                       Empetrum nigrum and Scirpus cespitosus occttr                   Rubus chamaemorus, Empetrum n1grum and    @rus
                                          very locally; Rubus chamaemorus absent*                          cesPitosus extremely abundant

                                        For other floristic differences see section on distribution of, individual species.

                                                      Table 1. Principal differences between the
                                                      larger raised peatlands of the Coastal Re-
                                                      gion and those in nearby inland regions.
                                                      Reproduced from Damman (1977), marginal let-
                                                      ters added.

                                                                                          26

                             Size affects peat depth, the relative importance of
                             minerotrophic water from the surrounding uplands,
                             as well as the direct effect of surrounding hills
                             and fores ts on wind force and snow drifting. In
                             many small peat bogs, these local environmental
                             factors may overrule the regional factors or con-
                             found the vegetation pattern. . .. . In general,
                             the small bogs will deviate increasingly from the
                             regional pattern the more rugged the topography,
                             the nutrient-richer the surrounding mineral soil
                             areas, and the higher and more uninterrupted the
                             forest surrounding the bog." (Damman 1977, p. 140)

                 Thus, the distinctions are derived primarily from a few large sites such
                 as the Kelley Point Peatland Cqmplex (coastal) and the Great Heath (inland),
                 and not the many smaller peatlands in both regions. However, each of the
                 distinctions of Table 1 can be qualified to have broader applicability:

                      a),  Of the inland domed bogs that I have visited, a few locally have
                           an obvious bog slope forming part of their margin. Likewise, some
                           of the coastal plateau peatlands, especially many of the smaller
                               "ands,have marginal bog slopes with little rise or a barely
                           pean
                           perceptible slope. As Cameron (1975) notes, plateau-form peatlands
                           occur in both inland and coastal regions., though the inland
                           plateaus have less distinctive rise and lower elevations. Runaway
                           Pond Heath north of Machias is considered a plateau by Car@eron
                           (1975) and an inland bog by Damman (1977), whereas Larrabee Heath,
                           south of Machias, is considered a plateau by Cameron (1975) and a
                           coastal plateau by Damman (1977). Both peatlands have quite
                           similar surface topographies, being not large plateaus with
                           central areas that are very shallow domes rather than flat ex
                           panses, with Larrabee Heath slightly more elevated (Cameron 1975).
                           Only Larrabee Heath has coastal communities and species.

                      b)   Many of the smaller, coastal peatlands have open canopy tree growth
                           over some or all of their raised surface. The trees are progress-
                           ively less tall to the center of the peatland, always less than 6 ft.
                           in height (often 3 ft. or less) in the central region. Similarly,
                           although some inland raised peatlands have trees in their central
                           region, there are many devoid of trees except at their margins, as
                           well as many either uniformly covered with trees,(closed or open
                           canopies), or partially covered with trees with tree heights and
                           densities less in the central regions. Damman (1977) suggests that
                           open inland peatlando are maintained treeless by fire. Perhaps
                           true for some sites, fire maintained treelessness cannot account
                           for the hundreds of open, inland peatlands.
                      C)   Damman's (1977) distinction needs qualification for coastal
                           peatlands, for not all coastal peatlands have Scirpus cespitosus
                           lawn communities, nor are dwarf shrub heaths restricted to mar-
                           ginal slopes and plateau edges. In some cases Scirpus dominated
                           lawns occur not centrally on the plateau but marginally at
                           slightly lower elevations. When Scirpus joins beak-rush (Rhyncho-
                           spora), cotton-grasses (Eriophorum spp.), or sedges (Carex spp.)
                           in soaks, marginal moats, or fens, it is not just a coastal

                                                                                          27

                               phenomenon, for'such associations are not uncommon in the intetior
                               (Osvald 1970; Damman 1977, 1979b, 1980; R. B. Davis and Sawyer
                               1978; Worley, personal observations). Damman (1977, Table 1)
                               notes Scirpus lawns for interior sites for the Chamaedaphne-
                               Sphagnum rubellum vegetation unit, which.occupies large depressions
                               and filled-in pools, as well as along some pool margins. This
                               phenomenon occurs sporadically in the Coastal Region in the fens
                               that drain some raised peatlands, either along the raised peatland
                               margin, or directly away from the raised peatland. In most coastal
                               peatlands dwarf shrub communities extend over the entire raised
                               peatland. However, shrub height.and density are often lower to
                               very much lower at the highest elevations of the peatland. Char-
                               acteristically the Empetrum nigrum - Sphagnu fuscum community
                               becomes most prominent there. At times there may be broad ex-
                               panses of hollowless.Sphagnum fuscum with scarce dimunitive
                               black crowberry (Empet    nigrum) and scattered baked-apple
                               berry (Rubus chamaemorus) which is either robust or subdued.
                               Regardless of coastal or inland location, the distinctiveness of
                               laggs varies primarily with the character of the adjacent topo-
                               graphy and hydrology. At many peatlands there will be areas of
                               well-defined laggs, and other areas of poorly defined laggs.
                               Throughout Maine there are a great number of lagg types,and their
                               widths vary immensely.

                          e)   Inland sites vary considerably, many have no pools, some have over
                               50. Mud bottom communities similarly may be absent, abundant and
                               patterned, or limited and associated with pools. Bog pools are
                               indeed rare in the Coastal Region, being small and restricted to
                               the plateau margins or to marginal soaks, drains, or fens. There
                               are two noteworthy exceptions, occurring at the extremes of the
                               region. Big Heath at the southern tip of Mt. Desert Island has a
                               well-developed pond system quite unlike any other peatlands of the
                               region, possibly similar to those at Duck Pond Heath on Campobello
                               Island, New Brunswick, adjacent to the Maine border. The ponds
                               at the shoulders of the Carrying Place Cove Bog plateau are dis-
                               tinctive and persistent, having been described and photographed
                               in 1927 by Osvald (1955). At coastal peatlands mud bottom com-
                               munities are infrequent and scattered, except they are common at
                               disturbance sites (such as trails or mining scars), in laggs,
                               fens and drainac-eways, and along the steepest part of some mar-
                               ginal slopes of plateaus.

                          f)   The mineral soil water limit distinctions seem most applicable to
                               the largest raised peatlands and some of the more abruptly raised,
                               smaller, coastal peatlands.. At other large systems and many of the
                               smaller systems, regardless of the coastal-inland position, for
                               vegetation and/or topography, the recognition of mineral soil water
                               varies from obvious to obscure.

                                                                                            28

                       g)  The restrictions of communities to inland or coastal peatlands
                           have minor exceptions. Osvald (1970) does report the Empetrum.
                           nigrum-Sphagnum fuscum. community at Denbo Heath, an" inland
                           site. Black huckleberry (Gaylussacia,baccata) occurs locally
                           on some of the most maritime and exposed peatlands (e.g.,
                           Damman, 1977, Table 1, records the species at a coastal site;
                           Thompson, 1979, records the species on Great Wass Island peat-
                           lands). At peatlands very near.the sea, both black huckleberry
                           and dwarf huckleberry (Gaylussacia dumosa) grow on ombrotrophic
                           peat, the latter commonly as distinctive circular clones.
                           Thompson (1979) recorded dwarf huckleberry at seven of eight,
                           and black huckleberry at three of eight, locations in the six
                           principal peatlands of Great Wass Island. At the sites sampled
                           dwarf huckleberry had cover values ranging from 1 to 13 percent,
                           and black huckleberry ranged from 1 to 5 percent. Both species
                           can form nearly pure stands, sometimes as very distinctive
                           circular clones.

                       h)  Note that many coastal sites may have scarce or no Scirpus ces-
                           pitosus. Also, the abundance of black crowberry and baked-;@Pple
                           berry varies considerably from peatland to peatland, though they
                           are seldom scarce. Damman (1977, Table 1) also lists other
                           species "showing an affinity for oceanic conditions": Sphagnum.
                           imbricatum, Icmadophilum. ericetorum, bog goldenrod (Solidago
                           uliginosa), Cladonia terrae-novae, Sphagnum. flavicomans and
                           common juniper .(Juniperus communis). Because of their ease of-
                           recognition, the goldenrod and juniper are especially useful
                           indicators. Bog goldenrod is common to relatively abundant on
                           most coastal peatlands, whereas common juniper appears restricted
                           as a peatland species to only exposed-sites in the most oceanic
                           peatlands (a similar circumstance exists for the species in
                           the coastal peatlands of southeastern Alaska -    Worley 1980c).

                       Some of the conclusions of Osvald (1955, 1970) should be compared
                  with Damnan's (1977, 1979b), recognizing that Damman's work is the more
                  recent and thorough.

                       Osvald (1955) and Damman (1977) contradict each other with respect to
                  site wetness. Osvald's observations ("fairly wet inland bogs . . . rather
                  dry coastal bogs") were limited and casual, whereas Damman's results ("in
                  contrast to the inland bogs, the coastal bogs are wettest in the center")
                  were quantitative, although primarily restricted to two sites (Meddybemps
                  Heath and Jonesport Heath). No quantitative measurements of water levels
                  were made in this study, but I visited considerably more peatlands in the
                  coastal and inland regions than either Osvald or Damman. Damman's con-
                  clusions appear generally correct (especially at the largest sites), if
                  allowances are made for considerable variation among peatlands within each
                  zone. The variations are likely due not only to the climatic differences
                  noted by Damman, but also (especially for smaller sites) to the hydro-    .
                  geomorphic setting of each individua '1 peat.land, the height of the peatland
                  above the regional water table, the areal dimensions and configuration of

                                                                                                29

                      the peatland, the absolute slopes of the upper and marginal surfaces, and the
                      prominent vegetation types and character of the hummock and hollow topo-
                      graphy as they affect evapotranspiration.

                           Consequently, overall peatland wetness cannot be used to distinguish
                      coastal peatlands from inland peatlands, although it seems clear that for
                      the largest sites, at the highest elevations of the peatland, there is less
                      lowering of the water table seasonally at coastal sites, as documented by
                      Damman (1977).

                           Osvald's second distinction is the-greater importance of lichens
                      beneath dwarf shrubs in coastal peatlands. Damman (1977, 1979b, 1980)
                      makes*no comment concerning Maine in this regard, noting lichens in dwarf
                      shrub,,communities at all sampled locations. From his Table 1 (Damman
                      1977) can be calculated a mean lichen cover in dwarf shrub communities at
                      coastal peatlands of 40.4%., and 34.4% at inland sites, thus supporting,
                      though just barely, Osvald's observation. At coastal sites Damman lists
                      a range of 5 to 85% lichen cover per sample, whereas at inland sites the'
                      range is 10 to 65%. In this study no quantitative determinations were
                      made, but I have no disagreement-with Osvald or Damman. The lichen dis-
                      tinctions are likely more distinctive than-recorded, but confirmation
                      awaits further research. With such little difference. between inland and
                      coastal sites, and with such variation among sites, lichen cover cannot
                      be used as a differentiating criterion.

                           Osvald's third distinction, the abundance of.Scirpus cespitosus in
                      coastal peatlands is a major point of Damman's (1977, 1979b, 1980), noting
                      its diagnostic importance forthe peatland type.

                           Another investigator, Johnson (19.77), used 19 raised bogs in Washington
                      County, all within 40 miles of. the coast, as data sources for a mathematical
                      analysis ("principal components, multi-variate analysis") of the niches of
                      plant populations. Eight of these sites are coastal raised peatlands. His
                      study sought to identify environmental factors that best correlated with
                      vegetation composition variation, observing geographical correlation should
                      it exist. His results correspond well with the conclusions of Damman.

                           Two environmental factors were discovered, titled "salinity-snow cover"
                      and "ombrotrophy-mesotrophy." The first appears to be a coastal-inland
                      gradient, having good correlations with distance from.the coast and with
                      the Davis (maritime) exposure index (R. B. Davis 1966). Exchangeable metal
                      ions increase in concentration towards the sea, no'doubt the result of
                      airborne salts originating from sea spray. Fiber percent increases, and
                      peats are generally drier (although rainfall tends to be higher) near the
                      coast. Less snow cover near the coast is hypothesized as a principal
                      causative agent. The plant species diagnostic of the coastal end of the
                      environmental gradient are baked-apple berry (restricted to near the coast)
                      and black crowberry (in abundance only near the coast), along with small
                      cranberry (Vaccinium-oxycoccos), round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia),
                      and bog goldenrod. The greatest richness of species (n-umber of species per
                      unit area) occurs near the coast at medium-dry sites. The high richness comes

                                                                                               30

                  from herbs and mosses, not shrubs.

                       Thus, by niche analysis Johnson showed that the largest      share of
                  vegetation variance is related to mineral-ion concentration,      especially as
                  modified by atmospheric input owing to proximity to the sea,      and to the
                  amount of mineral soil ground water.. The first environmental factor,
                  and the first vegetation factor both display a coastal-inland gradient
                  whose sharpest distinction occurs between extreme coastal sites with
                  baked-apple berry and black crowberry, and more inland locations. This
                  distinction is mapped easily based upon the distribution of the combina-
                  tion of these two species, and corresponds exactly with the landward limit
                  of coastal raised peatlands. The second environmental factor, ombrotrophy-
                  mesotrophy, showed no geographical correlation and is not further discussed
                  .here.

                  Other Peatland Types

                       Unlike the central inland and southern parts of Maine, forested peat-
                  land appears uncommon to rare in the Coastal Region, except for that
                  whichborders or is otherwise contiguous with open peatlands. In the latter
                  case the open or semi-open area generally exceeds the forested area in
                  acreage. Thicket peatlands appear to be equally uncommon. One reason for
                  limited wooded peatland appears to be the absence of lakes (especially those
                  with bays), and freshwater rivers with deadwaters. However, since this study
                  made no attempt to locate wooded peatlands, some,or many, including potentially
                  significant ones, may have been overlooked.

                       Peatlands within the Coastal Region that are not forested, but differ
                  considerably from the types described in this report, are not many, and
                  do not seem to be of numerous types. At five sites, at least, there are
                  streamside, shrub-rich peatlands. Peatlands at the junction of Bagley
                  Brook and East Stream in Cutler and 0.8 mile northeast of Enoch Hill in
                  Whiting (and possibly the peatlands at 1.1 miles west and west-northwest of
                  Sandy River Beach in Jonesport) are shrub-rich, low plateaus whose raised
                  peats have displaced or entrapped streams. The peatlands at Ackley Pond
                  in Cutler, along Big Pond Stream on Petit Manan Point in Steuben, and north
                  and northwest of Forbes Pond in Gouldsboro have less distinctive raised
                  peats or consist solely of primary peats. Ackley Pond and Forbes Pond are
                  being filled by peatlands at stream mouths. The large Forbes Pond peatland
                  displays a classic geomorphology; the peatland, and perhaps the pond as well,
                  merit evaluation as a potential Critical Area.

                       At and near the upper reaches of Schooner Brook in Cutler, and north of
                  the Jonesport Heathiin Jonesport, large complexes of shrub and thicket wet-
                  lands, graminoid, sArub, and wooded fens, wet meadows, and streams may con-
                  tain various peatland types, and certainly are physiognomically very much
                  different from any peatlands described in this report.

                                                                                             31

                      Shrub Slope Peatlands

                           During visits to central and southern Great Wass Island, an undescribed
                      peatland type was discovered, one previously mentioned by Fernald and
                      Weigand (1910). A subsequent investigation was undertaken to document sub-
                      strate and peat topography, peat depth, composition, and degree of decom-
                      position, vegetation composition, vigor, and community patterns, certain
                      chemical and physical properties of the peat, and the composition of the
                      litter. The analysis of the data is complete, and manuscript preparation is
                      underway (Worley 1980b).

                           Still being assessed are the relationships of these peatlands with
                      other heathlands, including those on mineral soils, and with blanket peat-
                      lands, whose deeper peats support a different vegetation. That these Shrub
                      Slope peatlands occupy the terrain with the most exposed, rainy, foggy,
                      cool temperate, maritime climate on the Maine Coast is of considerable sig-
                      nigicance.

                           The Shrub Slope peatlands on Great Wass Island are best expressed and
                      most extensive in the southwastern portion of the island, but occur else-
                      where on the island at least as far northward as just south of Folkingham
                      Cove (Thompson 1979). This peatland type consists of several Ericaceous
                      shrubs, especially sheep laurel (Kalmia angustifolia) and leather-ieaf
                      (Chamaedaphne calvculata), forming dense cover over peats 4-16+ in. in
                      depth that lie over undulating bedrock with slopes at least as great as.
                      13 degrees. In some locations there occur black crowberry (Empetrum
                      nigrum) and/or Sphagnum spp. The peat  is little to moderately decomposed,
                      and has chemical properties reflective of an ombrotrophic setting adjacent
                      to the sea. A few pools were found on  the slopes. Trees, when present on
                      the shrub slopes, are somewhat to much stunted, and usually legs than several
                      decades old. Tree death on the slopes  is relatively common, and it appears
                      (though-not carefully documented) that the occasional trees are not colon-
                      izing the surface, for death and establishment are about equal. Charcoal,
                      ash, and tree wood seem to be absent in the peat, the age of which is un-
                      determined.

                           In the course of this study a few additional locations possibly having
                      Shrub Slope peatlands were noted  all at the heads of islands or peninsulas
                      that are very exposed to the sea (see later in this report).

                                         THE COASTAL RAISED PEATLANDS

                 Prominence

                      Frequency

                      Peatlands occur throughout the Coastal Region, being especially
                 numerous in the Cutler area, covering the highest proportion of the
                 landscape at Great Wass Island, and being the largest and most extensive
                 on the lower Jonesport peninsula.

                      The peatlands and associated wetlands of the Jonesport peninsula
                 form an extensive system extending from the central portions of the pen-
                 insula through the Jonesport Heath to Kelley Point. The bulk of these
                 peatlands lie in a NWN-SES line about 5 miles long, and are (at least in
                 places) underlain by gravels and sands, possibly of pro-glacial out'@Iash
                 origin, with subsequent marine modification. Along this axis there appear
                 to be significant ecological gradients.. At the northern end are diverse
                 wetlands including at least wet meadows, graminoid fens, and tall thickets;
                 in the center are the exemplar Coastal Plateau Peatlands; to the south is
                 the Kelley Point Peatland Complex, which includes fens, a Coastal Plateau
                 Peatland, and some Shrub Slope peatland. The full significance of this
                 gradient awaits discovery; it may be an expression of climatic variation,
                 substrate character, hydrologic regime, or some combination of these.
                 Clearly the maritime influence (especially fog, low cloud, mist, rainfall,
                 sea breeze and precipitation ionic content) increases to the south and
                 southeast.

                      On Great Wass Island peatlands occupy most depressions, especially in
                 the southern part of the island. An exceptionally humid, cool, temperate
                 climate prevails (Thompson 1979), as the extreme maritime setting of Great
                 Wass Island as it projects well into the Bay of Fundy produces the highest
                 Maine rainfalls, fog, mist,. or cloudnearly every day, and moderated temp-
                 eratures. Dry, sunny weather is rare; commonly sea fog protects the island,
                 or at least its southern portions, while sunny skies and dry, high pressure
                 prevails just landward. Consequently, not only do peatlands occupy depressions
                 and form raised plateaus, but the farther south one goes on the island the
                 greater the proportion of organic material in upland soils, with organic
                 soils predominating on upland in the southern third of the island, and the
                 more prominent becomes the Shrub Slope peatlands wherein shallow peat soils
                 with an ericaceous shrub cover covers many bedrock slopes.

                      In the vicinity of Cutler peatlands are nowhere large, but they are
                 notably numerous and express some variety in types. With increasing near-
                 ness to open tidewater, the peatlands have more prominent coastal morph-
                 ologies and communities. Less than 15 miles from the sea, the coastal
                 phenomena are nearly completely replaced by inland types. In addition to

                                                      32

                                                                                              33

                      the smallercoastal peatlands, there are occasional examples of other peat-
                      land types, such as Open Basin Lakeside, and Riverside Shore (c.f. Worley
                      and Sullivan 1979).

                           Most of the terrain upon which there are coastal peatland phenomena
                      is between 20 and 100 feet in.elevation. The peatlanda are most frequent
                      at the most abundant elevation in a.region; thus near Cutler and on the
                      Schood-ic Peninsula most peatlands are between 110 and 170 feet in eleva-
                      tion, whereas for the remainder of the Coastal Region 63% of the peat-
                      lands lie at elevations of 50 feet.or less and 81% are at 70 feet or less
                      elevation. Of the peatlands recommended for evaluation as potential
                      Critical Areas similar elevations prevail, only West Quoddy Head Heath
                      (110 feet) exceeds 70 feet elevation.

                           Size

                           Peatlands within the Coastal Region range in size from a fraction of
                      an acre to several hundreds of acres. Only the.Jonesport Heath (including
                      the North Unit) exceeds 500 acres, totalling perhaps as many as 900-1000
                      peatland acres. No more than five other sites exceed 200 peatland acres,
                      and not.many others have more than 125 acres of peatland. Most raised
                      peatlands are between 40 and 125 acres, and probably the most peatland
                      acreage and peat volume in the.Coastal Region occur in peatlands of this
                      size. A great many peatlands le8s than 40 acres are found throughout the
                      region; many are forested or shrubby, and it is not known what proportion
                      are raised.

                           The ability of the topography to so evidently limit the occurrence
                      and lateral spread of the ombrogenic peatlands indicates that the moisture
                      excess (c.f. Damman 1979b) which permits the formation of the Coastal
                      Plateau peatlands and other raised peatlands of the region is also a limit-
                      ing factor to continued expansion. Although even less than 10 acres is
                      sufficient to demonstrate a raised peatland morphology and coastal dwarf
                      shrub communities, plateau.development with central Scirpus lawns appears
                      to require a minimum of about 60 acres, achieving its full characteriza-
                      tion only at sites 130 acres or more in,size.

                           With increasing size, the peatlands have more evident and more simple
                      morphologies and community zonations. This is a direct result of the in-
                      creased ability of the raised peatland ecosystem, which receives its nutri-
                      ents andmoisture only from the atmosphere (except for the laggs, of course),
                      to ameliorate the localeffects of topography, ground water, and climate.

                           Of the sites recommended for evaluation as potential Critical Areas,
                      most are between 50 and 250 acres, the largest 420, the smallest 13*. The

                         Acreages given by Cameron (1975) for eight sites recommended by this re-
                      port average 17% less 'than the acreages determined here for the non-forested
                      portions of the peatlands (for three sites the'difference exceeds 30%)

                                                                                            34

                 non-forested portions of these sites are somewhat smaller,.occasionally
                 (as at Big Heath) considerably less. Ten of the sites have quite dis-
                 tinctively raised plateaus. The plateaus of Corea Heath, the "large unit"
                 of the Jonesport Heath, Larrabee Heath, Jonesport Heath North Unit, Great
                 Cranberry Island Heath and Kelley  Heath are between 170 and 103 acres,
                 the South Trescott Heath, Kelley Point Peatland Complex, and West Jones-
                 port Heath plateaus are between 79 and 59 acres, and the extant plateau of
                 Carrying Place Cove Bog is about 22 acres in size.

                 Biota

                      Plant Communities

                      A plant community, as used here, is an assemblage of plants commonly
                 found together. The community is recognizable by its'constituent species
                 and.the relative abundance of the individual species. This section lists
                 the different kinds of communities and the different communites reported
                 for peatlands in the Coastal Region. The taxonomic relationships of some
                 of the communities are also noted.

                      Quantitative site specific vegetation descriptions of a very limited
                 number of coastal peatlands have been made by Osvald (1955, see also 1970),
                 Damman (1977), Thompson (1979), and Worley (1980b). Osvald gives species
                 lists and some cover-abundance values for a few stations at both'Carrying
                 Place Cove Bog and South Trescott Heath; Damman presents synthetic commun-
                 ities based upon cover-abundance values taken at a few stations at Jones-
                 port Heath and possibly at a few other sites in Maine as well as some New
                 Brunswick sites; Thompson lists percent cover values for plants at three
                 locations in the Central Peatlands of Great Wass Island, and two locations
                 in the Southwest Peatland of that island, as well as giving verbal community
                 descriptions in conjunction with a vegetation map of southern Great Wass
                 Island; and Worley in a description of the Shrub Slope peatlands of Great
                 Wass Island includes cover values for plants at a few locations in the
                 Southwest Peatland..

                      Very brief, non-quantitative vegetation notations are give by Bastin
                 and Davis (1909) for South Trescott Heath, Fernald and Wiegand (1910) and
                 Dachnowski-Stokes (1930) for Carrying Place Cove Bog, Dachnowski (1926) for
                 West Jonesport Heath, and Rigg (1940) for Harrington Heath.

                      Seven peatlands in the study area were visited by Davis (Bastin and
                 Davis 1909) in 1906, five being coastal raised peatlands. These are cited
                 again in Burr (1917) and in Davis (1909). The terms "moss bog" and "heath"
                 used by Davis do not distinguish different peatland types (Nichols 1919).

                      None of these studies is a detailed phytosociological work, and the
                 stations are very few in number and mostly subjectively chosen. Consequent-
                 ly, Dominance and Sub-dominance Vegetation Types (Worley and Sullivan 1979)
                 are quite incompletely enumerated. Furthermore, the amount of vegetation

                                                                                                 35

                      variation perceived by one traversing a peatland clearly exceeds the
                      vegetation listing, there being considerable variation within the broad
                      community patterns presented here and by Damman (1977, 1979a,b, 1980).

                           Damman (1979a) contrasts the vegetation with its European counterparts
                      (see later in this report), and describes (Damman 1977, 1979b, 1980) the
                      eastern North American raised peatland vegetation pattern. The remainder
                      of this section reviews Damman's work, then adds Dominance Types from other
                      workers and from field work done in this study. This listing of Dominance
                      Types is grossly incomplete, especially for less frequent communities,
                      forest and tall shrub communities, lagg communities, and fen communities.

                           The principal communities of coastal raised peatlands can be grouped
                      in five categories: Dwarf Forest (Low Forest), Dwarf Shrub (Low Shrub),
                      Lawn, Mud Bottom, and Fen. Other categories remain to be described. The
                      most abundant communities (Dominance Types and Sub-Dominance Types) re-
                      cognized to date are:

                               Dwarf Forests
                                     Black spruce (Picea mariana) - (sub-dominance not reported)

                               Dwarf Shrub Heaths
                                     Sheep laurel (Kalmia angustifolia) - Sphagnum fuscum
                                     Sheep laurel - naked*
                                     Sheep laurel - lichen (Cladonia silvatica)
                                     Black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) - Sphagnum fuscum
                                     Black crowberry - naked*
                                     Leather-leaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata) - naked
                                     Dwarf huckleberry (Gaylussa7c-iadumosa) - S2hagnum spp.

                               Lawns
                                     Scirpus cespitosus - Sphagnum fuscum
                                     Scirpus cespitosus - Sphagnum rubellum

                               Mud Bottoms
                                     Bladderwort (Utricularia cornuta) - liverwort (Cladopodiella
                                         fluitans
                                     Sphagnum. cuspidatum - naked

                               Fens
                                     Three-leaved false Solomon's seal (Smilacina trifolia)
                                         Sphagnum pulchrum
                                     (other fens a@re -1isted below)

                      *"Naked" means there are no understory plants.

                                                                                        36

                      Dwarf Forests: Dwarf forest communities have not been studied, their
                 principal tree is black spruce, although tamarack (Larix laricina) may be
                 admixed.

                      Dwarf Shrub Heaths: The prominent dwarf shrub heath vegetation units
                 of ombrotrophic peatlands in the Coastal Region (Damman 1977, Table 1) of the
                 class Oxycocco - Sphagnetea, the Kalmia - Sphagnum fuscum heath and the
                 Empetrum - Sphagnum fuscum heath, belong to the Kalmio - Sphagnetum associ-
                 ation (Damman 1977, 1980; Pollett and Bridgewatp:-r-1973). This association
                 occurs throughout the raised peatland region of eastern North America to
                 some distance north and west of the St. Lawrence River (Damman 1980, Figure
                 3). Sheep laurel (Figure.7) is the dominant shrub, and Sphagnum fuscum
                 (Figure 8, a richly brown peat moss),.S. rubellum (a bright red or reddish-

                                                                                 MPETRUM

                        f

                         K. angustifolia

                                                                     Ix   21/2
                                                                     subsp, Eamesii
                                                                                      X 1/8

                                                                              X V2
                       X 1/2 YX 2                                 '@@@X 2 V,
                                                                     var. afropurpufeum

                 Figure 7. Sheep                                    Figure 9. Black
                 laurel, Kalmia                                     crowberry, Empetrum
                 ustifolia                                          nigrum.

                                                J

                                           Figure 8. Sphagnum
                                           fuscum (S. rubellum
                                           looks much the same)

                                                                                                        37

                                                                purple peat moss of similar size with
                                                                S. fuscum) or S. nemoreum prevail be-
                                                                neath; Cladonia species (lichens) are
                                                                often abundant, especially in burnt bogs
                                                                poor in Sphagnum.

                                                                     The Kalmia anRustifolia - Sphagnum
                                                                fuscum community,- documented by Damman
                         S. cespilosus                          (1977, Table 1), is characterized by a
                                                                12-16 in. high dwarf shrub layer with
                                                                various understories. In the Coastal
                                                                Region the community contains additional
                                                                species' such as black crowberry (Figure
                                                                9), baked-apple berry (Figure 10),
                                                                Sphagnum flavicomans, and Icmadophila
                                                                ericetorum. Low black spruce, tamarack,
                                                                or even jack pine (Pinus banksiana) trees
                                                                and shrubs occur locally.

                                                                     The Empetrum   nigrum    Sphagnum.
                             X2                      X5         fuscum community,   documented by Damman
                                                                1977, Table 1), is easily recognized by
                                                                the continuous, often "hollowless,"
                                                                Sphagnum fuscum carpet, the low height
                                                                (4 in. or so) of the sparse dwarf shrubs,
                                                                and the prominence of baked-apple berry
                                                                and black crowberry. In extreme coastal
                                           X10                  settings it may include abundant Sphagnum

                          Figure 11. Scirpus
                          -espitosus

                       imbricatum, scattered Scirpus cespitosus
                       (Figure 11), occasional sweet gale (Myrica
                       gAle, Figure 12), common juniper (Juniperus                            R. Chamaemorus
                       communis, Figure 13), and other species of
                       interest.

                             Osvald (1955, 1970) lists several
                       11sociation's" from coastal peatlands, a
                       sociation being a group of plants commonly                          XV2
                       found together, occupying a few square
                       feet or more, and generally equivalent to
                       11community" as used here. The dwarf                       Figure 10. Baked-apple
                       snrub sociations he lists are:                             berry, Rubus chamaemorus

                                                                                              38

                           Kalmia angustifolia    Cladonia
                             silvatica sociation
                           Naked Kalmia angustifolia sociation
                           Naked Chamaedaphne calyculata soc-
                             iati-on
                           Empetrum nigrum - Sphagnum fuscum
                             sociation
                           Naked Empetrum. nigrum sociation

                       Fernald and Wiegand (1910) mention  a
                  community dominated by dwarf huckleberry
                  (Figure 14) with an understory of Sphagnum                       M.Gale
                  spp., a community I have seen locally prom-
                  inent at sites very near the sea. Dach-
                  nowski (1926) noted at West Jonesport
                  Heath "a growth of low woody shrubs,
                  mainly Chamaedaphne, Andromeda,.Ledum,                     XY2
                  and Kalmia covers the surface but Empetrum
                  nigrum and Rubus.chamaemorus are also
                  abundant." The presence of bog rosemary
                  (Andromeda glaucophylla) may indicate              Figure 12. Sweet gale,
                  recent burning prior to Dachnowski's               Myrica gale
                  visit.

                                                                Osvald (1955, 1970), Damman
                                                            (1977), and Thompson (1979) list
                                                            many associated species in the
                                                            dwarf shrub heaths, whose' dominant
                                                            shrubs at most sites are sheep
                                                            laurel, Labrador tea (Ledum. Rroen-
                                                            landicum, Figure 15), Te-ather-leaf
                                                            (Chamaedaphne calyculata, Figure
                                      Ik,                   16), and/or black crowberry. Con-
                                                            siderable understory variation,
                                                            varying shrub composition, height,
                                          /V@
                                                            and vigor, along with differences
                                                            in hummock-hollow topography pro-
                                                            vide diverse peatland physiognomy
                                                            and often are important in the
                                                            formation of vegetation pattern
                                                            on a peatland. These features are
                         J. communis                        yet to be documented in detail.
                                         X Y2
                                                                Lawns: The prominent lawn
                                                            vegetation unit in the Coastal
                                                            Region (Damman 1977, Table 1) of
                                                            the class Oxycocco - Sphagnetea,
                         Figure 13. Common                  the Scirpus - Sphagnum fuscum
                         juniper, Juniperus                 lawn, belongs to the Scirpo -
                         communis                           Sphagnetum tenelli (Damman 1977,

                                                                                              39

                                         G. dumosa

                                       x 1/2

                             Figure 14. Dwarf huckleberry,
                             Gaylussacia dumosa

                                                                                  L. gr enlaild;cum

                                                                                X2     x Y2        X2

                                                                            Figure 15. Labrador tea,
                                                                            Ledum groenlandicum

                                    C. calyculara              1980; Wells 1976).  Occurring in
                                                               oceanic and sub-oceanic regions
                                                               (Damman 1980, Figure 2)., notably
                                                               coastal eastern Maine, southwestern
                                                               and northeastern coastal New Bruns-
                                                               wick, most of Nova Scotia, and New-
                                                               foundland, this association is dis-
                                        X2                     tinguished (Damman 1980) by Scirpus
                                                               cespitosus, Sphagnum flavicomans,
                                                               S. te
                                      19,                          nellum, Odontoschisma sphagni
                                     X 61/2     X 1/2          (a liverwort), and the lichen
                                                               Cladonia terrae-novae; dwarf huckle-
                                                               berry and swamp-pink (Arethusa
                                                               bulbosa) have their optimum in this
                                                               association.
                                 Figure 16. Leather-
                                 leaf, Chamaedaphne                The Scirpus cespitosus - Sphagnum
                                 calyculata                    fuscum community, documented by
                                                               Damman (1977, Table 1) has abundant
                                                               Scirpus cespitosus above Sphagnum spp.

                                                                                           40

                  (variously S. rubellum, S. flavicomans, S. fuscum, and/or S. tenellum).
                  Topographic differences are seldom greater than 4-6 in. in these wet bog
                  flats and broad depressions.

                       Osvald .(1955, 1970) recognizes the lawns as the Scirpus cespitosus -
                  Sphagnum rubellum sociation. No other author describes them.

                       Scirpus cespitosus lawns are far more abundant,in neighboring Canada.,
                  and their expression in Maine varie,@ from site ... to site. It appears that
                  there are two principal variations.here: at several sites the Scirpus is
                  less dense, the topographyis more.hummocky, and Sphagnum fuscum and baked-
                  apple berry are more prominent, at other sites Scripus lawns occur margin-
                  ally. The species composition of the marginal lawns is not known.

                       Mud Bottoms: From the class Rhynchosporetum albae Damman (1977, 1980)
                  documents the coastal mud bottom.vegetation unit Utricularia - Cladopodiella.
                  Regional variation in mud bottom communities are not yet determined (Damman
                  1980), though the southern communities, as in Maine, are distinguished by the
                  absence of Carex limosa and Scheuchzeria palustris.

                       Damman (1977) describes the mud bottoms:

                                "This includes wet depressions with much bare
                           peat and areas with a very loose Sphagnum carpet. In
                          .this region Sphagnum cuspidatum is the most important
                           species in these carpets. The physiognomy varies
                           greatly depending on whether Sphagnum 9pp. or Clado-
                           podiella fluitans* are dominant, and whether Utri-
                           cularia cornuta** is in flower.. The vegetation of
                           the mud bottoms of the ombrotrophic bogs of this
                           region can probably best be included in two commu-
                           nities: the Rhynchospora alba   Sphagnum cuspidatum
                           community*** and the Utricularia cornuta -.Clado-
                           podiella fluitans community. . . . The first occurs
                           primarily along the margins of pools and in depres-
                           sions with small water level changes or where the
                           Sphagnum mat can move with the water table. The
                           second community occupies the peaty depressions in
                           the bog. Both cover negligible areas in the bogs
                           of this region."

                   Figure 17.

                     Figure 18.

                       This community is not listed by Damman as occurring in the Coastal
                  Region, perhaps because of the limited development of ponds. I have seen
                  it along pools and minor stream courses in a few marginal fens or laggs.

                                                                                             41

                                                                                        X5

                                                                                       U. cornuta

                                                                            X Y2

                        Figure 17. The mud
                        bottom liverwort,
                        Cladopodiella fluitans                                                V/2

                                                                            Figure 18.  Bladderwort,
                                                                            Utricularia cornuta (the
                                                                            basal portion with leaves
                                                                            and bladders illustrated
                                                                            is from a related species
                                                                               vulgaris)

                          Nutrient-poor Fens: Also  within the Oxycocco    Sphagnetea is the
                     Smilacina - Sphagnum. pulchrum extremely nutrient-poor fen (Damman 1977,
                     TabTe -1) that occurs in the laggs of coastal raised peatlands. The Smi-
                     lacina trifolia - Sphagnum pulchrum community denotes the parts of ombro-
                     genic peatlands affected by minerotrophic ground'water, thus Sphagnum
                     papillosum, S. apiculatum, and S. flavicomans are also important. The
                     brightly colored, green to yellow-green leaves of the three-leaved false
                     Solomon's seal (Smilacina trifolia, Figure 19) clearly distinguish this
                     community, and hence the influence of ground water.

                          Thompson (1979) records several fens at Great Wass Island:

                              a)   Carex exilis (Figure 20) fen with common Scirpus cespitosus,.
                                   Eriophorum angustifolium and Rhynchospora alba.

                                                                                             42

                                                                         C. ex*l's

                                  S. trifolia

                                                                                        X2

                              X YZ

                   Figure 19. Three-leaved                             X2
                    false Solomon's seal, Smilacina
                    trifolia

                                                                                        X2

                                                                      X          X V2

                                   E. angustifolium
                                                                   Figure 20.  Carex exilis

                                        16
                                                          b)  Eriophorum angustifolium (Figure
                                                              21),
                                                                      virginicum, Scirpus ces
                                           X10                pitosus fen.

                                                          c)  Rhynchospora alba (Figure 22) fen
                                                              with common Eriophorum angusti-
                                                              folium, E. spissum, Carex paucl-
                                                              flora, and Eriophorum virginicum.

                                                          d)  Carex trisperma, Eriophorum vir-
                                        V                     ginicum,.K. angustifolium fen
                                                              with Rhynchospora alba, Scirpus
                                                              cespitosus and Smilacina trifolia.

                                X2          X10           e)  As (d) except that shrubs (Myrica
                       XY2                                    gale, Kalmia angustifolia, Pyrus
                                                              floribunda and Chamaedaphne
                                                              culata) are more abundant.
                    Figure  21. Cotton-grass,                 Juncus gerardi is also present.
                    Eriophorum angustifolium

                                                                                               43

                                                         f)    Scirpus cespitosus, Carex exilis,
                                                               Empetrum nigrum, Sphagnum spp. poor
                                                               fen.

                                                        Other  prominent fen communities, some on
                                                    ombrogenic peats, include those dominated by
                                                    leather-leaf, rhodora (Rhododendron canadense,
                                                    Figure 23), sweet gale (Myrica gale), speckled
                                                    alder (Alnus rugosa), black spruce, tamarack,
                                                    norther7n whiCe-cedar (Thuia occidentalis),
                                                    and blue-joint grass (Calamagrostis canadensis,
                                                    Figure 24). The species compositions of these
                                                    communities are not known.

                                     R. alba

                              X/2

                       Figure 22. Beak-rush,
                       Rhynchospora alba

                                                                          R.canadense

                                                                                   X Y2

                                                                Figure 23. Rhodora, Rhododendron
                                                                canadense

                                                                                          44

                                                       X10

                                                                                  X10

                                                          'X,O    C. canadensis
                                                               X Ie2

                                                   Figure 24. Blue-joint grass,
                                                   Calamagrostis canadensis

                      Damman (1980, Table 1), with lists of species, shows the major floristic
                 differences in eastern North America among dwarf shrub, lawn, and mud bottom
                 communities of the raised portions of the ombrotrophic peatlands:

                          Species essentially restrictedto dwarf shrub communities
                               Sphagnum fuscum                 Gaylussacia baccata
                               Kalmia angustifolia             Rubus chamaemorus
                               Vaccinium angustifolium         Sphagnum imbricatum
                               Empetrum nigrum                 Polytrichum strictum
                               Dicranum bergeri                Cladonia arbuscula
                               Cladonia alpestris

                          Species essentially.restricted to lawn communities
                               Scirpus cespitosus              Odontoschisma. sphagni
                               Sphagnum rubellum               Gaylussacia dumosa
                               Carex oligosperma               Arethusa bulbosa
                               Cladonia terrae-novae

                          Species essentially restricted to mud bottom communities
                               Utricularia cornuta             Cladopodiella fluitans
                               Drosera intermedia              Sphagnum cuspidatum

                                                                                                  45

                               Species of both lawn and mud bottom communities
                                     Eriophorum virginicum         Sphagnum tenellum
                                     Rhynchospora alba

                               Species of both dwarf shrub and lawn communities, with sporadic
                                     occurrence in mud bottom communities
                                     Chamaedaphne calyculata       Vaccinium. oxycoccos
                                     Eriophorum spissum            Sphagnum rubellum
                                     Cephalozia connivens          Kalmia polifolia
                                     Drosera rotundifolia          Ledum.groenlandicum
                                     Sphagnum magellanicum         Microlepidozia setacea
                                     Sarracenia purpurea           Andromeda glaucophylla
                                     Aronia floribunda             Mylia anomala
                                     Pohlia nutans

                           Additional species are listed by Damman (1977), Thompson (1979),
                      Worley (1980b), and Osvald (1955, 1970) for a total in excess of 100
                      specie's that are reported to grow on ombrogenic peatlands in the Coastal
                      Region.

                           Rare or Restricted Flora

                           Unlike the coastal peatlands of British Columbia and Alaska, which
                      have abundant rare,,restricted, endemic and highly disjunct vascular and
                      crytogamic species (Schofield-196-9-a-;___Woi@le_y IM, 197-4, 1�86c_; S.tre-veler-*
                      et al. 1974), the coastal peatlands of Maine are exceptionally     barren of
                      biogeographically interesting species,. a phenomenon noted by Fernald      and
                      Wiegand (1910) who described the region as "the sterile coastal region of
                      eastern Maine."

                           The most prominent such species are black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum
                      sensu lato), baked-apple berry (Rubus chamaemorus), and Scirpus cespitosus.
                      In Maine the first two are abundant along the eastern coast and locally
                      abundant on some mountains. Black crowberry also grows on some hummocks
                      of a few large inland raised peatlands. Scirpus cespitosus grows only very
                      locally on ombrotrophic peats in the inland, whereas it is common and
                      abundant throughout most of the state in various minerotrophic settings.

                           A moderate search of bryophyte literature, concentrating on the
                      liverworts among which are many of the most interesting disjunctions of
                      peatland plants (Worley 1972, 1980c), failed to produce any non-Sphagnaceous
                      species of the coastal peatlands whose distributions were noteworthy. No
                      such species were located at any of the sites, at least 15 minutes of each
                      visitation being spent looking at bryophytes (mostly in the most ombrotrophic
                      locations, and in and adjacent to ponds, wet depressions, and relatively wet
                      areas).

                           Damman (1977) comments on four Sphagnum species that are far more abun-
                      ,dant in the Coastal Region than inland: S. flavicomans, S. tenellum, S.

                                                                                            46

                 imbricatum, and S. pulchrum.

                      Among vascular plants Damman .(1977) notes that three species, sweet
                 gale (Myrica gale), bayberry (M. pensylvanica), and  common juniper (iHall_
                 erus communis) are "restricted to mineral soils and  minerotrophic bog
                 borders" in Maine, but "in the immediate vicinity of the coast they can
                 be found also on ombrotrophic peat." I agree except that I have never
                 seen the common juniper on a "minerotrophic bog border." Records compiled
                 in this study list common juniper at only seven peatlands, all in the most
                 maritime parts of the study area, very near open ocean:

                                          Big Heath, Acadia National Park
                                          Great Cranberry Island Heath
                                          Corea Heath
                                          Central Peatlands, Great Wass Island
                                          Southwest Peatland, Great Wass Island
                                          Boot Cove Heath
                                          Carrying Place Cove Bog

                      Fiv e vascular plant species listed by Eastman (1978) as rare in Maine
                 grow in peatlands of the Coastal Region. Baked-apple'berry is discussed
                 below, as is Empetrum atropurpureum. Only 28 citations are given for the
                 entire state for swamp-pink (Arethusa bulbosa). There must be at least
                 2-3 times that many peatlands in the Coastal Region with this species. My
                 visitations generally were after flowering times for this orchid, so no
                 notations were kept. Orchids, incidentally, appeared.to be locally abun-
                 dant in all coastal raised peatlands.

                      Also listed by Eastman is Geocaulon lividum; 11 collections are noted,
                 9 from interior mountains, 1 from "peat bog, Roque Bluffs," and one from
                 "heath at base of West Quoddy Head, Lubec" (the last two citations based
                 upon Fernald and Wiegand (1910). Stern (1979) has found G. lividum to be
                 not rare as formerly believed in the Mahoosuc Range of Maine and New Hamp-
                 shire. Similarly, this species probably grows at many or most coastal
                 raised peatlands. I am unfamiliar with the species, and did not seek it
                 out. The fifth species listed by Eastman, Carex rariflora, is only known
                 in Maine from "Bog, Petit Manan."

                      Lycopodium annotinum var. pungens was recorded by Fernald and Wiegand
                 (1910) on ombrotrophic peats at Boot Cove Heath and on Great Wass Island;
                 I found plants ascribable to this variety at the North Cutler Heaths.

                      Skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus -foetidus) occurs in several counties of
                 Maine (Hyland, pers. comm.), but is most common along the coast (Eastman,
                 pers. comm.). Most frequently a plant of wet meadows, woods, and thickets,
                 the plants become "sparse or absent" in the Sphagnous areas of peatlands
                 (Hyland, pers. comm.) except on some islands at the eastern limit of its
                 range, including Harbor Island in Muscongus Bay, Isle au Haut, Mount Desert
                 'Island, and Great Cranberry Isle (Eastman, pers. comm.), where plants grow
                 among Sphagnum along with swamp-pink, snake-mouth (Pogonia o hioglosso ides)-,---
                                                                             Op
                 and pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea    At least at Big Heath on Mount Desert
                 Island, this habitat is ombrotrophic.

                                                                                             47

                          Jack pine (Pinus banksiana) is listed by Eastman (1978) from a number
                     of sites scattered thr@o`ughout the state, none peatlands. It is known in the
                     Coastal Region in abundance on the Central Peatlands of Great Wass Island,
                     sparsely scattered on other Great Wass Island peatlands, rarely on the
                     margins of Corea Heath (Tyler, pers. comm.).

                          Baked-apple berry (Rubus chamaemorus), according to Eastman (1978) has
                     been collected 15 times within the study area in 8-10 different peatlands
                     that span the Coastal Region from "Bog in direction of West Quoddy Head near
                     sea" to "Great Heath, Great Cranberry Island." A few montane sites are re,-.-.
                     ported by Eastman (1978), Fawey (1976), Marchand (1977), and May and Davis'
                     (1978). Some 114 peatlands considered in this study very likely contain this
                     species. At 38 of these sites visited all had the species, often in consid-
                     erable abundance. The range of the species extends from the small peatland
                     in the center of West Quoddy Head, to Big Heath at the southern tip of Mount
                     Desert Island (where it flowers, but does not fruit). It rarely occurs
                     inland of the Coastal Region. The robustness of baked-apple berry corresponds
                     to shrub canopy (and perhaps jointly to nutrient availability), possibly re-
                     flecting insolation requirements. However, even the smallest plants in the
                     most shrub-free, exposed sites may fruit abundantly.

                          This study made no attempt to distinguish species, subspecies, or var-
                     ieties of Empetrum. Eastman (1978) accepts Empetrum atropurpureum Fern. &
                     Wieg., noting its occurrence at 11.1ocations in the state, 5 being in the
                     Coastal Region, including 2-3 peatland sites (Harrington Heath, a heath
                     on Great Wass Island, and a citation for the Jonesport area without habitat
                     indication). Damman (1977) considers Empetrum nigrum sensu lato, and states
                     that it "occurs commonly throughout eastern North America, and is the only
                     Empetrum in the bogs described here." All Empetrum plants encountered in
                     this study are considered Empetrum nigrum sensu lato, following Damman (1977).

                          Curly grass fern (Schizaea pusilla , whose disjunct North America
                     population (New Jersey Pine Barrens, Nova Scotia, Bruce County, Ontario) is
                     well known but lacks suitable explanation, was sought with diligence but not
                     found.

                          Aesthetic Flora

                          The diversity of habitats in peatlands, coupled with the vistas pos-
                     sible by their openness, provide many showy blossoms, spectacular and subtle
                     foliage displays, dwarf forests and natural bonsai trees, and frequent
                     occurrences of the intriguing carnivorous plants.

                         Foremost in beauty to many people are the intricate flowers of the
                     several species of orchids that inhabit the peatlands. Most common are
                     grass-pink (Calopogon pulchellus, Figure 25) and swamp-pink (Arethusa
                     bulbosa, Figure 26), whose bright reddish-pink flowers in some years are
                     in considerable abundance.

                                                                                         48

                      Colorful lilac-purple and
                 golden displays of bog aster (Aster
                 nemoralis) and bog goldenrod (Soli-
                 IE@o uliginosa, Figure 27) vary seasonally.
                 Baked-apple berry  (Rubus chamae-
                 morus) has a delical-ewhi-teflower
                 Th-at when in abundance is especially
                 attractive. Water lilies    Nuphar
                 variegatum) are scarce in the Coast-
                 al Region, but flower with typical
                 lushness. Wherever they occur,
                 especially in laggs, marginal fens,
                 and in mud bottom communities,
                 bladderworts (Utricularia cornuta)
                 often produce copious, brilliant

                                                                                    61
                                                                                     X1

                                                                               C. pulchellus

                                                                         x 1/2

                                                                      Figure 25. Grass-pink,
                                                                      Calopogon pulchellus

                                                            yellow flowers that stand as dwarf
                                                            meadows of color above shallow
                                                            water. The large, curiously shaped
                                                            flowers of the ubiquitous and often
                                                            abundant pitcher plant (Sarracenia
                                                            purpureat Figure 28) nod above the
                        40,x I
                                                            Sphagnum carpets, while the minia-
                          bulbosa             X,/.          ture sundews (Drosera intermedia,
                                                            Figure 29, and D. rotundifolia,
                                                            Figure 30) flowers must be sought
                                                            at close inspection.

                     Figure 26. Swamp-pink,                   Most of the shrubs have color-
                     Arethusa bulbosa                       ful and fragrant blossoms, whose

                                                                                                 49

                                                     shapes range from the expanded petals of the
                                                     laurels to the pendant bells of the blue-
                                                     berries. The red-pink laurel flowers (Kalmia
                                                     angustifolia and K. polifolia) ofttimes color
                                                     entire peatlands. Rhodora (Rhododendron
                                                     canadense) blooms before its leaves flush in
                                                     the spring, and in warm autumns there may be
                                                     a second flowering. Black chokeberry (Pyrus
                                                     melanocarpa flowers appear as white stars
                                                     amid green and brown leaves and mosses. Less
                                                     showy at a distance, but with great grace and
                                                     subtleness of design and color at closer in-
                                                     spection, are the flowers of the blueberries
                                                     (Vaccinum angustifolium), huckleberries

                             X2
                             S. Uligino a

                       Figure 27.   Bog
                       goldenrod, Solidago
                       uliginosa

                      (Gaylussacia dumosa and G. baccata),
                      cranberries (Vaccinium oxycoccos, Figure
                      31, and V. macrocarpon), black crowberry
                      (Empetrum nigrum), and Labrador tea
                      (Ledum groenlandicum).
                                                                            X/2
                          The three genera  of carnivorous
                      plants have quite different and re-
                      markable entrapment mechanisms. The
                      specialized cone-shaped leaves of the
                      pitcher plant have hairs along the
                      inside that prevent certain insects
                      from departing. Digestion takes place
                      enzymatically in the water solution                         S. purpurea
                      within the bottom of the leaf. Other
                      insects and spiders use the leaf for
                      protection, including a moth that
                      drains the leaf and sews it shut to            Figure 28. Pitcher plant,
                      form a home for its larvae.                    Sarracenia purpurea

                                                                                        50

                                  I.A                                        Y*rl

                                x 1/2
                                                                                   x 1/2
                                     D. intermedia
                                                                          D rotundifolia

                     Figure 29.  Intermediate-                    Figure 30. Round-leaved
                     leaved sundew, Drosera                       sundew, Drosera rotundifolia
                     intermedia

                                                               The sticky hairs that protrude
                                                          from the leaves of the sundews not
                                                          only can snare an insect, but ad-
                                                          jacent hairs further constrain the
                                                          captive, which is digested as it is
                                                          held tighly to the surface of the
                                                          leaf. Unlike these passive carni-
                                                          vores, the bladderworts (Utricularia
                                                          spp.) actively trap their prey in
                                                          minature buckets.

                                                               Summer foliage colors are most
                            V. OXYCOCCUS                  attractive close at hand, where the
                                                          myriad of Sphagnum. hues - greens,
                                                          golds, yellows, reds, purples, and
                                                          browns - provide backdrop for the
                                                          green, greenish brown, and sometimes
                                                          purplish green leaves of shrubs and
                                                          herbs. Deep red pitcher plants may
                             X1          XI/2             locally dominate the landscape, while
                     Figure 31. Small cranberry,          small, reddish entrapment leaves of
                     Vaccinium oxycoccos                  sundews, with their sticky droplets,
                                                          glisten at ground's surface.

                                                                                                 51

                          With the advent of autumn the dwarf shrubs trade greenness for reddish,
                     purplish,and brownish shades. The most striking of all the autumnal foliage,
                     the brilliant scarlets and reds of the huckleberries and blueberries rival any
                     deciduous forest for sheer intensity and depth of coloration. More subtle,
                     but rich in its purplish tint, rhodora highlights many peatland margins.

                          Many persons enjoy the flowers and.fruits of bog sedges and grasses.
                     The star-like cluster of fruits atop beak-rush (Rhynchospora alba) are esp-
                     ecially notable. A bane to deer hunters, the arching stalks of blue-joint
                     grass (Calamagrostis canadensis) in marginal fens are especially attractive
                     to those who delight watching waves of wind sway the tall grasses.

                          The broad, open landscape of peatlands often is accentuated by dwarfed
                     trees, primarily black spruce. At some sites a miniature forest has formed,
                     most of which lies below the height of man. In extremes of nutrient defi-
                     ciency and maritime climate, dwarfed and stunted trees form natural bonsai.
                     Both dwarf forests and bonsai take on an aura of mysteriousness when envel-
                     oped in the frequent fog of their oceanic habitat.

                          Edible Plants

                          Peatlands produce several kinds of importan@ and tasty small fruits.
                     The Coastal Region is the only place in the eastern United States where
                     baked-apple berry (Rubus chamaemorus) grows with sufficient abundance to
                     harvest. Considered a delicacy by some (especially in Scandinavia), it is
                     used as a table fruit, in desserts, in preserves, and in the production of
                     cloud--berry (another of its common names) liqueur. Once picked locally
                     with commonness, most baked-apple berries in the Coastal Region now go
                     unpicked. Several local persons talked about how their parents used to
                     pick pailfuls of the berries, but at present there are few actual pickers.

                          In the earlier parts of this century many of the peatlands were burned
                     periodically to enhance blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) production.
                     Commercial and personal blueberry fields on uplands have become so highly
                     developed that most peatland blueberry burning in the Coastal Region bas
                     been abandoned,. as has the picking of blueberries there.

                          The cranberries (Vaccinium oxycoccos and V.  macrocarpon) were formerly
                     sought much more commonly than now. With the availability of commercial
                     cranberries few persons now put forth the effort required to harvest the
                     scattered berries of the small cranberry @_V- oxycoccos) from among the
                     Sphagnum mat, or of the larger cranberry (_V. macrocarpon) which is in-
                     frequently, but sometimes locally abundant in wetter places at peatland
                     margins.

                          A few persons seek out black crowberry (Empetrum nig       for pre-
                     serves or desserts. Locally large quantities can be hand picked on many
                     of the most coastal peatlands.

                          The fragrant leaves of Labrador tea (Ledum groenlandicum) are har-

                                                                                          52

                 vested occasionally for local use, or to be commercially packaged for sale
                 in herbal or health food markets.

                      Foraging classes from the University of Maine have learned edible plants
                 of peatlands during study trips to Great.Wass Island.

                      In former times, as recorded by colonists and later observers, local
                 Indians used nearly every peatland plant for some purpose (Kovacs 1979).
                 For example, Sphagnum served as diapers for babies, the berry crops for
                 food, and the rarer plants for medicinal or spiritual needs. The early
                 colonists used the berry crops for desserts and preserves, and tried
                 nearly every other plant as aremedy for diarrhea and other internal dis-
                 orders.

                      Faun-a

                      Site visitations were too brief to assess fauna other than exceedingly
                 casually, and no attempt was made to research faunal constituents.

                      Some coastal peatlands have numerous deer trails, including trans-
                 portation trails crossing directly from one boundary to another, and
                 reticulate graze and browse trails in shrublands (Worley 1980a). Deer
                 herbivory appears minor, important only in dense thickets of shrubs 2-5
                 feet tall.

                      Other mammal use appears light. No mammals were seen during any of
                 my visitations (all made during daylight); medium and small-sized mammal
                 trails,runways, and dens were scarce, restricted to sparse mouse or vole
                 runways. The small mammal sign approximated that seen in coastal peatlands
                 insoutheastern Alaska during years with population lows (Terry 1977).

                      Birds were not observed to be abundant constituents in summer, except
                 for a resident population of gulls at West Jonesport Heath, and occasional
                 gulls at sites adjacent to shorelines. Gull middens include the remains of
                 clams, sea urchins, and other intertidal organisms. Plant growth (usually
                 hummock tops) is locally enriched by the nitrogen and calcium-rich debris,
                 but is,occasionally killed by excessive guano.

                      At Carrying Place Cove Bog swallows (probably bank swallows) nest in
                 the vertical, sea-cut peat cliff.

                      Other birds in the open peatlands were very low in density during any
                 of my visits (June, July, and September). Often no birds were heard for
                 long periods. Very occasionally a few smaller passerines (including sparrows)
                 would flit about the dwarf shrub communities. No nests were noted in any
                 open peatland; occasional nests were noted where woody vegetation exceeded
                 3 feet in height. Where trees were present, bird diversity and frequency
                 increased rapidly with increasing canopy closure. Raptor use appeared
                 limited; occasional hawks hunted in a few of the open.peatlands, and at
                 the North Cutler Heath a single hawk defended territory (possibly a nest-

                                                                                              53

                      ing site) in the open peatlands. Other than the gulls, no sign or sight-
                      ings of shorebirds or waterfowl were discovered, except, as can be expected,
                      at the shores of sea-cut sites and at the beaver pond of Larrabee.Heath.
                      Some use of the open peatlands by migrating species can be expected. Palm
                      warblers and Lincoln sparrows are known at Big Heath,,Mount Desert Island,
                      the former is also known on Great Wass Island.

                          Invertebrates were not enumerated. Insectivorous plants had ample
                      prey. Ant colonies occasionally inhabit higher hummocks with bog haircap
                      moss (Polytrichum strictum), as they do in Alaska as well (Worley 1977).
                      Spiders were seen in typical abundance. Biting insects are much less
                      numerous than at inland wetlands.

                      Origin and Deposits

                          Sufficiently detailed surficial geological information was not avail-
                      able for sites to permit description of relationships between the - surficial
                      geomorphology and the ontogeny and maintenance of the peatlands.

                          Limited basal substrate data by Dachnowski (1929), Dachnowski-Stokes
                      (1930), Osvald (1955, 1970), and Cameron (1975) suggest that the coastal
                      peatlands may have initiated in marshes, shallow lakes, or even outwash
                      flats with high water tables. Initiation likely required standing water
                      or persistent surface water tables, but upon peatland establishment paludi-
                      fication of surrounding terrain became possible.

                          Of the sites in the Coastal Region sampled by Cameron (1975) the
                      underlying mineral substrate is sand at 30% of the sites, and clay at
                      80% of the sites. The origins of the sands and clays were not. determined.

                          In nearby New Brunswick coastal peatlands appear to have needed only
                      very small, shallow ponds for their initiation (Korpijaakko and Radforth
                      1972), whereas the importance of initial water bodies becomes more important
                      at more inland sites. Paludification of mineral terrain then quickly fol-
                      lowed in coastalregions as Spha_gnum growth in the coastal environment caused
                      the building up and lateral expansion of the raised bogs (Figure 32).

                          The initiation of these peatlands began shortly after the.retreat of
                      the sea following the close of the Pleistocene. Kennedy (1963) determined
                      that peatlands near Belfast and Bangor,also requiring ocean retreat for
                      their beginnings, have basal peats 9648 and 9748 years old as determined by
                      radiocarbon dating.   . St. Andrews Bog, only a few miles into New Bruns-
                      wick from the Maine border, at an elevation of about 280 feet above present
                      sea level, has basal peats 7230 years old (Korpijaakko and Radforth 1972).

                          Peat deposits in the Coastal Region do not occupy deep basins, and
                      are not,known to exceed 18 feet in thickness, which includes raised peats
                      that extend above basin limits.

                                                                                          54

                       For 10 sites* sampled by Cameron (1975) in the Coastal Region there
                  is no correlation between acreage and either maximum or average depth of
                  peat. The maximum depths range from 8 to 18 feet (mean = 12) and the
                  average depths of peat range from 5-9 feet (mean = 6.1 feet)**. There
                  is a very weak correlation between maximum peat depth and the average
                  peat depth, suggesting the maximum to be twice the average. This cor-
                  relation may be an artifact of the sampling technique. For sites with
                  "Sphagnum moss peat" the maximum thickness ranges from 8 to 18 feet, with
                  a mean of 10.3 feet; these sites have maximum peat depths ranging from
                  8-18 feet as well, with a mean maximum peat depth of 12 feet. The ter-
                  tiary peats account for an average of 81% of the maximum depths. Thus,
                  one may generalize for the region then, that tertiary peatlands generally
                  have raised their local landscapes and water table 10 feet or more.

                       Data allowing a determination of lateral expansion beyond the basin
                  in which'the peatland initiated are almost lacking. Illustrations by
                  Damman (1977) and Osvald (1955) indicate such.expansion in cross-sectional
                  diagrams, but complete basins are not figured. Osvald (19,55) shows the
                  ability of the tertiary peats to lateraily ascend upland (Figure 32,
                  South Trescott Heath), in this case extending nearly 800 feet ENE of the
                  initiating.basin, to an elevation some 9.2 feet above the original water
                  level of the pond.

                       Osvald's (1955) profiles of the South Trescott Heath and the Carrying
                  Place Cove Bog show a developmental sequence of shallow pond or marsh
                  (cf. Dachnowski 1929), then sedge-Sphagnum fen in the primary basin and
                  producing secondary peats. Both sites were at least partly wooded there-
                  after,. a "swampy wood" at South Trescott, and trees atop'Sphagnum fuscum
                  bog at Carrying Place Cove Bog. Since that time tertiary peats have
                  elevated the growing surfaces as much as 15 feet.

                       Where peats are thickest at the 10 peatlands sampled by Cameron (1975),
                  four have "Sphagnum Moss Peat" from the surface to the base,,three have
                  "Peat" from the surface to the base, and three have Sphagnum Moss Peat over-
                  lying Peat, the former usually more than half the profile.. Commonly the
                  maximum depth recorded is very nearly the depth of tertiary peats. Thus,
                  the illustrations of Osvald (1955) may apply generally in the Coastal Region,

                    Not included are several of the largest sites, notably the Jonesport
                  Heath which is excluded by the U.S.G.S. policy of not providing data on
                  active mines or their reserves.

                     Maximum depths of peat at South Trescott Heath are 15 feet (Osvald 1955,
                  Cameron 1975). Based upon Osvald's work the average depth is 10.7 feet,
                  Bastin and Davis (1909) reported 6 holes with an average depth of 10.1 feet,
                  whereas Cameron (1975) gives an average depth of 5 feet.

                                                          2                                       4                       S                 6

                                 WSW                                                                                                                             ENE

                                            'L   L   L L      L   L L L L L L              L L      L   L    L  L L_ L L

                                                                                                                   1           2           3          4

                                                    F7                                                         N                                                S

                                                                 L                                                                        I- L L "L_ L

                                 Fig. 1. Transect profiles through South Trescott Bog from the south-western margin to the north-eastern (above) and through Carrying
                                 Place Cove Bog (below to the right). In both profiles the points where the soundings were made are Indicated by vertical U'nes. The
                                                                             points are numbered from the left-hand side.
                                 Legend- 1 - Sphagnum peat, slightly decomposed; 2 - Sphagnum peat, well decomposed, and wood-Sphognum peat with ]ayers of
                                 charcoal and ash; 3     sedge peat and Sphagnum - sedge peat; 4 - fine-detritus and coarse-detritus g.%Atja; 5 - sand; 6        clay.
                                                                                    Height to length scale 10 : 1.

                                                      Figure 32. Cross-sections of South Trescott Heath and
                                                      Carrying Place Cove Bog. Reproduced from Osvald (1955).

                                                                                                                                                                                             Ln
                                                                                                                                                                                             Ln

                                                                                         56

                  the'peatlands originating in shallow depressions without deep water. Pre-
                  sumably, the conversion from shallow water or wetland to peatland was
                  relatively rapid, with tertiary peat deposition having begun shortly there-
                  after. Dating by radiocarbon, subfossils, or other means is necessary to
                  determine the actual historical sequence.

                      Maximum depths of peat at Carrying Place Cove Bog range from 17 to
                  20.5 feet (Osvald 1955, Cameron 1975). Upper layers of the bog are Peat
                  according to Cameron's'classification and are little decomposed, having
                  von Post* values of 1-4 (Osvald 1955). Lower layers are more decomposed
                  with von Post values of 6-10 (Osvald 1555). At South Trescott Heath, the
                  Sphagnum. Moss Peat (Cameron 1975) in the upper seven feet has von Post
                  values of 2-4 and 5-8 (Osvald 1955), whereas the lower Peats (Cameron
                  1975) are well decomposed, with von Post values of 6-10 (Osvald 1955).
                  A few additional peat characteristics for these and a few other sites are
                  provided by Cameron (1975) and Bastin and Davis (1909).

                      The vigorous plant growth of dwarf shrub heath communities (as evi-
                  denced by a lack of bare peat and abundant-lichens, and by closely spaced,
                  relatively tall shrubs and/or a nearly complete Sphagnum. ground cover) on
                  some of the sites with the deepest peats (e.g., Larrabee, West Jonesport,
                  and South Trescott Heaths) as well as many of the less deep sites suggests
                  active deposition of tertiary peats and a continuing increase in peatland
                  height.

                      Undisturbed sites with clearly defined central areas with Scirpus
                  lawn communities (notably theJonesport Heath, Jonesport Heath North Unit,
                  Kelley Point Peatland Complex, and Carrying Place Cove Bog) may be at an
                  equilibrium (Osvald 1955, Damman 1977) with the losses of organic materials
                  equal to biomass production, at least in the lawn regions - lateral ex-
                  pansion of the peatlands.continues.

                      Pollen and other materials within  the peat deposits have not been
                  studied for peatlands of the Coastal Region; however, Korpijaakko and
                  Radforth (1972, Figure 6) correlate pollen zones from southern Connecticut
                  (M. B. Davis 1969), northeastern United States (Deevey and Flint 1957),
                  St. Lawrence Lowlands (Potzger and Courtemance 1953, 1956; Terasmae 1960),
                  Nova Scotia (Livingstone 1968), and southern Finland (Donner 1969) with
                  their own work from New Brunswick. There is considerable agreement, with
                  principal changes in pollen composition roughly 9900, 9400, 8500, 7700,
                  6800, 5000, and 2300 years ago. Presumably most of the pollen changes
                  indicate ecological responses to climatic shifts. Thus, one would expect
                  peatland character to have changed as well, although this is little doc-
                  umented in the Coastal Region (c.f. Osvald 1955, Dachnowski-Stokes 1930,
                  and Korpijaakko and Radforth 1972).

                      The Potzger and Friesner (1948) palynological studies at six peatlands
                  from northern Mount Desert Island to west of Rockport just outside of the
                  Coastal Region yielded similar results.

                    See Glossary

                                                                                                    57

                      Ecology

                            Hydrologic Effects

                            In eastern North American ombrotrophic peatlands, hydrology determines
                      the relative abundance of the three major structural and floristic vegetation
                      units (Figure 33) according to Damman (1980):

                                a) mud bottom and soft carpet communities in hollows
                                b) dwarf shrub heath dominated hummocks, and
                                c) lawn and solid carpet communities that occupy     an
                                    intermediate position.

                      A fourth unit, forest communities on ombrotrophic peatlands, is not dis-
                      cussed by Damman.

                            The major.hydrologic factors are (Damman 1977, 1980):

                                a) the prevailing water level during the growing season,
                                b) the summer low water level, and
                                c) the ice buildup and spring high water level of the
                                    frozen peatland.

                            Damman (1977, 1980) has determined that the upper levels of the mud
                      bottom communities are about   V@ in. above prevailing summer water tables.
                      Lawn communities have a lower limit below the summer high water levels and
                      an upper limit at the maximum spring water level.. The dwarf shrub commun-
                      ities are above the maximum spring water level, or ice level, and in inland
                      regions where water tables are lower two levels of dwarf shrub communities
                      can be distinguished. Since at more inland sites the minimum summer water
                      levels are often two feet below the surface, ericaceous dwarf shrub com-
                      mun,ities predominate   But in humid regions, such as the flat surface of
                      coastal plateau peatlands, lawn and mud bottom communities predominate.

                            In addition to these effects of hydrology upon the ombrotrophic vege-
                      tation units, water plays a major role as the conveyor of nutrients; thus,
                      major vegetation changes are attributable to the seasonal extent and height
                      of mineral ground water and to its relative abundance of various nutrients
                      (Damman 1979a, Moore and Bellamy 1975, DuRietz 1949). The resultant mar-
                      ginal communities, laggs,. fens, and drainage ways are discussed elsewhere in
                      this report.

                            Climatic Effects

                            Damman (1979b), in speaking of peatlands in general, and ombrotrophic
                      peatlands in particular, notes that:

                                                                                         58

                                                         DWARF SHRUB
                                     25 cm ABOVE
                                  SUMMER HIGH W.T        COMMUNITIES

                                                       SPHAGNETALIA FUSCI

                                HIGH W.T. FR02EN BOG

                                     (ICE LEVEL)

                                                        LAWN a CARPET

                                                         COMMUNITIES

                                  SUMMER HIGH W.T.

                                                        MUD BOTTOMS
                                AVERAGE SUMMER WT
                                                        RHYNCHOSPORION

                                     Figure 33. Relation between major
                                     physiognomic vegetation units of the
                                     ombrotrophic bog plain and water table
                                     positions. A relative water level
                                     scale is used because the actual dif-
                                     ference between water level positions
                                     depends on climate. Illustration and
                                     caption from Damman (1980, Figure 1).

                                                                                                    59

                                     "Peatland development is controlled by climate,
                                nutrient supply, and topography (von Post and
                                Granlund 1926). The importance of topography and
                                nutrient supply decreases as a peatland develops,
                                and therefore regional differences in peatland
                                properties reflect to a large extent changes in
                                climatic conditions."

                            The principal climatic agents (Thompson 1979, Johnson 1977, Damman
                      1977, 1979b) responsible for the topography and vegetation of the Coastal
                      Region peatlands are the low evapotranspiration in conjunction with cool
                      temperatures during the growing season, high fog frequency, high precipi-
                      ,tation, intermittent winter snow cover, and the higher mineral content in
                      precipitation near the sea.

                            Low evapotranspiration with an abundant atmospheric water source
                      (Damman 1977 notes that there should not be "an average annual water
                      'deficiency based upon 10 cm storage") permits the formation of raised
                      bogs.     The lack of drought, the frequency of fog, and cool temperatures
                      in the growing season (which restricts evapotranspiration, shortens the
                      growing season, and slows growth) contribute to the persistent high water
                      tables throughout the raised peatlands, and "as limiting factors, all of
                      these would affect peat growth equally throughout the bog and thus could
                      account for the flat bog surface" (Damman 1977).

                            The lack of dwarf shrub heath dominated communities in the central
                      regions of the larger,.least protected peatlands appears to be a result,
                      at least in large part, of the intermittent and erratic snow cover. Most
                      of the evergreen dwarf shrubs are subject to winter injury where there
                      are cold winters with little or erratic snow cover. Thus, (Damman 1979a)
                      the procumbent black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) benefits from the reduced
                      competition of ericaceous dwarf shrubs, and a dense, uniform moss carpet
                      of -Sphagnum fuscum, sometimes with S. flavicomans and S. imbricatum
                      develops, or, in wetter or disturbed sites Scirpus cespitosus lawns, often
                      with S. fuscum or S. rubellum, dominate.

                            Moreover, the thin, sporadic snow cover allows frost to form deeply,
                      and to persist in hummocks until late May, or even as late as early.July
                      in the northeasternmost portions of the Coastal Region. Thus, in spite of
                      the milder winters than at inland sites (in terms of depth of snow and
                      extremes of low temperatures) the centers of the large coastal peatlands
                      have harsh growing conditions, both above and below the ground surface.

                            Climatic effects upon individual species vary. The coastal distri-
                      bution of black crowberry and baked-apple berry (Rubus chamaemorus) seems
                      related to cool summer temperatures; dwarf huckleberry (Gaylussacia dumosa),
                      appears favored by longer vegetative season, and the distribution of
                      Scirpus cespitosus and bog goldenrod (    'Solidago uliginosa) may reflect the
                      availability of nutrients in the ocean derived precipitation.

                                                                                                60

                        Peatland Variation

                        Within the Coastal Region of Maine, only a very few sites completely
                  fulfill the description presented by Damman (1977), which is based upon
                  the Jonesport Heath. Since, as noted previously, within a given regional
                  climatic zone the fullest expression of a peatland type occurs in the
                  largest peatlands in the region, it is correct to choose the Jonesport
                  Heath to typify the Coastal Plateau Peatland type, and then to discuss
                  variation of the type as it is expressed by smaller peatlands as one
                  reaches and leaves the borders of the climatic zone.

                        Variation due to decreasing peatland size within the climatic zone:
                  The three northernmost plateaus of the Jonesport Heath, especially the
                  Ornorth unit" (about 128 acres) and the "largest unit" (about 156 acres),
                  most fully display the characteristics of the Coastal Plateau Peatland
                  type; the "largest unit" serves as Damman's typifying example. In the
                  United States only Kelley Point Peatland Complex and Carrying Place Cove
                  Bog also fulfill the typical Coastal Plateau Bog type in morphology,
                  structure of the plant communities, and community zonation. The plateau
                  of the Kelley Point Peatland Complex is about 70 acres, with the prin-
                  cipal variation from the Jonesport Heath being in the decreased acreage
                  of the communities. The plateau of Carrying Place Cove Bog (about 22
                  acres) was formerly considerably larger, 'perhaps many times as large
                  (Osvald 1955, Dachnowski-Stokes 1930). The accentuated drainage caused
                  by the marine erosion to the north may have altered the proportion of
                  community types. The principal variation from the Jonesport Heath is
                  that the Scirpus lawns occupy a considerably larger proportion of the ex-
                  isting plateau and are less obviously central (the center of the original
                  plateau is not possible to determine because of the erosion from the north
                  and the burying by beach deposits from the south.

                        The Corea Heath (170+ acres of plateau) and Kelley Heath (100+ acres
                  of plateau) may have displayed typical Coastal Plateau Bog characteristics,
                  but human disturbance has changed the vegetation pattern.

                        Smaller peatlands seem to follow three trends. At the North Cutler
                  Heaths there is a large Scirpus lawn phenomenon centrally located, but the
                  plateau morphology and the subsequent control of community location by mor-
                  phology is not nearly as distinct as at the Jonesport Heath. In fact, it
                  appears that the Scirpus lawn and.Em2etrum nigrum -.Sphagnum fuscum commun-
                  ities are rather blended into a single community (or mosaic) occupying the
                  entire central region of the largest open area of the site (30+ acres).
                  This feature occurs less prominently at other sites, all equally near or
                  nearer to the sea, such as Boot Cove Heath (20 acres or less) and part of
                  the Southwest Heath of Great Wass Island (10-20 acres with this feature).

                        A second trend can be found at peatlands somewhat nearer to the sea
                  than the Jonesport Heath, wherein Scirpus-dominated communities occur not
                  centrally upon a plateau, but are along the upper margins of the peatland.
                  This is best expressed at the westernmost of the three peatlands forming
                  the "Central Peatlands" of Great Wass Island, and at Great Cranberry Island
                  Heath.

                                                                                                    61

                            The third trend with decreasing size is the progressive absence of the
                      coastal communities. South Trescott Heath, especially the eastern plateau
                      (about 50 acres), exhibits typical morphology, plant communities, and plant
                      community zonation except there are.no Scirpus lawns. West Jonesport Heath
                      (about 60 acres) and Moose River Heath (30-40 acres) have.no Scirpus lawns,
                      and limited development of the Empetrum nigrum - Sphagnum fuscum community,
                      which is restricted to near the upper elevations of these offset plateaus.
                      Finally, at many of the smaller and smallest peatlands in the region (such
                      as West Quoddy Head Heath, and the peatlands 0 5 miles east of Little
                      Machias, on the west side of the road 0.8 miles north of Roque Bluffs, and
                      between Youngs Point and Corea Harbor), there are no Scirpus lawns, and the
                      Empetrum nigrum - Sphagnum fuscum development is scattered, sometimes
                      more-or-less centrally located, but usually as individual hummocks rather
                      than discrete zones.

                            Factors contributing to tree (mostly black spruce and tamarack, rarely
                      jack pine) growth on the raised peatlands of the Coastal Region are essen-
                      tially unknown, although Damman (1977) discusses nutrient availability,
                      water rielations, and fire as possible controlling factors. In general, the
                      larger the coastal peatland, the fewer thetrees, except at the margins.
                      However, a few smaller sites are devoid of trees (an outstanding example is
                      the wee peatland 0.. 3 mile north of Black Duck Cove on the east side of the
                      road, Great Wass Island). With increasing distance from the peatland margin
                      tree heights decrease rapidly (at some sites the central spruce are less
                      than 3 feet tall), the proportion.of spruce to tamarack increases rapidly
                      (tamarack is commonly absent in the central areas), there is much more
                      layering of spruce, tree densities decrease rapidly, and spruce become pro-
                      gressively more yellowed. Presumably growth rates decrease as well.

                            Investigations of sites such as Kelley Point Peatland Complex, which
                      has a considerable variety of treed and treeless terrain, or at the several
                      peatlands near Roque Bluffs (open peatland west side of road 0.8 mile north
                      of Roque Bluffs, lightly treed Great Cove Heath, moderately treed peatland
                      north of road 0.4 mile east of the mouth of Englishman River, and treed
                      peatland south of road 0.2 mile north of Mack Cove) should provide signifi-
                      cant insight.

                            Variation due to increased maritime    effect: A feature of the most mari-
                      time sites, one quite apparent from the air, is the tendency for the peatland
                      boundaries often to be indefinite (such as at the three peatlands west of
                      Starboard Island Bar on the Point of Main, the peatlands north of Little Pond
                      Head and The Pond on the southern tip of Great Wass Island, and the three
                      small peatlands 0.5 mile southwest of Stanley Cove on Dyer Point).

                            At some sites with considerable maritime influence (such as the South-
                      west Peatland of Great Wass Island, Boot Cove Heath, the small peatland be-
                      tween Corea Harbor and Youngs Point, and Big Heath on Mount Desert Island),
                      the Empetrum nigrum - Sphagnum fuscum community in places has an abundant
                      and Iquite showy lichen component. This phenomenon resembles the Usnea (old
                      man s beard) and Alectoria lichen draped white spruce (Picea glauca) forests
                      also found adjacent to the sea, and reflects the considerable -fog and mist
                      of that habitat. Physiognomically similar.Sphagnum fuscum - lichen commun-

                                                                                         62

                 ities also occur in the most maritime peatlands of southeastern Alaska.
                 Many of these maritime peatlands also have scattered plants of Scirpus
                 ces2itosus in Sphagnum fuscum communities, a feat,uie not known from less
                 exposed sites.

                      Variation due to increasing-inland effect: A considerable variety of
                 changes occur in peatlands with increased distance from the coast. Changes
                 in the Coastal Plateau Peatland type first can be recognized by the absence
                 of Scirpus cespitosus in the central portions of the peatlands, then the
                 diminished abundance of baked-apple berry (Rubus chamaemorus) and black
                 crowberry (Empetrum nigrum). Sphagnum fuscum seldom forms the hollowless,
                 continuous hummock topography sometimes prominent closer to the sea. Ex-
                 amples of inland raised peatlands nearby the Coastal Region are Runaway.
                 Pond Heath, the heath 0.5 mile southwest of Keniston Mountain, Whiting, and
                 the peatland 0.3 mile north of Route 1 at the west edge of the Machias 7;1'
                 quadrangle (67030' W Long.) in Whitneyville.

                      Damman (1977) identifies additional differences between Coastal   Plateau
                 Peatlands and nearby inland domed raised peatlands (such as Meddybemps Heath)
                 There are no similar studies contrasting coastal and inland plateau peatlands,,
                 but the many smaller peatlands north of Cutler and in Addison would provide
                 ample variation for study. Comparison of coastal peatlands with peatlands of
                 central and northern Maine are lacking (Worley 1980a).

                      Variation due to increasing ground water input: Based upon casual ob-
                 servations by me, low elevation plateaus and peatlands that continuously or
                 periodically receive runoff from adjacent uplands, stream flooding, or up-
                 welling ground water seldom have Sphagnum fuscum, black crowberry, baked-
                 apple berry, their communities, or elevated regions with Scir2us_cespitosus.
                 In some instances (such as the peatlands at the junction of Bagley Brook and
                 East Stream in Cutler, 0.5 mile northeast of Enoch Hill in Whiting, and
                 along Big Pond Stream on Petit.Manan Point), the peatlands are low shrub
                 dominated with sheep laurel (Kalmia angustifolia) and leather-leaf (Chamae-
                 daphne calyculata) the most common shrubs, with rhodora (Rhododendron
                 canadense) abundant to dominant in the more nutrient-rich sites. In other
                 instances, for example the two eastern peatlands of the Central Peatlands of
                 Great Wass Island, a variety of graminoid fen communities prevail (Thompson
                 1979).

                                                                                                63

                     Physiography and Morphology

                          "Offset" Plateaus and Plateau."Bays"

                          All of the plateau bogs of the Coastal Region have shapes which are
                     limited, in part, by either confining upland, or slopes permitting too
                     rapid drainage for peat deposition. Theoretically, given unlimiting, flat
                     terrain, a plateau raised peatland will be circular in shape. Those which
                     lie at watershed divides, or atop other ground water recharge sites, are
                     the most likely to be circular; hydrologic modification comes about when
                     the peatland occupies a location through which ground water (including
                     surface water) is moving, or from which ground water is leaving preferent-
                     ially in one or more directions. In these cases, the circular shape is
                     modified, with the height of the peatland closer to the (ground water) up-
                     stream side of the peatland (Figure 34). By the same token, there is less
                     peat accumulation and longer peatland slopes to the downstream side of the
                     peatland. West Jonesport Heath clearly displays this "offset" plateau
                     feature.

                          No peatlands in Maine have essentially flat and unconfining topography,
                     such as occurs in northern Minnesota. Consequently, even those little affect-
                     ed by ground water flow have topographic constraints. For example, the shape
                     of Carrying Place Cove Bog is now severely controlled by coastal geomorphic
                     dynamics. The large plateaus of the Jonesport Heath (including the North
                     -Unit) are constrained by topography and stream flow.

                          Within the Coastal Region, only a few, large,more-or-less circular
                     plateaus exist, including Corea Heath, Kelley Heath, South Trescott Heath
                     (the eastern plateau), and the disturbed Harrington Heath near Harrington.
                     Outside the Coastal Region there are occasional circular raised peatlands
                     as well.

                          The obviously raised,  circular plateaus have broad upper sufraces that
                     appear very slightly convex (rather than flat or concave) and extend 112 to
                     3/4 or more of the way to the peatland margin. Near the margin slopes be-
                     come more pronounced, being especially steep (so much so as to affect one's
                     walking pace) near the peatland edge.

                          Along "downstream" margins of some plateaus, the peatland may be
                     sharply highlighted by a semi-continuous row or zone of trees at the base
                     of the steepest slope. Not uncommonly, beyond the row of trees there may
                     be additional peatlands, at the elevation of the base of the plateau slope,
                     often roughly semi-circular in shape, that form "bays" of open peatiands
                     appended to the circular plateau (Figure 34). With typical communities
                     these "bays" form a partially encircling fringe along the plateau. Excell-
                     ent examples can be seen at Corea Heath, Kelley Heath, and Marst Heath. In
                     places the plateaus appear to be actively expanding into the bays.

                                                                                                             64

                                                                               HEIGHT OF PLATEAU
                                                               PLATEAU
                                               BAY                                            LAGG
                                     Lu

                                                                     LEVEL

                                          LAGG OR

                                            DRAINAGE WAY

                                                                   PREDOMINANT

                                                                    DRAINAGE

                                     Figure 34. Idealized cross-section through a
                                     coastal raised peatland with "offset" height,
                                     bay, and prominent laggs. Considerable vertical
                                     accentuation is depicted to enhance the features.

                                                                                           65

                      Concentric Zonation and Pattern

                      Concentric zonation of major communities is one of the chief features
                 of the Coastal Plateau Peatlands (Damman 1977), but concentric (or sub-
                 concentric) patterning of communities and topography within the zones
                 occurs at but three sites, Corea Heath, Kelley Heath, and Carrying Place
                 Cove Bog. The center of concentricity is the highest-elevation of the
                 plateau; thus, both zonations and patternings are actually eccentric in
                 most cases, ior most plateaus are "offset" or imperfect circles at best.
                 North Unit of the Jonesport Heath is an excellent example of strongly
                 zoned communities, with the zonation parallel to the plateau margins and
                 centered upon the height of the plateau, but with the actual shape of
                 zones conforming to the arcuate shape of the plateau.

                      Concentric patterning of ridges and hollows frequently is striking at
                 inland peatlands, and variation in the character of the patterning permits
                 the definition of several peatland type 's (Worley 1980a). The concentric
                 patterning at the three Coastal Region sites occurs on the upper plateau
                 slopes or the upper shoulders, and is clearly related to downslope water
                 movement. Vegetation differences highlight the ridges and hollows, whose
                 long axes align with the peatland contours. At all three peatlands,
                 Scirpus cespitosus communities prominently define the pattern, as they
                 alternate with various dwarf shrub and mud bottom communities.

                      Because of the truncation of the-Carrying Place Cove Bog plateau, its
                 patterned area (which includes distinctive pond systems) is prominent only
                 on the eastern and western upper shoulders. At both Corea Heath and Kelley
                 Heath patterning appears primarily in the southern half of the plateaus
                 (South is more-or-less "downstream" for both peatlands). At all three
                 sites the highest elevation is highlighted by the patterning.

                      Throughout the Coastal Region plant community zonation and    peatland
                 topography vary significantly between peatland margins that abut upland,
                 and those drained by streams or the sea. Larrabee Heath, the Jonesport
                -Heath North Unit, and the plateau of the Kelley Point Peatland Complex
                 provide excellent examples. Slopes tend to be longer and steeper to drain-
                 ed margins with broad community zonation, commonly a sequence of dwarf
                 shrub heaths to rhodora (Rhododenron canadense) and/or sweet gale (Myrica
                 gale) thickets to blue-joint grass (Calamagrostis canadensis) and sedge
                 fens or meadows. Portions of laggs that carry little or no water are
                 narrow, little lower than the raised peatland, and commonly grade from
                 dwarf shrub heaths through narrow zones of taller shrubs, then to trees,
                 then to the upland.

                                                                                                66

                          Laggs,,Water-Tracks,_'and Drainage Ways

                          The lagg, or margin of a peatland where directly affected by upland
                     ground water or stream flow, characteristically has marked species zona-
                     tion caused by the influx of less acid, more nutrient-rich water. Some
                     laggs are no more than a few feet wide, and may be forested (as along
                     the west margin of West Jonesport Heath), shrubby (for example, the south
                     laggs of Carrying Place Cove Bog and Moose River Heaths), open with
                     Sphagnum spp. and dwarf shrub heaths (minor portions of the western mar-
                     gin of the Kelley Point plateau, and a few locations where peatland abuts
                     rock outcrops on Great Wass Island), or wet with mixed graminoids, broad-
                     leaf herbs and ferns (as at numerous sites).

                          The most distinctive laggs are sedge and grass fens. Scirpus ces-
                     pitosus, beak-rush (Rhynchospora alba), cotton-grasses (Eriophorum spp.),
                     and sedges (Carex spp.) dominate marginal laggs up to several tens of
                     feet wide at many sites (for example, Kelley Point Peatland Complex,
                     the Southwest Peatland of Great Wass Island  ' Head Harbor Island Heath,
                     and Great Cranberry Island Heath). Commonly these laggs have mud bottom
                     communities, wet depressions, and even miniature ponds  '  These wetter
                     features may be somewhat patterned, as the "string of beads" pattern at
                     Southwest Peatland, Great Wass Island.

                          Some of the largest treeless laggs (such as those at Jonesport Heath)
                     have persistent, often meandering streams that are bordered by tall sedge
                             J
                     and grass (especially blue-joint grass, Calarqagrostis canadensis) communit-
                     ies.

                          Most smaller peatlands (for example, Great Cove Heath and Boot Cove
                     Heath) have forested laggs of varying width, as do parts of larger peat-
                     lands (including Kelley Point Peatland Complex, Harrington Heath, Larrabee
                     Heath and Kelley Heath). The richest parts of these laggs generally sup-
                     port quite vigorous tamarack (Larix laricina) growth, poor laggs have black
                     spruce (Picea mariana). Understory vegetation varies significantly accord-
                     ing to r@iTchness and wetness, from complete lichen (as at places on Great
                     Wass Island and elsewhere) or bryophyte (as at West Jonesport and Boot Cove
                     Heaths) cover, to fern, sedge, grass or mixed broadleaf. Some forested
                     laggs have moats seasonally with standing water; duckweed (Lemna sp.) and
                     several algal species bloom in late spring and summer.

                          The extent of ground water influence into ombrogenic peats can be
                     traced by indicator,plants such as-three-leaved false Solomon's seal (Smi-
                     lacina trifolia), by community composition such as those dominated by
                     rhodora (Rhododendron canadense) or sweet gale (Myrica Rale), or by plant
                     vigor (rhodora is much shorter, black spruce are commonly dwarfed and
                     yellowed, and tamarack often are short-lived on ombrotrophic peats).

                          Water tracks, the passage of minerotrophic water through an ombrogenic
                     peatland, are uncommon and minor in the Coastal Region. Most prominent from
                     the air, water tracks are recognizable by the presence of minerotrophic spe-

                                                                                         67

                cies such as bog rosemary (Andromeda glaucop hylla), rhodora, and various
                sedges. A few of the most open, smaller peatlands in Cutler and Addison
                have barely perceptible water tracks tailing away from upland outcrops in
                the peatland. Similar water tracks are common at many inland peatlands in
                Maine. Crossing South Trescott Heath and the middle of the Central Peat-
                lands of Great Wass Island are minerotrophic features perhaps water tracks.-
                Osvald (1955) describes the former, Thompson (1979) comments upon the
                latter.

                     Drainage ways lead from many ombrotrophic peatlands. When peatland
                themselves, they closely resemble the variety of laggs described above.
                The Kelley Point Peatland Complex has the greatest variety of lagg and
                drainage way types of any peatland in the Coastal Region.

                     Sloping_Peats

                     Unlike most of southern Maine and the remainder of New England, where
                peatland surfaces are essentially level, sloping peatland is common in the
                Coastal Region. Raised peatlands have surfaces that slope away from central,
                high regions, usually becoming most steep at the margins. Some peatlands
                (such as the Southwest Peatland at Great Wass Island) slope from one margin
                to the other, and others follow sloping basins (e.g., West Quoddy Head Heath).
                Slopes can be especially pronounced toward truncations such as the sea cuts
                of West Jonesport and Carrying Place Cove Heaths. Noticeable slopes occur
                where more nutrient rich waters flow, as in water tracks, soaks, marginal
                fens and laggs, and drainage ways.

                     Tidewater Erosion of Peatland

                     Three peatlands recommended as potential Critical Areas have erosion
                of peat by tidewater. The exposures are significant in documenting post-
                Pleistocene land/sea relationships, the developmental sequence of raised
                peatlands, climatic change, biotic responses to climatic change, habitat
                requirements for rare and unusual species, the dynamics of the surface of
                peatland, and many similar phenomena.

                     The-enhanced drainage of peatland adjacent to the erosion provides an
                exceptionally significant analogy with certain drainage practices employed
                in peat mining. Since the natural drainage has existed for many decades or
                more, some long-term effects can be determined at these sites.

                     Carrying Place Cove Bog has erosion exposing the entire cross section
                of a plateau and is by far the most important natural exposure. Thever-
                tical cliff of peat and underlying sediments have been reported by several
                researchers, notably Dachnowski-Stokes (1930) and Osvald (1955), but its
                immensely rich scientific potential is virtually untapped. It will be
                visited by a field trip of the Sixth International Peat Congress in August..
                1980.

                                                                                              68

                          At Kelley Point Peatland Complex a small erosion face is maintained at
                     a minor lagoon some distance from.the plateau. The iow height of the scarp
                     and the generally level, adjacent peats limit the extent of efthanced drain-
                     age and vegetation changes.

                          West Jonesport Heath has a vertical erosion escarpment (with some
                     slumping),one to three feet in height along the southern edge of the
                     plateau. The entire southern end of the plateau slopes and drains to a
                     tidal creek. The effectiveness of the enhanced drainage in establishing
                     a sloping peatland topography is obvious. The peats may even extend be-
                     neath the intertidal or subtidal zones; possibly there exist relict peats
                     south of the creek, peats once (or still) contiguous with the plateau.

                          Visible from Route 187 some 2k miles northeast of Jonesport at Chandler
                     Bay is a small, marine eroded peatland. Dachnowski-Stokes (1930) notes its
                     natural exposure has a fine display of underlying mineral soil which includes
                     11glei" and "Ortstein" features.

                          Exposed in a three feet high erosion scarp on the shore of Little
                     Machias Bay just south of the North Cutler Heaths is a narrow band of peat
                     between clay above and peaty clay below. At least 17 layers   are readily
                     discernable in the 15 inch thick peat, which is poorly decomposed and con-
                     tains (based upon a very brief microscopic inspection) the remains of
                     freshwater wetland vegetation.      .  I
                          Raised peatla@ds occur,at northern latitudes of Atlantic and Pacific
                     coastal North America, but I know of no West Coast peatlands being eroded
                     by the sea (neither did Rigg in 1940).    -.-Hunter et.,,al...,.
                                                                              ,@.`197.5)-.- provide
                     photographs of marine erosion of peatlands in northeastern New Brunswick.

                     Disturbance

                          Human Use and Disturbance

                          With the exception of a very few sites (less than six percent), the
                     Coastal Region peatlands appear to be in excellent health and essentially
                     natural. Most peatlands with large-scale disturbance retain significant
                     natural qualities, and in some cases are recommended for evaluation as
                     potential Critical Areas.

                          Four sites are mined: the Jonesport Heath (extensive drainage, veg-
                     etation clearing, trenching, and.vacuum mining; mining currently active
                     and expanding), the nearby small heath that crosses Route 187 0.5 mile west
                     of Natt Point (former drainage and trench mining), Harrington Heath (for-
                     mer drainage and clearing, limited peat removal), and Kelley Heath (surface
                     vegetation harvested about 1963 for humus, very minor peat removal). At
                     Jonesport Heath there was active agricultural peat mining as early as at
                     least 1943 (Trefethen and Bradford 1944) and presumably before. Briquets
                     were also produced briefly, presumably for burning. The mining of peat
                     for bedding, locally common in southern Maine, was not done in the Coastal
                     Region, to my knowledge. During the First World War, Nichols (1919) in-'

                                                                                          69

                 spected the raised peatlands of Washington County to determine the quality
                 of Sphagnum peat for surgical.dressings. He found it acceptable, but none
                 was ever mined for that purpose.

                      At least one peatland apparently has been totally destroyed, it being
                 at the southern end of the peninsula now occupied by the transmission towers
                 of the Cutler Navy Base. Military facilities have been built on Corea Heath,
                 and adjacent to it and to Kelley Heath. One peatland (1.9 miles NW of North
                 Cutler) was partially cleared of trees (by hand saw) some 20 years ago dur-
                 ing the construction of the Cutler Navy Base. Unlike inland regions, in the
                 Coastal Region peatlands are not used as landfills, although the Jonesport
                 landfill borders West Jonesport Heath.

                      Roads cross or fringe several peatlands. The Carrying Place Cove Bog
                 plateau is traversed bya road with three small culverts feeding shallow
                 surface ditches. The peatland 0.5 mile west of Natt Point, northeast of
                 Jonesport, is crossed by Route 187. A portion of the Kelley Point Peatland
                 Complex is crossed by a gravel 'road with at least one culvert. Impeded
                 drainage of peatland because of road or rail fill is minor in t,he Coastal
                 Region in contrast with the prominent changes at some inland sites.

                      Vehicle tracks are occasional in the peatlands, seldom showing signs
                 of repeated use. Snowmobileuse is occasionally moderate, although little
                 evidence appears to last into the summer, except in laggs where damage can
                 be long-lasting.

                      Pedestrian traffic is generally light, though  trails can be found in
                 most of the peatlands. For the most part the human trails do not follow
                 deer trail patterns, and are clearly distinguishable. The most serious
                 disturbance of peatlands by human trails appears to be on Great Wass Island
                 (Central Peatlands and Southwest Peat-land) and at Big Heath on Mt. Desert
                 Island.

                      Several peatlands have the remnants of barbed wire fences, unrepaired
                 for several to many decades. Theeffects of grazing are not recognizable.
                 Survey line cuts, old and new, cross some peatlands.

                     A_-few peatlands have limited but distinctive scars. A scar of undeter-
                 mined origin partially crosses the West Jonesport Heath (perhaps it is the
                 t1road" reported by a local resident that used to cross the peatland). A
                 short scar at the North Cutler Heaths was made during the construction of
                 the Cutler Navy Base. The Navy decided to.use the heath for an aircraft
                 landing strip, and attempted to drive a large bulldozer onto the peatland
                 to clear'the site of trees. The bulldozer promptly mired itself up to its
                 exhaust pipe. An episodic comedy of events, much to the delight of local
                 residents, ensued as the Navy attempted to retrieve the heavy machine. With
                 great effort it was finally dragged to firm ground(the airstrip idea was
                 abandoned!).

                                                                                                70

                           Carrying Place Cove Bog and Big Heath on Mount Desert Island receive
                      the only regular tourist visitations. Scientific and educational field
                      trips have been held infrequently at many of the peatlands, mostly at those
                      recommended here as potential Critical Areas.  This use is increasing, es-
                      pecially following the publications of Cameron (1975) and Damman (1977),
                      and the purchase of southern Great Wass Island by The Nature Conservancy.
                      The release of this report will surely promote visitation of many sites.
                      At present the most visited sites are Carrying Place Cove Bog, which must
                      be crossed by everyone driving to the easternmoet point of the United States,
                      Big Heath, which is in Acadia National Park-and -well known, and the peat-
                      lands of Great Wass Island, which have periodically been used by classes
                      of the University of Maine andarenow well known through The Nature
                      Conservancy..

                           In recent years berry picking in peatlands has dropped off considerably,
                      as has the practice of burning the peatland vegetation to enhance blue-
                      berry production. Deer hunting is common at or adjacent to many of the peat-
                      lands. Some sites may still be burned to benefit deer hunting, primarily to
                      provide,succulent new growth and to remove the tall old growth (which ob-
                      scures the hunter's vision) in blue-joint grass (Calamagrostis canadensis)
                      meadows and fens that commonly fringe peatlands. I saw little evidence of
                      these fires during my visits.

                           Fire history is mostly undocumented; Bastin and Davis (1909) reported
                      fire at South Trescott Heath prior to-1906, Osvald (1955) reported fire at
                      Carrying Place Cove Bog prior to 1927, the North Cutler Heaths were burned
                      in recent decades (perhaps 20-30 years ago), Damman (1977) noted fire at
                      Larrabee Heath in the early 1970's, and I have 'seen fire scars at West Jones-
                      port Heath and several inland peatlands adjacent to the Coastal Region.
                      Natural fires have also occurred at South Trescott Heath in times past as
                      Osvald (1955) found charcoal and ash at several depths. Charcoal and ash
                      were absent in my cores of the Shrub Slope peatlands of southern Great
                      Wass Island (Worley 1980b).

                           Fires that move rapidly through treeless dwarf shrub heaths leave few
                      long-lasting signs, and are difficult to recognize after only a very few
                      years (e.g., I could find no fire sign at Larrabee Heath when I visited the
                      site about 5 years after Damman's visit). Local residents differ in their
                      recollections regarding the frequency of peatland fires; it does seem clear
                      that in general the coastal peatlands have had fewer fires, whether natural
                      or manmade, than inland peatlands, although probably the majority have been
                      burnt at one time or another since colonial times.

                           Fragility and Recovery from Disturbance

                           For Coastal Region peatlands neither their susceptibility to, nor their
                      recovery from, various kinds of disturbance has been studied. There are ample

                                                                                         71

                 recent situations of trails and treading, vehicular passage, tree cuttingi,
                 vegetation removal, mining, draining, and fire to provide some idea of
                 selected fragility characteristics, and short-term recovery modes and
                 rates. The effects of activities in adjacent watersheds (such as logging,
                 agriculture, quarrying, road construction and maintenance, and the building
                 of dwellings, armed forces facilities, or other structures)., acid rains,
                 aerial application of pesticides, or natural climatic changes are unknown.

                      Casual observations at Kelley Heath, Harrington Heath and portions of
                 mined heaths near Jonesport indicate that the physical removal of the
                 living vegetation from undrained peats without severe channelization of
                 the peatland surface is followed by a revegetation of the exposed peat within
                 a few years. Peat loss by water erosion appears not great, but oxidative
                 losses might be significant. The recovery vegetation, although composed of
                 species generally present on coastal raised peatlands, is organized in new or
                 modified communities for at least several decades following the scarification.

                      Near the coast, at undrained sites where the surface topography is
                 little changed (Kelley Heath and Corea Heath), Scirpus cespitosus becomes
                 the most abundant species, and lawn or mud bottom communities may occupy
                 much of the terrain. At the more severely disturbed Jonesport Heath and the
                 nearby peatland 0.5 mile west of Natt Point (crosses Route 187), black
                 crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) and baked-apple berry (Rubus chamaemorus) are
                 active colonizers. Further inland, such as the Harrington Heath, or where
                 the peats have been and are drained, dwarf shrub and Sphagnum spp. commun-
                 ities prevail. On severely drained peats, as at parts of the Jonesport
                 Heath and Harrington Heath, black spruce (Picea mariana), tamarack (Larix
                 laricina'), birch (Betula spp.), and occasionally speckled alder (Alnus
                 rugosa) seed, germinate, and grow quickly.

                      Where deep drainage ditches have been placed, then abandoned for even
                 decades, as at the Jonesport Heath and Denbo Heath (inland, near Deblois),
                 active regrowth seems restricted to the top edges of the cut, and drainage
                 persists. In these cases oxidative peat loss appears to be greater than
                 peat accumulation (Worley 1980a).

                      Active peat erosion (other than that caused by tidewater) was only
                 noted locally at the Jonesport Heath, and where there is heavy trail use,
                 such as on Great Wass Island and at Big Heath in Acadia National Park. Trails
                 formerly heavily used at Corea Heath, Harrington Heath and on Great Wass
                 Island, and abandoned deer trails, such as at Larrabee Heath and Moose River
                 Heath, appear to be fairly rapidly recolonized, especially by mud bottom and
                 lawn species.

                     In allthe aforementioned recovery situations, the accumulation of new
                 peat appears to take much longer than the few  years or decades since the
                 disturbance.

                      Even less is known about the susceptibility to disturbance, than for
                 recovery in the Coastal Region. Current mining technology is capable, of
                 course, of removing an entire peatland, but lesser devastation is possible

                                                                                                  72

                      (witness many sites in the British Isles and Fennoscandia). All-terrain
                      vehicles with low pressure tires apparently do little damage, although
                      their traces can be seen for at least a few years. The passage of people
                      can noticeably accentuate hummock and hollow topography, and a few tens
                      of persons using a trail per year is-adequate to maintain a trail scar
                      (for example, the trails on Great Wass Island, and the many short trails
                      that enter peatlands along obvious access routes). Individual footprints
                      in Sphagnum hummocks may last as long as two years (personal observation
                      in northern Vermont and Alaska). Laggs, other wet areas, and the steeper
                      marginal slopes of prominently raised peatlands are particularly vulnerable
                      to channelization. Where the vegetation cover floats or is sometimes buoy-
                      ant, once the root-rhizome mat is fractured, severe local damage can be
                      caused by continued use (such as occurs amid the pond system at Acadia
                      National Park's Big Heath).

                            The fires that have occurred this century in the peatlands may be
                      important agents in determining the character of peatland vegetation, but
                      the underlying peat seems.seldom affected.

                            Thus, the coastal raised peatlands can be visibly altered by as small
                      a disturbance factor as the passage of a single.person. Disturbance from
                      some phenomena, such as acid rain, has not been investigated. Exposed peats
                      generally are quickly revegetated, but peat re-accumulation appears to re-
                      quire decades or centuries. Drained peatlands may not re-accumlate peat
                      even if revegetated, and loss of some remaining peats is possible through
                      oxidation and decomposition.

                            At sites to be protected as natural areas (c.f. Worley and Klein 1980),
                      but at which visitation may be regular, heavy, or channeled, for protective
                      measures elevated trail ways such as boardwalks (Killian 1979), observation
                      towers, and similar devices, especially at laggs and other wetter places,
                      should be considered. That most peatlands are relatively shallow and the
                      peats are fairly firm would facilitate such constructions. Care must be
                      taken to not obstruct natural water flow.

                            Recent Vegetation Changes

                            A meager amount of comparative vegetation description through recent
                      decades is available for Carrying Place Cove Bog and the South Trescott
                      Heath.

                         . Davis (Bastin and Davis 1909) visited Carrying Place Cove Bog in 1906,
                      noting it to be a "typical open moss heath." In 1909 Fernald and Wiegand
                      (1910) noted that

                                     lithe most conspicuous plant at the time of
                               our visit was Gaylussacia dumosa . . . forming
                               dense depressed shrubs only 1 or 2 decimeters
                               high,'closely embedded in.the Sphagnum, and loaded

                                                                                          73

                          with beautiful white or pink-tinged bells."

                 Other noteworthy plants were Scirpus cespitosus, Carex pauciflora, Comandra
                 livida, Rubus chamaemorus, Empetrum nigrum, Vaccinium pennsylvanicum var.
                 angustifolium, and Aster radula var. strictus (their nomenclature).

                      Osvald visited 18 years later in 1927, took photographs (Osvald 1955),
                .peat cores, and described the vegetationthusly:

                               "At the time of my visit fires had ravaged
                          parts of the bog, and on the dry parts there was
                          but little natural vegetation left. It was evi-
                          dent, however, that the driest part of the bog
                          had been occupied partly by the Kalmia angust-
                          ifolid - Cladonia silvatica soci@T_ion with hum-
                          i@o`cks of -fm-petrum nigrum - Sphagnum fuscum
                          sociation . . . and partly by a Chamaedaphne
                          calyculata sociation without a bottom layer."

                 Near the ponds were Chamaedaphne calyculata and other shrub communities, with
                 a "fairly greatamount of Wy-rica gale and Juniperus communis v. depressa."

                               "In other comparatively wet parts of the bog
                          the Chamaedaphne sociations formed broad strips
                          across the bog, alternating with wetter strips
                          containing mainly Empetrum - Sphagnum fuscum
                          sociation and some Trichophorum caespitosum
                          subsp. austriacum*- Sphagnum. rubellum sociation.
                          . . . The Chamaedaphne strips could be dis-
                          tinguished from a long distance by the scatter-
                          ed low shrubs of Alnus rugosa.11

                      Two years later in 1929 Dachnowski-Stokes (1930) recorded that
                 the bulk of ground vegetation was Sphagnum. cymbifolium, S. medium, S. fuscum,
                 S. acutifolium, S. tenellum, and S. imbricatum in rounded hummo@Tk_s._
                 i@en_tion was made of fire. He continued:

                               "Decidedly less abundant are sedges and
                          the heaths which usually characterize the drier
                          portions of a high-moor. Rhynchospora alba,
                          Eriophorum vaginatum, Scirpus caespitosus, and
                          a goldenrod (Solidago sp.) have only a limited,
                          scattered foothold. Heaths such as Andromeda
                          polifolia, Rhododendron canadense, Cassandra
                          (Chamaedaphne) calyculata, Ledum latifolium,

                    Scirpus cespitosus

                                                                                                    74

                                   groenlandicum, species of Kalmia and
                                Vaccinium are scanty and greatly dwarfed.
                                Drosera rotundifolia, Sarracenia purpur
                                and several lichens (Cladonia rangiferina,
                                C.. uncialis) are common in hollows and
                                moist places but not abundant."

                            Thus, from 1906 to 1929 there was a shift in prominence from Gaylussacia
                       dumosa (dwarf huckleberry) to the patterned surface with Kalmia.angustifolia
                       (sheep laurel) and Cladonia silvatica,(lichen) in drier places, and strips
                       of-Chamaedaphne calyculata (leather-leaf) alternating with Empetrum nigrum
                       (black crowberry) - Sphagnum fuscum and Scirpus cespitosus - Sphagnum rubellum,
                       to a Sphagnum dominated Vegetation with.scattered sedges and scanty, greatly
                       dwarfed shrubs.

                            The contemporary vegetation is patterned and     has prominent Scirpus
                       lawns and Kalmia angustifolia heaths. Pattern is      clearly a persistent feam--
                       ture. The vegetati;n obviously has the capacity to change rather rapidly,
                       apparently from a disturbance shrub-dominated vegetation to a re-establish-
                       ment of Sphagnum dominance, to the contemporary expression of the regional
                       Coastal Plateau Peatland type.

                            Davis also visited South Trescott Heath in 1906 (Bastin and Davis 1909),
                       which had been burned over locally to stimulate the growth of blueberries.
                       Where burned, hair-cap moss (Polytrichum sp.) dominated over Sphagnum.
                       Twenty-one years later Osvald (1955) found the peatland very similar to its
                       present condition covered by dwarf shrub communities, notably the s@eep
                       laurel - lichen community (in some places,rich with leather-leaf, Labrador
                       tea, and rhodora) and black crowberry communities.

                       Regional Relationships

                            Eastern North American Peatland Variation

                            Peatland types, based upon morphology.and vegetation, in North America
                       east of longitude 185 0  W distinguish regional zones that conform with north-
                       south and continental-maritime gradients as locally modified by topography.
                       In the southern part of the continent peatlands are primary, with extensive
                       coastal plain peatlands but only scarce and tiny, forested, filled-basin
                       peatlands inland. The Everglades are the best known southern peatlands. In
                       the northern reaches of the continent and the Arctic archipelago, permafrost
                       peatland types prevail. Between these extremes of sub-tropical glade peat-
                       lands and regions of continuous permafrost, roughly at 44-46     0 N latitude,
                       lies a most significant division, north of which there are ombrotrophic
                       (raised) peatland types, south of which there are not.

                                                                                        75

                      Because Maine lies astride the southern limit of raised peatlands,
                 because Maine has a long coastline, because Maine is large with long
                 north-south dimensions, and because Maine has both low levels and uplands,
                 Maine has a considerable diversity of peatland types and displays signifi-
                 cant zonation. Moreover, as the most northern and eastern state in this
                 part of the nation it contains the only examples in the United States of
                 several peatland phenomena that occur in neighboring Canada.

                      Since Maine does contain the southern (and sometimes western or north-
                 ern) limit of certain morphological and vegetational peatland phenomena,
                 Maine peatlands provide important documentation of significant ecological
                 climatic conditions. In particular, as climate changes, whether naturally
                 (as happened during the recent Little-Ice Age) or by human activity (as
                 with acid rain), the southern limits of ombrotrophic peatlands become very
                 sensitive indicators of the changes, with alterations of vegetation compo-
                 sition, growth and decomposition rates, hydrologic budgets and numerous
                 other ecologicalfeatures clearly documenting climatic variation.

                      In Maine, the continental-maritime (Figure 35) and south-north (Figure
                 36) gradients of peatland variation.depicted by Damman (1979b) are evident;
                 Worley (1980a) discusses additional variation along these gradients. In
                .western and southern Maine peatlands are primary, unraised with flat open
                 or forested surfaces that developed at the elevation of the basin's @ater
                 table. To the north and northeast peatlands (for example, Sweat Dog arid.
                 Bangor Bog) become slightly raised, convex, and commonly with some trees
                 in central regions. Then with increasing maritime influence (for example,
                 the Great Heath, Denbo Heath, and Meddybemps Heath) the surface becomes
                 more elevated, with clearly raised domes (often as multiple, coalesced
                 domes) with central ponds and scarce central trees, whose convexity is
                 apparently limited (Damman 1979b, 1977) by the summer low water table which
                 is generally 16-24 in. below the ericaceous heath vegetation.

                      With the increased water surplus in the Coastal Region, especially
                 during the summer growing season, the convex raised peatlands are replaced
                 by the plateau bogs with flattened centers and well-developed marginal slopes.
                 Unlike the large inland and southern sites, the larger plateaus of the Coastal
                 Region lack dwarf shrub communities and trees centrally, there being Scirpus
                 cespitosus lawns instead.

                      Additional increases in moisture surplus lead to sloping and undulatinig
                 peatlands that generally follow the topography of the underlying substrate.
                 In southern Newfoundland occur well-developed Blanket Bogs (Damman 1979b).
                 On the southern tip of Great Wass Island modified Plateau, gentle Slope and
                 Shrub Slope peatlands provide a peat-dominated landscape.

                      Damman (1980, Figure 4) displays the floristic changes in the dwarf
                 shrub, lawn, and mud bottom communities in ombrotrophic bogs along a West-
                 east (continental-maritime) gradient through the southern part of the raised
                 bog zone (southern Quebec and interior Maine/Maine/Bay of Fundy-Maine and
                 New Brunswick/Nova Scotia/Newfoundland) as affected by the ecological and
                 geographical conditions. This figure clearly demonstrates that the Coastal

                                                                                 Fig. 2. Changes    in peatland
                                                                                 development along a gradient
                                                                                 from a continental to a                                                            0
                                                                                                                                                                    0
                                                                                 maritime climate in the                                                            Z
                                                                                 southern part of the eastern.                                                      _j
                                                                                                                                                                    Z
                                                                                 Worth American raised bog                                                          M
                                                                                 zone.                                                                              Z

                                                             changes along a west-east transect in
                        Table 1. Climatic and associated
                        eastern North America. Thickness of the arrows indicates relative importance
                        of the change.

                                                              CONTINENTAL                  MARITIME

                                                                 lower
                        Precipitation                                                -0-   higher (+ fog)

                        Summer Temperatures                      higher                    lower

                        Potential Evapotranspiration             higher m4                 lower
                        Effective Vegetative Seasoni             shorter                   longer

                        Winter Snow Cover                        permanent                 erratic

                                                                   higher moisture surplus
                                                                   more active Sphagnum growth

                          Period of active.growth of ombrotrophic hummock Sphagna, i.e. actual
                        vegetative season minus periods that bog surface dries out.

                                                Figure 35. Variation in peatlands in               eastern North America along
                                                a continental-maritime gradient. Reproduced from Damman (1979b,                                                              as
                                                Table 1, Figure 2).

                                                                        .Fig. 3. Changes in peatland
                                                                         development along a latitud-
                                                                         inal gradient outside the                     r
                                                                         immediate coastal zone of
                                                                         eastein North America
                                                                                                                                                        (A
                                                                                                                                                        0

                      Table 2. Climatic and associated changes along a latitud    inal gradient in
                      eastern North America. Thickness of arrows     indicates relative importance.

                                                             SOUTH                          NORTH

                      Summer Temperature                     high     44                    low

                      Potential Evapotranspiration           high -.4                       low

                      Effective Vegetative Season            (short)        long -4-        short                                                       0

                      Snow Accumulation                      negligible                     important

                                                                  higher moisture surplus
                                                                less active Sphagnum growth
                                                                  spring runoff increases
                                                            summer precipitation less important

                                          Figure 36. Variation in peatlands in eastern North America along
                                          a south-north gradient. Reproduced from Damman (1979b, Table 2,
                                          Figure 3).

                                                                                              78

                      Region peatlands have their most evident relationship with neighboring
                      New Brunswick (the Bay of Fundy.coast), coastal Nova Scotia, and coastal
                      Newfoundland.

                           The climatic and associated changes important to peatland character
                      along the latitudinal gradient are also given by Damman (1979b, Table 2,
                      reproduced as Figure 36 of this report). Chief among these changes as
                      they affect Maine's Coastal Region are the lower temperatures and lower
                      potential evapotranspiration that help to provide a higher moisture sur-
                      plus and shorter growing season. The increased snow accumulation with
                      northerliness along this gradient is mitigated in the Coastal Region by
                      milder winter temperatures.

                           Damman (1980, Figure 5) displays the floristic changes in the dwarf
                      shrub, lawn, and mud bottom communities in ombrotrophic and oligotrophic
                      basin peatlands along a north-south gradient outside the immediate coastal
                      region in eastern North America (southern New England/inland Maine and ' -
                      southern Quebec/New' Brunswick/central Newfoundland/James Bay, Quebec) as
                      affected by the ecological and geographical conditions. South of the
                      raised peatland limit even the most nutrient-poor peatlands are influ-
                      enced by oligotrophic rather than ombrotrophic water sometime during the
                      year, thus the predominance of some slightly more nutrient demanding species
                      such as Vaccinium corymbosum, Woodwardia virginica, Chamaecyparis thyoides,
                      and Myrica ga e, alonj with the considerable vigor, abundance, and promi-
                      nence of leather-leaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata).

                           The major floristic changes in the wind-exposed dwarf shrub vegetation
                      of the ombrotrophic parts of coastal bogs along the east coast of North
                      America are (Damman 1980, Table 2): in the Coastal Region of Maine and
                      southwestern New Brunswick Sphagnum fuscum is the dominant'peat former;
                      in northern New Brunswick Cornicularia. aculeata becomes prominent; in
                      Newfoundland lichens become important dominants; and in northern Newfoundland
                      Rhacomitrium lanuginosum (a moss) becomes the dominant'peat former.

                           Vegetation is more diverse in the Coastal Region (Damman 1980) than in-
                      land, with differences most pronounced, as would be expected, in the wetter
                      habitats. The prominent hummock species an the coast but not inland include
                      common juniper (Juniperus communis), Sphagnum imbricatum, baked-apple berry
                      (Rubus chamaemorus) and black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum).

                           A small portion of extreme coastal North America, including eastern
                      Maine (the Coastal Region), most of Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland (Damman
                      1977, 1979a, Figure 1), contains ombrotrophic peatlands which have species
                      that.are restricted to minerotrophic habitats in other parts of eastern
                      North America. This phenomenon is the direct result of the increased ionic
                      content in precepitation and fallout near the sea'enriching the ombrotrophic
                      peat surface (Johnson 1977, Damman 1979a).

                                                                                        79

                     Amphi-Atlantic Vegetation Comparisons

                     The floristic composition and physiognomy of peatland vegetation is
                 foremarkably similar throughout the Northern Hemisphere".(Damman 1979a).
                 TUxen et al. (1972) proposed that the vegetation class Oxycocco - Sphagnetea
                 include the plant communities of not only European peatlands, but also those
                 of Asia and North America.; the Oxycocco - Sphagnetea to consist of plant
                 communities with ombrotrophic and oligotrophic, primarily organic soils
                 (with the exception of the mud bottom and Sphagnum. covered hollow vege-
                 tation which is included in the Scheuchzerietea)..

                     Damman (1979a) compared the ecological position of the orders Sphagne
                 talia fusci and Eriophoro - Sphagnetalia papillosi of the Oxycocco -
                 Sphagnetea as recognized in Europe with eastern North American phenomena to.
                 evaluate their applicability here. He concluded that "the variation in the
                 peat bog vegetation is controlled by the same environmental factors on both
                 sides of the Atlantic but there are important differences":

                         a)   there are some floristic differences (c.f. Table 1 of
                              Damman 1979a, which tabulates the differential species
                              groups for,the primary subdivision of the Oxycocco -
                              Sphagnetea: dwarf shrub communities, lawn communities,
                              and oligotrophic fens);

                         b)   Sphagnum fuscum is an important hummock former in
                              eastern North American coastal areas, even in the
                              southern part of the raised bog zone (i.e., coastal
                              Maine, Damman 1977);

                         c)   there is less atmospherically derived nutrient en-
                              richment in coastal peatlands in eastern North America
                              than in.Europe (due to the more frequent continental
                              weather in eastern North America) as evidenced by the
                              absence of Sphagnum papillosum and S. subnitens in
                              coastal regions, suA as eastern Maine; and

                         d)   in eastern North America lawn communities are distinct
                              from both the hummock communities and the mud bottom
                              communities (Damman 1977) in all areas (except southern
                              inland peatlands).

                     The mild, oceanic climate of western Europe contrasts markedly with the
                 hot summers and cold winters of eastern North America that are produced by
                 the temporal interfingering of continental and sub-tropical weather systems.
                 In Europe thecoastal regions with raised.peatlands have a persistent and
                 pronounced atmospheric nutrient enrichment along with a mild.winter climate,
                 whereas in ea'stern North America a lesser enrichment is coupled with severe
                 and snow-rich winters (Damman 1979a). In coastal Maine these differences
                 are compounded by the sporadic snowfall and periods of well below freezing
                 temperatures with little or no snow cover (Damman 1977).

                                                                                              80

                          Consequently, Damman (1979a) concludes that the floristic criteria
                     used to distinguish in Europe the northern and continental peatlands from
                     the oceanic ones "cannot be applied to North America without seriously
                     distorting the ecological context" of the Sphagnetalia fusci and the
                     Eriophoro -.Sphagnetalia 2,1 @llos@i. For possible classifications of the
                     North American communities see Damman 1977 and 1979a.

                          Coastal North American Comparisons

                          The raised peatlands of eastern and western coastal North America are
                     little compared, either in terms of vegetation or morphology. Gross sim-
                     ilarities exist (Osvald 1928, Dachnowski-Stokes 1933, Rigg 1940) but there
                     are apparently significant differences (Worley 1980c). For example, only
                     28 of 210 peatland species.recorded for peatlands of the Maine and south-
                     eastern Alaskan coasts grow in both locations (Worley 1980c).

                          Worley (1980c) concludes that because the Maine Coastal Region receives
                     the severity of continental weather and lacks a persistent atmospheric
                     nutrient enrichment from the sea it contrasts in morphology and vegetation
                     compostion with the peatlands of southeastern Alaska (whose hyperoceanic
                     flora of liverworts and mosses is shared in northwestern Europe, Japan,
                     and the Himalayas, but.not eastern North America).

                          Greater similarity between the two North American coasts may exist if
                     one compares the Maine coastal raised peatlands with those of southern
                     'British Columbia and, adjacent Washington. Rigg (1940) describes plateau-form
                     peatlands near the mouth of the Fraser.River and in western Washington.

                          Some prominent species of ombrogenic peatlands shared between the two
                     coasts (Rigg 1940, Worley 1980c) are Scirpus cespitosus, Eriophorum angust-
                     ifolium. (a cotton-grass), beak-rush (Rhynchospora alba), round-leaved ;undew
                     (Drosera rotundifolia), baked-apple berry (Rubus chamaemorus), black crow-
                     berry (Empetrum nigrum)i Labrador tea (Ledum groenlandicum), bog laurel
                     (Kalmia polifolia), small cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos), Sphagnum fuscum,
                     Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum rubellum, Sphagnum tenellum, bog hair-cap moss
                     (Polytrichum strictum), Pleurozium schreberi (a moss), and Cladopodiella
                     fluitans (a liverwort).

                                  SELECTION OF COASTAL PEATLANDS RECOMMENDED
                                FOR EVALUATION BY THE CRITICAL AREAS PROGRAM

                      METHODS FOR THE RANKING AND SELECTION OF SITES FOR RECOMMENDATION

                     In the Introduction is given the general methodology for the collection
                of data from the field and.the literature. This section details the ana-
                lytical methodology used to classify the peatlands of the study area and to
                select those sites to be recommended as possible Critical Areas.'

                SigRificancy of Natural Features and Ranking of Sites

                     From.the distinguishing characteristics of the coastal raised peatlands
                described earlier in this report were selected 20 features (Figure 37) felt
                to represent best the natural significance of these peatlands. In addition
                to these "Coastal Features," 20 "Additional Features" (Figure 37) of signifi-
                cance for peatlands in general were chosen.

                     Evaluation Criteria Score Sheets (Figure 37) were then filled out for
                each site that contained some of the Coastal Features, according to a 3-point
                scale for the distinctiveness of the feature (i.e., how clear and exemplar
                the feature is) and for the extent of potentially available terrain occupied
                by the feature (e.g., is Rubus chamaemorous found over an entire plateau, or
                just in one small location).

                     For unvisited but overflown sites the score sheet proved adequate, but
                I feel that it is inappropriate to recommend a site as a possible Critical
                Area without a visit on the ground, and thus no unvisited site is here
                recommended for evaluation, though several are recommended for visits.

                     After the completion of scoring two values were computed on a Summary
                Table (Figure 38) for each site allowing a ranking of the sites based upon
                significant natural features. The Significancy Indexes are the highest for
                sites with many well-developed significant natural features.

                     The sites were then ranked by decreasing Coastal Features Significancy
                Index, and by decreasing All.Features Significancy Index. The former ranking
                is used in this report to determine which sites should be recommended for
                evaluation as possible Critical Areas, and compares the sites based upon
                those peatland features diagnostic of Coastal Peatlands. The latter ranking
                permits a partial, weighted comparison with Inland peatlands. Index values
                have only comparative meaning and are not included in this report.

                     The sites also were given a number from I to 4 based on the estimated
                interest of the general public based upon the natural qualities of the site,
                and similarly, upon the visibility of the peatland. These values were not
                used in the ranking of the sites.

                                                       81

                                                                                                                  COASTAL FEATURES
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             0          ID

                                    Cn         V                 0                      En         txj                          td         En                10    m          0     0           H                                                                                            m
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             rt         0
                                    0          m                                                               Ir-O                                                n          "     9                                                                                                        R          0
                                               Sb    H           'W'                    H,         "o,         w                "d,        H,.               VD    H.                           m                               0                                                                       Pi
                                               r1t                                      t-I        m           0                m                            rt    "          m     PI          m                H.             rt      ca                                                   m          0
                                    91.              0           0     10               V                      (n               rt         V                 m     10         o.    t.-h        W                0              1       (D                                                   M          m
                                    w                            rt    M                                                        ri         9:                w     r:         OQ                                 0              rt                                                           0j
                                    UQ                           't                                                             0                                             m                 0                               0
                                    0                            0     0                                                                                                                        :3                              10                                                           0
                                                                 10                     0                                                                    W     1--        0                 F-                              10                                                           t-h
                                                                                        m                                                                                                                        0              m
                                                                                        10
                                                    NEI                                                                                                                                                          GQ
                                                                 0     0                10                     m
                                                                                        H.                     19                                                                                                w              1@                                                           rt
                                                                                        rt                     0                r.                           n     0          0     0                            F.             0
                                                     m           m                      0                      PI               CO)        0                 m     0          rt                                 0              PI
                                    0                CA          Ib                                            9:               n          0                                  m                                  10
                                    w                m           rt                                m           In               0          0                                  0                 0                m              4
                                    ra               0                                             x                            119                                                             10                              w
                                                     rt                                            rt          m                                                                                m
                                    m                                                                          x                n          0                                        rt
                                    >4               0                                             m           f1t              0                                  rt               1-4                                         (D
                                    rt               0                 M                rt                     PI                                                  %4
                                                                       co                                      m                           9                                        0
                                    m                0                 m                m                      19               NO         :j                      n                0
                                                                       g                                       m                :j         P-                      0                F-                                          0
                                                                       Ct               g                                       H-         rt                      .4               14                                          Vq,
                                                                                                   sz                           rV         1.4                     m                                                            m
                                                     0                 0                                                        k4                                                  0
                                                     rt                                                        03                          10
                                                                                        cu         :j                           10
                                                     0                                  w          Ca.                          t-t        m
                                                                                        0                                       m          m
                                                                                        0                                                  m                                        0
                                                                                        CL         rt                                      ZI                                       NJ
                                                                                                                                           rt                                       m
                                                                                                               rt               rt
                                    rt                                                  rt

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Distinctiveness
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     of Feature*

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Occupation of
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     potentially available
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     terrain*

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Cownents

                                         Figure 37 (continued)                            83

                       Sea cut peat face

                       Sea enhanced marginal slope

                       Mineral soil water limit clearly
                       visible in vegetation and topog-
                       raphy (emphasis on topograby)

                 E-J   Ponds rare

                 U     Mud bottom communities rare,
                       anywhere on plateau

                       Distinctive ponds on marginal slopes

                       Sharply defined open peatland/
                       upland boundary

                       Stream enhanced marginal slope

                       Pronounced stream diversion

                       Pronounced lagg.with moat

                       Water track present

                 44    Soak present

                 z
                       Strongly patterned peatland surface
                 E-4

                       Complex of peatland types

                       Orchids abundant

                       Rare species present (give name,
                       citation)

                       Species disjunction and/or range
                       limit (give name, citation)

                                                                                                     84
                                                Figure 37. (continued)

                             Association with geomorphic, geologic,
                             hydrologic, biologic, or archeologic
                             sites or items of importance

                             Peatland with known historical
                             significance

                             Size of peatland system**

                             Size of raised peatland**

                             Size of principal or notable peatland
                             type**
                       E-4

                             Rare type of peatland system in Maine

                             Rare type of peatland system in USA

                             Rare type of peatland system in
                             North America

                             Rare type of peatland system in World

                      *Scoring:

                         Distinctiveness of feature

                             Exceptionally evident and clearly    distinctive   . . . . . . . . . .      3
                             Evident and easily discernible     . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        2
                             Barely discernible    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         1
                             Absent   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          0
                             Not sampled  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

                         Occupation of Potentially Available Terrain

                             Feature  occupies 67-100% of potentially available terrain      . . . .     3
                             Feature  occupies 34-66% of potentially available terrain       . . . .     2
                             Feature  present but occupies less than 34% of potentially
                                                                         available  terrain  . . . .     1
                             Feature  absent   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         0
                             Feature  not sampled  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

                      **For Distinctiveness of feature: 500 or more acres         . . . . . . . . .      3
                                                             100 to 499 acres   . . . . . . . . . .      2
                                                             less than 100 acres    . . . . . . . .      1

                             Leave "Occupation of-potentially available terrain" column%blank.

                                                                Figure 38

                                                              SUMMARY TABLE
                                      of Significancy Criteria Scoring for Coastal Raised Peatlands

                                                                  (ii)

                                        Numbers of          Distinctiveness       Terrain Occupation   Significancy Index
                                    features present         points scored           points scored
                                           VS.                     VS.                    VS.          (2i + ii + iii) X 100
                                     Total features           Totaf-points           Total points            4
                                        possible*               possible*              possible*

               (a) Coastal
                   Features

               (b) Additional
                   Features

               All Features
                 (a&b)

                 This value varies from site to'site,- as it only includes features for which data were collected.
                 This value is used to rank the sites according to "Coastal Plateau Features."
                 This value is used to rank the sites according to "All Features."

                                                                                                                                  Go
                                                                                                                                  Ln

                                                                                             86

                     Notes on the Significance of Features at Disturbed Sites

                          Peatland significance may be considered for (a) unaltered peatland (as
                     discussed in the preceding section and elsewhere in this report), (b) the
                     remnants of altered peatland, and (c) the present and potential successional
                     stages of altered peatland. Clearly, the few disturbed peatlands in the
                     study area have many features of significance, features scored in the deter-
                     mination.

                          The Remnants of Altered Peatland. In the Coastal Region major peatland
                     alteration occurs at only a few sites and includes peat mining, the removal
                     of surface vegetation, and the construction of roads, buildings, and other
                     structures. Even at the most severely altered site, the Jonesport Heath,
                     the mining practices have not obliterated the entire peatland. The propor-
                     tion of peat volume removed by mining or ditching for drains is far less
                     than the proportion of surface'area disrupted. In most areas of former
                     trench mining not all trenches reach the underlying mineral substrate, and
                     between the trenches are intact peats used for transportation and drying.
                     In the areas vacuum mined, the materials are removed relatively evenly.
                     Since the vacuum mining has been in operation foronly a few years, the bulk
                     of the peat is still present. Furthermore, most mining does not extend to
                     the very margins of the peatlands, but leaves areas of relatively undisturbed
                     peatland along the periphery of the sites. Thus, even at the mined sites
                     not only is a large proportion of the peat still present, it is intact strati-
                     graphically. At Kelley Heath there was only surficial disruption; thus the
                     peat deposit remains essentially undisturbed and natural.

                          The reclamation of trenched areas, by the mechanical smoothing of the
                     surface to permit future vacuum mining, is underway at the J6nesport Heath.
                     This reclamation destroys most of the residual stratigraphy.

                          Since the most heavily disturbed sites are the largest in the Coastal
                     Region, and since the largest peatlands in a region are the most responsive
                     to the regional climate and its changes, their peats contain an important
                     record of climatic and biotic activity. This is especially so at the Jones-
                     port Heath, whose multiple, contiguous plateaus are the only coastal circum-
                     stance approaching the very large coalesced peatlands (such as The Great
                     Heath and Meddybemps Heath) that lie inland on the periphery of the Coastal
                     Region. Consequently, the Jonesport Heath may provide information helping
                     to determine what permits the existence of the largest of Maine peatlands.

                          The hydrologic function (whose importance to adjacent ecosystems and
                     ground water regimes is unknown at this point) of the disturbed peatlands
                     in the Coastal Region seem not fundamentally changed. Even at the Jonesport
                     Heath the restoration of lost function may be possible by the careful block-
                     ing and filling of drains.

                          Successional Stages of Altered Peatland. It has not been determined
                     if the coastal raised peatlands, individually or as a group, are at an
                     ecological steady state, or whether some form of natural succession is in
                     progress. Observing succession following certain forms of disturbance may
                     help answer that question. Furthermore, since clearly the character of
                     succession will vary greatly among the different physio-climatic regions

                                                                                                 87

                  of Maine, and according to the kind of disturbance, disturbed peatlands in
                  the Coastal Region provide an excellent basis for the determination of the
                  types of succession that may occur. Such information is necessary for any
                  management, from consumptive use to complete preservation.

                        For the purposes of the Critical Areas ProgramP it would be preferable
                  that some disturbed sites were unaltered by the activities of man. However,
                  although mining or other disturbances have subdued the natural significance
                  of several peatlands, they have not denied that significance. In fact,
                  with respect to succession, disturbance has even added a component of sig-
                  nificance.

                  Site Classification

                        Each peatland cbnsidered in the study area was classified (c..f. Table 4,
                  at end of Results Section) according to its coastal or@inland character, and
                  its suitability for evaluation as a potential Critical.Area. Since not every
                  site was visited on the ground, some qualified classifications were necessi-
                  tated.

                        Coastal raised bogs are classified as R if recommended for evaluation as
                  a potential Critical Area, Rv if likely suitable for recommendation but more
                  data needed, X if clearly not suitable as a Critical Area., C if acceptably
                  natural but with insufficient characteristics now known to recommend for
                  evaluation, and Cv if likely a Coastal raised bog but more data needed to con-
                  firm coastal character and insufficient characteristics now known to recommend
                  for evaluation.

                        Peatlands are classified as I if clearly outside of the coastal region,
                  Iv if likely an inland type, acceptably natural, but with insufficient charac-
                  teristics now known to recommend for evaluation, and Ic if not a coastal raised
                  bog but in the coastal region and related to inland types.

                        Possible 'Shrub Slope peatlands are classified as S.

                        The exact inland boundary of the Coastal Region is imperfectly deter-
                  mined because of the inaccessibility of many of the peatlands. The over-
                  flight demonstrated that even if species such as black crowberry (Empetrum
                  nigrum) and baked-apple berry (Rubus chamaemorous) occur farther from the
                  coast than is indicated by this classification of the sites, prominent
                  Sphagnum fuscum.communities with them, and central Scirpus cespitosus lawns
                  do not.

                                                    RESULTS

                 Summary of the Classification of the Peatlands in the Study Area

                      In this study in excess of 229 peatlands (Table 4, this table appears
                 at the end of the Results section) were considered, with study intensity
                 ranging from well-referenced sites which received several visitations, over-
                 flight and aerial photo interpretation and mapping, to sites only noted on
                 topographic quadrangles, overflown, or identified on aerial photos. More
                 than 159 (69%) peatlands were overflown. On-the-ground visits were made to
                 59 (26%) individual@peatlands.

                      Of the sites, 21 (10%) are recommended for evaluation as possible Criti-
                 cal Areas (which, after mergers actually total 18 recommendations). For an
                 additional 18 (8%) unvisited sites, it is recommended that on-the-ground
                 visits be made, as the sites are likely to have sufficient qualities as pos-
                 sible Critical Areas. Thirteen (6%) sites (including more than 22 locations)
                 are recommended for study as possible Shrub Slope peatlands, although the
                 actual number of sites actually having Shrub Slope peatlands may be consider-
                 ably less.

                      Only'14 (6%) sites were found totally unsuitable for evaluation as poten-
                 tial Critical Areas. That 94% of the peatlands have natural features and/or
                 integrity sufficient that Critical Area status could be possible is noteworthy.
                 This percentage of naturalness far exceeds that for any European country, a
                 continent where peatland use has had a long history. At least 113 (49%) sites
                 have acceptable natural conditions, but lack, or likely lack, sufficient fea-
                 tures to recommend for evaluation as potential Critical Areas; 55 are classi-
                 fied as Cv, 13 as C, and 45 as Iv. More than 62 (27%) sites were found to be
                 principally Inland in character, 10 occurring well within the Coastal Region.

                      The coastline of the study area consists of a series of peninsulas and
                 islands projecting into the sea, alternating with sounds, bays, and elongated
                 river mouths with long estuaries. The boundary between Inland and Coastal
                 peatlands lies somewhat slightly seaward of the generalized landward extent
                 of tidal effect (Figure 1). This boundary appears to be nearer the sea to
                 the southwest end of the study area, and farther inland near the New Bruns-
                 wick border, although additional documentation in these areas is necessary
                 to produce a definitive boundary line.

                      It is inappropriate for this report to suggest that any of the Inland
                 peatlands might qualify as a Critical Area, for the full complement of peat-
                 lands of that type would need to be considered as a group.

                      Most,of the Inland peatlands seen in the landward portion of the study
                 area are slightly to noticeably raised plateaus, uniformly vegetated with

                      *All percentages are based upon 229 peatlands. The percentages total
                 slightly more than 100% for the categories since some sites received more
                 than a single classification.

                                                      88

                                                                                              89

                      vigorous dwarf shrub communities, with trees restricted to or near the
                      margins, with no or mottled surface pattern (as viewed at a scale of about
                      1:12,000), and without pools or pool systems. A much smaller number are
                      similar except that they have varying amounts of open canopy (savannah)
                      tree cover. These peatlands may be adjacent to rivers, large streams, or
                      lakes, or in basins in upland related to ponds or water courses. At the
                      inland edge of the study area are a few, domed, large raised peatlands with
                      pond systems in their upper elevations.

                      Sites Recommended for Evaluation as Possible Critical Areas

                          Eig4teen sites (Tables 2, 3) are recommended for evaluation as possible
                      Critical Areas. One site has an "undecided" status. An additional eighteen
                      sites are likely suitable for evaluation; these are discussed following this
                      section. The sites spaL- the length of the study area (Figure 39), though only
                      three lie west of Addison. The greatest concentrations are in Jonesport and Beals
                      (6 sites), and over half (10) are fairly evenly distributed from Roque Bluffs to
                      Lubec.
                           Of these peatlands.(the eighteen recommended plus the one undecided peatland):
                                a)  As measured to their centers all but four are within 0.5
                                    mile of tidewater. Only three centers exceed one mile from
                                    tidewater: Kelley Point Peatland Complex, 1.1 mile; Jones-
                                    port Heath North Unit, 1.3 miles; and Jonesport Heath (the
                                    largest plateau) 1.8 miles.

                                b)  More than half of the peatlands are less than one mile from
                                    the generalized coastline of Eastern Maine as drawn from
                                    peninsula tip to peninsula tip; only three are beyond 3.3
                                    miles from that line, Great Cove and Larrabee Heaths are
                                    4.4 miles, and Kelley Heath is 5.1 miles distant.

                                c>  Only West Quoddy Head Heath at 110 feet elevation exceeds
                                    70 feet above sea level. '

                                d)  Site acreages (approximate) range from 720 (Jonesport Heath)
                                    to 13 (West Quoddy Head Heath) with a median of 110.

                                e)  Acreages (approximate) of the non-forested peatland portions
                                    of the sites range from 640 (Jonesport Heath) to 7 (West
                                    Quoddy Head Heath) with a median of 75.

                                f)  Acreages (approximate) of individual peatland units with
                                    distinctive plateau morphology (at sites 2, 3, 4, 7, 8. 9,
                                    11, 12, 16, and 18) range from 170 (Corea Heath) to 22 (Car-
                                    rying Place Cove Bog) with a median of 116.

                                g)  The peatlands farthest from tidewater or the generalized
                                    coastline are among the largest peatlands, indicating that
                                    with increasing distance from the sea a larger open peat-
                                    land expanse is required for the display of coastal phe-.
                                    nomena.

                                                                                          90

                      Table 2. Location and size of Coastal Raised Peatlands recommended for
                 evaluation as possible Critical Areas and including a significant peatland in
                 an undecided category listed from west to east. Following the site name and
                 township are a brief location, the U.S.G.S. quadrangle upon which the site
                 appears, and the approximate site acreage. For some sites acreages of open or
                 plateau portions of the site are less than acreages given in this table; see
                 site descriptions in the text for those figures.

                      I., BIG HEATH, MT. DESERT ISLAND, Southwest Harbor
                               0.8 mile NW of Bennet Cove, Mt. Desert Island. Swans Island
                               15' Quad. 423 ac.

                      2. GREAT CRANBERRY ISLE HEATH, Cranberry Isles
                               SW*quarter of Great Cranberry Isle. Swans Island 15' Quad.
                               217 ac.

                      3. COREA HEATH, Gouldsboro
                               0.5 mile NW of Corea. Petit Manan 71-2' Quad. 253 ac.

                      4. WEST JONESPORT HEATH, Jonesport
                               Between heads of Hay Creek and Snare Creek. Addison 7Y and
                               Jonesport 7Y Quad. 78 ac.

                      5. CENTRAL PEATLANDS, GREAT WASS ISLAND, Beals
                               0.5 mile E of Norton Point, 0.6 mile NE of Three Falls Har-
                               bor, and 0.3 mile NW of Cape Cove. Great Wass Island 7Y
                               Quad. 11b ac.

                      6. SOUTHWEST PEATLAND, GREAT WASS ISLAND, Beals
                               0.3 mile N of The Pond. Great Wass Island 7-2' Quad. 67 ac.

                      7. JONESPORT HEATH, Jonesport (Undecided)
                               The whole interconnected and lobed complex of peatlands south
                               of E-W stream 2.0 miles directly W of Bar Island; the complex
                               extends to 0.3 mile N of the head of Sawyer Cove. Jonesport
                               7k' Quad. 720 ac.

                      8. NORTH UNIT, JONESPORT HEATH, Jonesport
                               1.5 miles E of Indian River community (c.f. Addison 7k' Quad.).
                               Jonesport 71-2' Quad. 239 ac.

                      9. KELLEY POINT PEATLAND COMPLEX, Jonesport
                               Complex of peatlands between Rhine Point, Kelley Point, and
                               Sawyer Cove; includes large unit, small unit between road
                               and Kelley Point, and unit W of road, 0.4 mile W of Loon
                               Point. Jonesport 71@' Quad. 254 ac.

                    10. GREAT COVE HEATH, Roque Bluffs
                               0.8 mile NE of Great Cove, N of road. Machias 711' Quad.
                               98 ac.

                    11. LARRABEE HEATH, Machiasport
                               0.7 mile SW of Larrabee. Machias 7Y Quad. 235 ac.

                                                                                                  91
                                                     Table 2 (cont.)

                           12. KELLEY REATH, Cutler
                                    0.4 mile S of Huntley Creek, by small U.S. Navy transmission
                                    station. Machias Bay 7;1' Quad. 170 ac.

                           13. HEATH, 1.9 MILES WEST OF NORTH CUTLER, Cutlet
                                    1.9 miles W of North Cutler. Machias Bay 731' Quad. 30 ac.

                           14. NORTH CUTLER HEATHS, Cutler
                                    0.4, 0.7, and 1.1 miles W of North Cutler. Machias Bay 7@2,'
                                    Quad. 113 ac.

                           15. MOOSE RIVER HEATH, Trescott
                                    0.3 mile S of Moose River, 0.3 mile W of shore. Cutler 15'
                                    Quad.. 61 ac.

                           16. SOUTH TRESCOTT HEATH, Trescott
                                    0.8 mile W of Baileys Mistake. West Lubec 711' Quad. 106 ac.

                           17. BOOT COVE HEATH, Lubec
                                    0.4 mile W of Boot Covei West Lubec 711' Quad. 49 ac.

                           18. CARRYING PLACE COVE BOG, Lubec
                                    West Quoddy Head neck, N of Carrying Place Cove. Lubec 7@'
                                    Quad. 43 ac.

                           19. WEST QUODDY HEAD HEATH, Lubec
                                    0.6 mile SW of West Quoddy Head lighthouse. Lubec 7Y    Quad.
                                    13 ac.

                                                                                           92

                              Table 3.   Significancy Ranking of Recoumendedand Undecided Sites

                                                                                   General
                   Coastal                                                 All     Public    Visi-
                  Features                       Site                   Features Interest bility

                       1*         Carrying Place Cove Bog**                 3        1         1

                       2*         Kelley Point Peatland Complex**           1        2         2

                       3*         Jonesport Heath                           2        1         3

                       4*         North Unit, Jonesport  Heath              5        2         3

                       5*         Corea Heath                               6        2         2

                       6*         North Cutler Heaths                      12        4         2

                       7*         Kelley Heath, Cutler                     10        3         2

                       8*         Great Cranberry Isle Heath                9        3         3

                       9*         Central Peatlands,
                                  Great Wass Island                         7        2         3

                     10*          Southwest Heath,
                                  Great Wass Island                         8        2         3

                     11*          Big Heath, Mt. Desert Island              4        1         3

                     12           West Jonesport Heath**                   15        2         1

                     13*          Heath, 1.9 miles W of
                                  North Cutler                             18        4         4

                     14*          Boot Cove Heath                          14        4         3

                     15           Larrabee Heath                           11        3.        2

                     16           South Trescott Heath                     13        3         3

                     17           Moose River Heath                        16        3         2

                     18           Great Cove Heath, Roque Bluffs           17        3         2

                     19           West Quoddy Head Heath                   19        4         4

                       Scirpus cespitosus present on plateau, often as Scirpus lawn communities.

                       Sites with peat erosion by tidewater.

                       Undecided Status Regarding Critical Area Designation.

                                                                                                      93
                                                       Table 3 (cont.)

                      General Public Interest:

                           Includes interest by resident and non-resident lay public in scenic
                      qualities (vista, reminiscent of Arctic, mysterious or eerie, colorful,
                      lies near shore or in enclosed valley, etc.), berry production, size,
                      history (natural or human), and similar features; does not include economic
                      interests such as mining, horticulture, silviculture, water retention, land-
                      fill, or development.

                           Public interest currently exhibited; much interest expected
                               when public becomes informed . .1  . . . . . . . . ... . . . . .        1

                           Occasional.public interest currently exhibited; greater
                               interest expected when public becomes informed    . . . . . . . .       2

                           Public interest currently minor or rare, moderate interest,
                               or more, expected when public becomes informed    . . . . . . . .       3

                           Essentially no public interest; would take considerable
                               education or interpretation to maintain public interest                 4

                      Nisibility:

                           Seen from above, easy access     . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        1
                           Seen from above, mo@erate to difficult access; or
                               seen from marginal vista, easy access     . . . . . . . . . . . .       2

                           Seen from marginal vista, moderate to difficult access       . . . . .      3

                           Seen from within site, vistas limited, moderate to
                               difficult access  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         4

                INDEX OF USGS OUADRANGLES

                126   Gardner Lake
                                                                                                                           A
                127A  Pembroke
                127B  Eastport
                127C  Whiting
                127D  West Lubec
                127E  Lubec
                1 40  Tunk Lake                                               777777777@@                          'A :t"4 144-
                                                                                                    -1A
                                                                                 '0,
                                                                               4
                141   Cherryfield
                                                                                                        .!43i.
                141A  Cherryfield
                141B  Harrington
                142A  Columbia Falls
                142B  Whitneyville                                                         :C:@
                                                                                                              ot  C
                142C  Addison
                142D  Jonesport                                                                                               12
                                                                                                     159
                                                                                                158
                 43A  Machias                                                                                               14
                                                                                                      A/
                143B  Machias  Bay
                143C  Roque Bluffs                                                                                      13

                                                                                                                9
                143D  Cross Island
                                                                                                      .7    6
                144A  Cutler                                                               3
                                                                                                    4    -5
                144B  Moose  River
                155  Blue Hill
                156  Mount Desert
                157  Bar Harbor
                                                                                  2
                158A Petit Manan
                1 58B Bois Bubert
                159A Drisko Island
                159B GreatWass Island
                170 Deer Isle
                171   Swans Island

                                                                                                Figure  39. Location of rec
                                                                                                and undecided coastal raise

                                                                                                  95

                          When ranked in order of the Coastal Features Significancy Index (Table
                     3) the first 14 peatlands have Scirpus cespitosus on the raised peats and/or
                     have peat erosion by tidewater, the top two have both features. The differ-
                     ences in the ranking based upon "All.Features" is mostly attributable to
                     the presence or absence of biogeographically significant species and commu-
                     nities. Note that sites with high General Public Interest or Visibility
                     occur variously within the ranking.

                          The reasons for recommendation, location, and general description of
                     the nineteen sites follow, in order from west to east. Names have been
                    .assigned each site, using existing names when known. The acreages (approxi-
                     mate at best) were calculated by dot-grid method from U.S.G.S. maps, the
                     boundaries drawn from map data, air photo interpretation, field checks, and
                     the overflight. Additional comments regarding condition and use, as well as
                     more detailed descriptions of site boundaries, are available from the Critical
                     Areas Program.

                     I BIG REATH, MOUNT DESERT ISLAND, Southwest Harbor

                          Reasonsfor Recommendation:

                          Big Heath is recommended because it is the southwesternmost coastal
                     raised peatland in Atlantic North America, with an excellent display of
                     coastal vegetation. In completely natural condition it lies at an ecologi-
                     cally important transition between climatic zones, and is at the limit of
                     distribution of certain species and communities. Its pond system is unique
                     in Atlantic coastal United States. The significance of Big Heath, among
                     115 coastal raised peatlands in Maine, ranks 11th for Coastal Peatland
                     Features and 4th for All Peatland Features.

                          Significant Features:

                          - southwestern limit of the known coastal and lowland distribution of
                               baked-apple berry (Rubus chamaemorus, which does not flower here),
                               black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), the Empetrum nigrum - Sphagnum
                               fuscum community, the Scirpus cespitosus - Sphagnum fuscum commu-
                               nity, and the 'Scirpus cespitosus lawn physiognomy
                          - southwestern limit of 6bviously raised peatlands
                          - southernmost peatland in eastern United States with a well-developed
                               surface pond system
                          - variety of pond, pond margin and wet depression communities
                          - one of only two ombrotrophic peatlands in Maine known to me to have
                               skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus)
                          - only circumstance of water lilies in ponds of raised peatlands of
                               the Coastal Region
                          - area of lichen -.Sphagnum fuscum -.Empetrum nigrum maritime community
                          - common juniper (Juniperus communis) present on ombrotrophic peats
                               (possibly southern limit in peatlands)
                          - breeding site for the uncommon Lincoln Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii),
                               also frequented by the Palm Warbler (,Dendroica palmarum)

                                                                                          96

                     Location and Size:

                     Located at the southern end of Mount Desert Island in Acadia National
                Park, Big Heath lies north of Route 102A less than a mile southwest of the
                Seawall Pond campground and picnic area. Open peatland accounts for about
                150 of the more than 420 acres of the site.

                     Ecology:

                     A most significant biogeographical site along the Atlantic Coast of
                North America, and diagnostic of biologically important climatic limits,
                Big Heath can be expected to have additional species and communities other
                than those listed above that are at distribution limits.

                     Big Heath is a relatively small raised peatland whose basic plateau con-
                figuration partially is masked by low and tall tree cover, by limited lateral
                dimensions which reduce the height of raised peats, and sometimes by bisect-
                ing or marginal drainages or small streams which further reduce the raised
                area. The peatlarid,is much forested along its margins and.in most of its
                northern area, and has a number of tree islands in the largest open area,
                the southern portion.

                     Most of the significant features are located in the open area, through
                which passes the very important drainage. Emanating from the northern por-
                tion of the peatland, a broad wet area arcs southwestward, becoming wider
                and wetter nearer the southern edge of the peatland.. A variety of communi-
                ties-favoring wet depressions and soaks occur, including several Sphagnum
                dominated communities, mud bottom communities, and Scirpus cespitosus
                communities that have or approach lawn physiognomy. With increasing fre-
                quency and size to the south are a series of depressions and ponds, slightly
                patterned (a quite crude ladder formation). Wetter than any others I have
                experienced in Maine, the fringes of these surficial ponds are, in places,
                quaking (buoyant or floating). In some of the ponds grow water lilies.
                Skunk cabbage grows here and there in wet peat depressions (also in the
                nearby lagg, the peatland margin).

                     To the sides of the wet area are raised peats with dwarf shrub communi-
                ties, the Empetrum nigrum - Sphagnum. fuscum community, and clusters of black
                spruce of various sizes. Black crowberry occurs throughout most of the open
                peatland, but baked-apple berry grows rather locally, and is not known to
                flower or fruit here. In places the Sphagnum fuscum approaches the "hollow-
                less plain" character; elsewhere there are typical hummocks and hollows. In
                some areas lichens form a prominent, rich understory for dwarf shrubs, often
                in conjunction with Sphagnum fuscum and/or black crowberry. The lichen -
                black crowberry hummocks are especially showy, and reveal the extreme mari-
                time location of this peatland. As with other extreme maritime sites, there
                is common juniper (Juniperus communis) in the open peatland.

                     Consequently, this site contains many of the elements of the Coastal
                Plateau Bog peatland type, but not simply zoned as at Jonesport Heath, the
                type example.

                                                                                               97

                          Condition and Use:

                          The National Park,Service has not "improved" this site; there are no
                     signs, parking pull-outs, or trails. Disruption is no greater, in general,
                     than that at most other unmined sites covered by this report, except that
                     there has been moderate to heavy trampling in the vicinity of the ponds.

                          There is potential for considerable disruption of the most significant
                     features of this site. This site has far more tourists, and possibly more
                     permanent residents, nearby than any other site recommended by this report.

                          Of especial fragility are: the narrow drainage ways; the drainage pat-
                     terns between and among the wet depressions; the plant communities in those
                     areas, other wet areas, and in the ponds; the peat margins of the ponds,
                     especially when soggy or floating; the very edges of the ponds, which may
                     be overhanging, vertical, or sloping in shape, as well as receding through
                     decay, advancing through growth or stationary; the pond and depression bot-
                     toms, which are peats unprotected by vegetation and root mats, and which,
                     if undisturbed, may undergo accelerated decay; and the Sphagnum fuscum -
                     Empetrum nigrum terrain and areas with extensive lichen development, with
                     hummock-hollow and/or "hollowless plain" form.

                     2 GREAT CRANBERRY ISLE HEATH, Cranberry Isles

                          Reasons for Recommendation:

                          Great Cranberry Isle Heath is recommended because it is the south-
                     westernmost peatland in Atlantic North America that clearly displays the
                     coastal plateau morphology and characteristic coastal plant community zona-
                     tion. In completely natural condition the peatland provides habitat for
                     species and communities at or near the limit of their distribution. The
                     significance of Great Cranberry Isle Heath, among 115 coastal raised peat-
                     lands in Maine, ranks 8th for Coastal Peatland Features and 9th for All Peat-
                     land Features.

                          Significant Features:

                          - "offset" plateau, with height on upstream side of peatland
                          - Empetrum nigrum - Sphagnum fuscum community well developed, with
                               abundant baked-apple berry (Rubus chamaemorus)
                          - Scirpus cespitosus lawns on upstream flank of peatland
                          - Sphagnum fuscum - lichen community locally prominent
                          - easternmost location in United States with skunk cabbage (@@107
                               carpus foetidus) on'ombrotrophic peats, one of only two Maine
                               raised peatlands with the species
                          - frequent, locally abundant common juniper (Juniperus communis) on
                               plateau
                          - two kinds of scattered spruce islands; no other Coastal Plateau
                               peatland visited has a similar region of islands of so uniformly
                               stunted spruce
                          - cranberries at this peatland and at a smaller peatland on a nearby
                               island presumably have provided the names for two islands, a
                               harbor, a post office, and a township

                                                                                         98

                      Location and Size:

                      This moderately large coastal raised peatland occupies about half of
                 the southwestern corner of Great Cranberry Isle. The site contains about
                 215 acres, at least 150 of which are open peatland.

                      Ecology:

                      Although the nearby "Big Heath" on Mt. Desert Island is slightly more
                 southerly and westerly, its raised peatlands lack the clear plateau form and
                 the characteristic Coastal Plateau Bog community zonation.of Great Cranberry
                 Isle Heath. This peatland slopes to the west from its upper, eastern reaches,
                 which have areas with considerable Scirpus cespitosus. Baked-apple berry
                 (Rubus chamaemorus) is abundant in @_he Empetrrm nigrum - Sphagnum fuscum
                 community, widespread in the center of the peatland. It is not known to me
                 if the Rubus fruits (as it does eastward of this site) or if it is sterile
                 (as it is at nearby Big Heath to.the west). Common juniper (Junipprus
                 communis) is frequent and'locally abundant in the central Sphagnum fuscum.
                 communities.

                      Black spruce (Picea mariana) forms two kinds of islands rather evenly
                 scattered, and possibly patterned, in the continuous, but exceptionally
                 variable plateau communities (including Sphagnum fuscum - lichen, f. fuscum
                 plains, and hummocky S. fuscum communities). Most commonly the spruce,
                 everywhere yellowed due to the extreme nutrient deficiency, form sub-circular
                 to elongate, low islands less than 3 feet in height, a few to several feet
                 in horizontal extent. A very few islands have trees to 6-8 feet tall, with
                 a typical encircling ring of layered progeny. In the Coastal Region spruce
                 are absent on larger plateaus, and when present on smaller plateaus grade
                 in height rather evenly from tall, marginal trees to shorter,more stunted'
                 individuals in central parts of the peatlands. Peatlands with areas of
                 uniformly stunted spruce seem generally restricted,to inland locations. Con-
                 sequently, the presence of spruce islands amid the well-developed coastal
                 communities may reflect that this peatland, like the neighboring Big Heath,
                 is at the transition between major biogeographical (both floristic and eco-
                 logical) zones of the New England coast.

                      An unvisited narrow arm of the peatland descends westwardly toward the
                 sea.. It may be a fen. drainage for the peatland, and possibly contains
                 features of significance.

                      Vaccinium oxycoccus (small cranberry) is widespread in the Sphagnum.
                 fuscum communities, especially where shrub growth is subdued. In favorable
                 seasons abundant cranberries would have attracted pickers in colonial times.
                 Presumably, the abundance of cranberries in this peatland, and a smaller
                 one on an adjacent island, gave rise to the names of the islands Great
                 Cranberry and Little Cranberry, the intervening harbor Cranberry Harbor,
                 the Cranberry Isles post office, and the Cranberry Isles township.

                     .Condition and Use:.'

                      This peatland appears little visited and in excellent natural condition.

                                                                                               99

                     3 COREA HEATH, Gouldsboro

                          Reasons for Recommendation:

                          Corea Heath is recommended because it is a clearly raised, essentially
                     treeless, coastal peatland with its distinctively coastal vegetation promi-
                     nently patterned in concentric arcs--a rare phenomenon in the coastal region.
                     Furthermore, much of the peatland, whose circular shape and adjacent "bays"
                     of peatland at lower elevations are noteworthy, contains abundant Scirpus
                     cespitosus, often as lawns; only one other peatland has such prominent Scirpus.
                     The significance of Corea Heath, among 115 coastal raised peatlands in Maine,
                     ranks 5th for Coastal Peatland Features and 6th for All Peatland Features.

                          Significant Features:

                          - clearly raised, essentially treeless peatland with steeper marginal
                               slopes
                          - one of only three coastal raised peatlands with concentric patterning,
                               most clearly defined, and second most extensive patterning of any
                               peatland in the Coastal Region
                          - one of only three coastal raised peatlands with abundant Scirpus
                               cespitosus on most of raised portion of peatland
                          - one of only three coastal raised peatlands of essentially circular
                               form
                          - one of the larger peatlands in the Coastal Region
                          - adjacent peatland "bays" on downslope (southern) margins of the plateau
                          -multiple drainages with locally prominent marginal fens with various
                               vegetation types
                          -a few jack pines (Pinus banksiana) at the pearland margins; the only
                               Maine peatland other than those on Great Wass Island known to have
                               the species
                          -common juniper (Juniperus communis) a common constituent
                          -portions of the plateau have abundant lichens in the Sphagnum. fuscum
                               communities
                          -readily visible and highly accessible

                          Location and Size:

                          This site is the largest peatland near Corea; it abuts the village and
                     lies. south and west of the main road to that community. Access is easy from
                     all sides. The site is about 250 acres, of which over 210 are open with about
                     170 plateau.

                          Ecology:

                          In spite of former disruptions, which appear to be only surficial, and
                     fortunately do not include drainages, this peatland has numerous prominent
                     natural features of significance.

                          A large proportion of this peatland, especially throughout the southern
                     half, is characterized by ridge and depression relief, being more clearly
                     defined than at any other peatland in the Coastal Region. The hollows con-
                     tain a variety of mud bottom, Scirpus cespitosus,dwarf shrub, and lichen

                                                                                           100

                 dominated communities; some retain surface water for long periods and
                 approach pond structure. The ridges similarly are variously composed,
                 and include Sphagnum fuscum, black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), dwarf
                 shrub, lichen, and highly stunted (less than 2-3 feet tall) spruce (Picea
                 mariana) dominated communities.

                      Only three other raised peatlands in Maine have  such high proportions
                 of their surfaces with Scirpus cespitosus or Scirpus lawn communities.
                 Kelley Heath and Carrying Place Cove Bog are the most similar, presumably due
                 to the disturbance history of the sites; the portions of North Cutler Heath
                 with extensive Scirpus is quite different, no doubt due to the lack of dis-
                 turbance. At Corea Heath Scirpus cespitosus is most prominent in broad
                 hollows on the lower slopes and margins of the plateau, but it Also grows as
                 scattered individuals throughout the peatland.

                      The graminoid dominated vegetation of the two prominent drainage ways,
                 one to the north and one to the southwest, is frequently rich in broadleaf
                 herbs. The marginal laggs are mostly open, but have forested fen in places.

                      Condition and Use:

                      A U.S. Navy electronics facility with a large, circular, concrete antenna
                 pad abuts the west side.of the peatland. A very minor area of peatland was
                 destroyed by the construction, and the lateral effect of the facility into
                 the peatland seems nil. From the east, an abandoned access road   'built upon
                 fill atop the plateau peats leads about k of the way across the heath to an
                 apparently abandoned small frame building. Associated boardwalks and fence
                 posts are in considerable disrepair and are being overgrown by Sphagnum and
                 other plants. These disturbances have only minor local effect upon the peat-
                 land. If the peatland surface was laid bare some time ago (as at Kelley Heath),
                 the only evidence apparent is the extensive Scirpus cespitosus. The exact
                 character and dates of the disturbances were not det-e-rmined. Since drainage
                 patterns appear unaltered, and since the peat deposit seems intact, the site
                 offers significant opportunity to investigate regenerative rates and patterns
                 in the Coastal Region. Of particular interest are growthrates in the vicin-
                 ity of vehicle tracks, fence posts and boardwalks.

                      Although access is easy from several locations along roads and from the
                 contiguous Navy base, present use appears minimal.

                 4 WEST JONESPORT HEATH, Jonesport

                      Reasons for Recommendation:

                      West Jonesport Heath is recommended because it is a highly visible,
                 prominently raised, essentially natural coastal plateau peatland with charac-
                 teristic coastal vegetation zonation. The only coastal raised peatland in
                 the United Statesvith open peatland communities contiguous with tidal marsh,
                 it is only one of two coastal peatland plateaus in the United States with tide-
                 water erosion. The significance of West Jonesport Heath, among 115 coastal
                 raised peatlands in Maine, ranks 12th for Coastal Peatland Features and 15th
                 for All Peatland Features.

                                                                                                  101

                          Significant Features:

                          - oblong plateau with a clearly offset upper region
                          - vegetation zonation characteristic on surface and slopes of plateau,
                               the only Coastal Plateau peatland in the United States*with open
                               peatland communities abutting tidal marsh
                          - exceptionally simple in.morphology and vegetation
                          - Sphagnum fuscum plains with baked-apple berry (Rubus chamaemorus)
                               and black crowberry (Empetrum. nigrum.) prominent at plateau height
                          - minor depressions and semi-permanent ponds mark the steeper marginal
                               slopes
                          - peatland may extend beneath or beyond the tidal creek
                          - persistent gull activity on peatland height with moderate midden

                          Location and Size:

                          Totally visible from Route 187 about I mile north of West Jonesport, this
                     peatland lies west of the roadway between the heads of Hay Creek and Snare
                     Creek. The site contains about 78 acres, some 60 of which are open plateau.

                          Ecology:

                          Highest in the northern third of the plateau, and higher in the west
                     than in the east, the site clearly displays the "offset dome" phenomenon,
                     wherein the maximum elevation of the peatland is not central, but lies clos-
                     est to the upstream end of the site (i.e., the northern and western upland
                     boundaries are higher than the southern and eastern boundaries).

                          The long slope of the  peatland to the south and southeast end in salt-
                     water marshes, with areas of direct tidal erosion of the peat forming vertical
                     and slump erosion escarpments up to three feet or more in height. One of the
                     most significant features of this tidewater erosion is the potential for
                     accurate determination of land/sea relationships on a coast where relative
                     sea level has been rising. The site becomes especially significant if, as.
                     is certainly possible, the peats extend beneath the intertidal, or if there
                     are relict peats south of the Hay Creek once (or perhaps still) contiguous
                     with the plateau. The effectiveness of the enhanced drainage of the peat-
                     land caused by the Hay Creek in establishing a sloping topography is seen
                     graphically from the road or air. One small surface pond lies at the norther-
                     most end, and a few ponds or depressions mark the steeper slopes or the break
                     in the slope along the southeastern quarter where tidewater drainage is evi-
                     dent.

                          Few in number, the vegetation types have characteristic Coastal Plateau
                     Bog zonation. The height of the plateau has well-developed Sphagnum fuscum
                     plains and hummocks, with locally abundant black crowberry (Empetrum. nigrum),
                     baked-apple berry (Rubus chamaemorus), and bog goldenrod.(Solidago uliginosa);
                     Scirpus cespitosus appears absent. At slightly lower elevations, and covering
                     the bulk of the peatland, are dwarf shrub communities, with sheep laurel
                     (Kalmia angustifolia) and leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata) prominent.
                     The southern and most of the eastern margins are bordered with more vigorous
                     dwarf shrub communities, commonly with sweet-gale (Myrica gale) and rhodora
                     (Rhododendron canadense). Along the western margin grow coniferous trees in
                     a very narrow zone.

                                                                                         102

                      A colony of large gulls rests and feeds on the upper elevations of the
                 peatland. Their rather abundant midden consists primarily of crab shells
                 and bread wrappers. Some gull occupied hummocks are totally dead due to
                 guano, others have an adventive grass, and a few contain small mammal dens.
                 Deer trails parallel the peatland margins, and raccoon scats with baked-
                 apple berry (Rubus chamaemorus) remains are locally and seasonally abundant.

                      The significancy ranking of this site would be considerably higher were
                 Scirpus cespitosus present, especially in a lawn community. Also, since the
                 site is exceptionally simple in morphology and vegetation, it did not score
                 as high as more diverse sites. It should be recognized that its simplicity
                 imparts noteworthy significance as well.

                      Condition and Use:

                      Except for the items listed below, this peatland is in excellent natural
                 condition. Fire scars are evident in the southwestern quarter. However, in
                 the upper plateau there appears to be a former growth surface 8-16 inches
                 down, upon which present hummocks have formed.

                      The site seems to receive almost no direct human use, an especially note-
                 worthy fact due to its visibility and accessibility. An old drainage(?) ditch
                 scar partly crosses part of the plateau beginning at the east margin about 1/3
                 of the way from the south end.

                      The Jonesport landfill lies immediately adjacent to the northwestern
                 edge of the plateau, on slightly higher ground than the peatland and only a
                 few yards from it. Transgressions of runoff containing the numerous solutes
                 from refuse, air blown materials, fumes, noise, and fire can and do invade the
                 peatland.

                 5 CENTRAL PEATLANDS, GREAT WASS ISLAND, Beals

                      Reasons for Recommendation:

                      The Central Peatlands of Great Wass Island are recommended because they
                 are an outstanding example of the variation in peatland types along an ombro-
                 trophic (nutrients scarce, from precipitation) to minerotrophic (nutrients
                 abundant, from surface and ground water) gradient. In completely natural
                 condition the peatlands have exemplar coastal vegetation features including
                 the only peatland in the northeastern United States to have jack pine (Pinus
                 banksiana) as a prominent feature. The significance of these peatlands,
                 among 115 coastal raised peatlands in Maine, ranks 9th for Coasal Peatland
                 Features and 7th for All Peatland Features.

                      Significant Features:

                      - three peatlands, hydrologically connected; the western has a Coastal
                           Plateau Bog, the eastern is a graminoid fen, the middle is tran-
                           sitional
                      - complex hydrology, including marginal fens by raised peatland, and
                           noteworthy water track drainage in middle peatland

                                                                                                   103

                           - diversity of fen communities
                           - characteristic Empetrum nigrum    Sphagnum fuscum communities with
                                some "hollowless" plain development
                           - large areas with Scirpus cespitosus communities adjacent to plateau
                           - peatland merges with upland organic soils in places
                           - jack pine (Pinus banksiana) habit and habitat very similar with
                                shore pine (P:Cn-us contorta) habit and habitat on maritime peat-
                                lands along the Gulf of Alaska

                           Location and Size:

                           This site, owned by The Nature Conservancy, includes three open peatlands
                     in central Great Wass Island (Table 4):    "0.5 mile E of Norton Point," 110.6
                     mile NE of Three Falls Harbor," and "0.3 mile NW of Cape Cove." It includes
                     roughly 110 acres, of which about 75 are   open peatland.

                           Ecology:

                           The three open peatLands and their connecting isthmuses demonstrate
                     a complex hydrology that extends beyond the peatland margins, at some places
                     into ecosystems with shallow peat or organic soils. The two western of the
                     three peatlands warrant recommendation in their own right, the third may as
                     well, but it has not been compared with other, similar sites. In addition to
                     the importance of the individual peatlands, the site gains considerable sig-
                     nificance because of the hydrological continuity of the peatlands.

                           The three peatlands lie in a line roughly from northwest to southeast,
                     with water flow, at lea 'st during rainy periods, between the peatlands in
                     that direction. The middle and eastern peatlands receive runoff from upland
                     sources as well. The communities are most ombrotrophic in the western unit,.
                     and most minerotrophic in the eastern unit.

                           The western peatland, obviously raised, in its open regions is generally
                     similar to several of the smaller Coastal Region peatlands visited in this
                     study. In the upper portion of the raised bog the Empetrum nigrum - Sphagnum
                     fuscum community is characteristically developed, with some areas of-"hollow-
                     less" plain. Baked-apple berry (Rubus chamaemorus) is abundant, and fruits
                     freely. Bog goldenrod (Solidago uliginosa) occurs throughout, locally with
                     abundance. At least one large area of a Scirpus cespitosus community, lawn-
                     like, occurs in a slightly lower region on the nortMs side of.the central
                     raised area.

                           Of'outstanding significance is the presence of low jack pine (Pinus bank-
                     siana) individuals scattered through the peatland. I consider them7-beto-
                     superimposed upon peatland types found elsewhere in the study area, but this
                     view may be modified or rejected as the site becomes better known. The jack
                     pine habitat, frequency, and locations within the peatlands is amazingly
                     reminiscent  'of its sibling species, shore pine (Pinus contorta), in the mari-
                     time, tertiary peatlands of Alaska and British Columbia along the Gulf of
                     Alaska. No other peatland in this study is known to have jack pine through-
                     out its open region, although some other peatlands of Great Wass Island, and
                     the Corea Heath, have isolated individuals. The marginal communities, eco-
                    .tones, and hydrologies of this peatland appear to be somewhat complex, with
                     the peatland boundaries not always sharply defined.

                                                                                          104

                      The outstanding feature of the middle peatland is a broad water track
                 of minerotrophic communities that arcs from the northwestern margin south-
                 ward across the ombrotrophic, dwarf shrub peatland. The eastern peatland
                 is a very wet, minerotrophic, graminoid fen with prominent Carex exilis and
                 that often has standing water.

                      Condition and Use:

                      The peatlands receive a fair amount of foot traffic, from both indi-
                 viduals and organized groups, for a site that is rather remote. This traffic
                 has created a major trail scar through each of the peatlands in places enhanc-
                 ing water flow. Otherwise@.the site is in excellent natural condition.

                 6 SOUTHWEST PEATLAND, GREAT WASS ISLAND, Beals

                      Reasons for Recommendation:

                      The Southwest Peatland of Great Wass Island is recommended because it
                 has the most extreme maritime climate of any of the coastal peatlands, it
                 displays a large variety of coastal peatland morphologies, communities and-
                 hydrologic settings, all with modifications by the extreme climate, it is
                 contiguous with the best development of Shrub Slope peatlands in the eastern
                 United States, it has an exceptionally abrupt fen-raised bog ecotone, and
                 .it merges with various organic soils on adjacent uplands. The significance
                 ,of this site, among 115 coastal raised peatlands in Maine, ranks 10th for
                 Coastal Peatland Features and 8th for All Peatland Features.

                      .Significant.Features:

                      - contiguous Shrub Slope peatlands, the best development of such a
                           phenomenon at low elevations in eastern United States
                      - modified (by extreme maritime climate) Coastal Plateau topography
                           with notable variety of communities
                      - well-developed Sphagnum fuscum communities, with "hollowless" plains
                           lichen dominated areas, and dwarf black spruce "forests"
                      - abundant black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) and baked-apple berry
                           (Rubus chamaemorus) that fruit copiously
                      - common juniper (Juniperus communis) locally abundant in Sphagnum
                           fuscum communities
                      - scattered Sbcirpus cespitosus and jack pine on plateau
                      - variety of typical and modified (by extreme maritime climate)
                           Coastal Zone peatland communities
                      - variety of fen communities bordering plateau
                      - an exceptionally abrupt ecotone between fen and plateau (along the
                           eastern boundary)
                      - "string of beads" patterned depressions and miniature ponds in
                           marginal fen
                      - northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis) stand at margin
                      - organic soils dominate adjacent uplands
                      - complex topography and drainage patterns
                      - diversity of peat types

                                                                                               105

                          Location and Size:

                          This peatland lies north of The Pond and southeast of Three Falls Point
                     in the southwestern part of Great Wass Island. It contains about 67 acres.

                          Ecology:

                          Because of those adjacent, well-developed Shrub Sl 'ope peatlands and the
                     other extreme maritime features this site may be one of the most noteworthy
                     individual peatlands in the eastern United States.

                          The principal peat mass in this site has a surface topography that approxi-
                     mates a plateau, but one quite modified. In general, the peatland appears to
                     slope from the south and southwest to the north and east. Along the western
                     and southern margins the Shrub Slope peats merge, in places, with this site's
                     peats. The line of merger is discernible from a distance, but by no means
                     discrete. The central portion of t 'he peatland is a clearly raised plateau
                     bog, whose plateau may indeed slope throughout. There is an excellent example
                     of rolling, unpatterned, coalesced hummocks and "hollowless" terrain of Sphag-
                     num fuscum with miniature black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), abundant baked-
                     apple berry (Rubus chamaemorus), and very stunted and scarce dwarf shrubs.
                     Scirpus cespitosus occurs here and there, but never forms large lawns on the
                     plateau. In the higher, southern portion is a relatively large area with con-
                     siderable lichens amid hummocky Sphagnum fuscum. Characteristically stunted
                     jack pine (Pinus banksiana) grow very sparsely on the plateau.

                          One of the most striking features of this site is the diversely speci-
                     ated, graminoid fen bordering the northern and eastern margins of the plateau.
                     In the narrowest parts the fen contains patterned depressions with mud bot-
                     tom communities and some minor ponds. Brief channel segments are sometimes
                     present forming "bead" pattern with the ponds and depressions. At one point
                     along the eastern margin, where the fen is narrowly squeezed between the
                     plateau and bedrock exposure, there has formed an exceptionally striking
                     plateau-fen interface. The plateau rises abruptly 1-3.5 feet above the fen
                     peats with absolutely no intergradation of the communities. With no ecotone
                     apparent, there can be no.finer example of ecosystem differentiation in
                     nature.

                          In the adjacent lowland, drainage areas with peat or sub-peat substrates,
                     there are patches of treed fens. Noteworthy because of the diversity it adds
                     to the site, and because it is an uncommon community of coastal peatlands, is
                     the northern white.cedar (Thuja occidentalis) fen or swamp in the southeastern
                     corner of the site.

                          Condition and Use:

                          The site appears to be in excellent natural condition except for the
                     remnants of a long abandoned telephone line and a couple of pathways used
                     relatively frequently by naturalists, scientists, hunters, and others visiting
                     the southwestern portion of the island.

                                                                                         106

                 7 JONESPORT HEATH, Jonesport

                      Reasons for Undbc-ided' Status:

                      The Jonesport Heath is significant because it contains the finest
                 example of, and is the defining (Damman 1977) site for, the Coastal Plateau
                 Bog peatland type. It is the only set of separate but contiguous coastal
                 plateaus, has the most extensive Scirpus cespitosus central lawns, and
                 totals the greatest acreage of any coastal raised peatland in the United
                 States. The magnitude of the site provides excellent opportunity for the
                 documentation of past and present climates. With the variety of kinds and
                 degrees of mining disturbance on the multiple plateaus, the Jonesport Heath
                 provides the premier situation for succession and recovery studies in the
                 coastal raised bog region. The significance of the Jonesport Heath, among
                 115 coastal raised peatlands in Maine, ranks 3rd for.Coastal Peatland,Fea-
                 tures and 2nd for All Peatland Features.

                      Significant Features:

                      - exceptionally well-developed plateau morphology
                      - contiguous but not coalesced plateaus
                      - excellent development and zonation of'Coastal Plateau Bog communities
                      - largest Scirpus cespitosus central lawns in the United States
                      - one of only three sites clearly displaying shallow, radial channels
                      - small area of ponds and wet depressions between plateaus
                      - excellent example of streams, one moderate in size, offset by
                           plateau development; the community zonation is characteristic
                           and readily evident
                      - variety of non-plateau peatland types along margins of plateaus,
                           possibly some adjacent upland with organic soils
                      - magnitude of site provides significant documentation of climate,
                           now and in the past

                      Location and Size:

                      North and east of Jonesport, this site includes the whole interconnected
                 and lobed complex of peatlands south of an east-west stream that is directly
                 west of Bar Island at 44033159" N latitude, and extends southward to 0.3
                 mile north of the head of Sawyer Cove. The site consists of some 720 acres,
                 about 640 being open and/or cleared.

                      A contiguous peatland of significance (North Unit, Jonesport Heath) lies
                 just north of the stream.

                      Ecology, Condition and Use:

                      This highly lobate, multiple plateau, northwest-southeast trending peat-'
                 land complex lies in gently undulating terrain of low relief. It is the most
                 extensive complex of peatlands within the Coastal Region, consisting of several
                 contiguous plateaus with little of the extensive coalescence that exists at
                 some more inland sites. Nowhere in the Maine Coastal Region are there mul-
                 tiple, adjacent plateaus as at this site.

                                                                                              107

                           The northern third of the complex is composed of one large, elongated
                      plateau, to its immediate east a smaller, lobed plateau, and to the north-
                      west a much smaller plateau. As of September 1978 the northern 60% of the
                      largest plateau, and all of the other two plateaus, the intervening streams,
                      and streams and peatlands to the north of this site were unaltered by man.

                           Mining began in the southern plateaus of the site during or before the
                      Second World War. That mining included drainage, with trench mining and
                      briquet production. The peat may have been harvested in forms other than
                      the briquets, as well. During the past decade, vacuum mining has been re-
                      activated, spreading far northward and including 40% of the largest plateau.
                      The peat is bagged for-horticultural purposes.

                           The largest plateau forms the basis for most of the characterization of
                      the Coastal Plateau Bog type given by Damman (1977). Considering the area
                      untouched as of September 1978, no other site in this study more clearly
                      displays the characteristic morphological and biological features of the
                      Coastal Plateau Bog peatland type. An oblong plateau, the peatland rises
                      rather sharply some nine feet above its margins to an extensive plateau
                      (see cross-sectional diagrams in Damman 1977, Figures 2 and 4). Trees are
                      exceptionally sparse, and occur exclusively on the marginal slopes. Absent
                      from the central plateau, dwarf shrub communities occupy the edges of the
                      upper surface and the marginal slopes. Fringing the Scirpus cespitosus -
                      Sphagnum fuscum. lawns are expanses (perhaps the largest anywhere in the
                      United States) of the Empetrum. nigrum - Spha&ijum fuscum community, with much
                      baked-apple berry @Rubus chamaemorus). As the marginal slope steepens, the
                      Kalmia M.Sustifolia - Sphagnum fuscum community (and closely related varia-
                      tions) predominates until minerotrophic conditions are encountered at the
                      margins. Where there is no free flowing water there commonly is the Smila-
                      cina trifolia - Sphagnum pulchrum community, and where streams abut the
                      plateau there are rhodora (Rhododendron canadense) and/or sweet gale (Myrica
                      gale) shrub communities.

                           A small group of distinctive ponds occurs midway along the eastern mar-
                      gin where a small stream from the southeast meets the peatland and acceler-
                      ates drainage, thus oversteepening the slope and allowing pond formation.
                      Minor ponds and mud bottom hollows can be expected sporadically on the mar-
                      gins of the plateau. This plateau has clearly directed the flow of small
                      streams along its eastern and western boundaries and.the larger stream form-
                      ing the northern boundary.

                           Within the dwarf shrub communities variations in plant composition demark
                      widely spaced, broad (perhaps 20-60 feet wide) radial "channels" (probably so
                      shallow as to be easily overlooked by an on-the-ground visitor) leading from
                      the Scirpus lawns to the middle lower slopes of the peatland. Several regu-
                      larly spaced "channels" radiate from the northern half of the plateau height.
                      Only two other sites in this study have so clearly developed channels.

                           Also unaltered are the two peatlands flanking this large plateau. Both
                      share some of the significant features of the large plateau. The western
                      unit appears typical of the many small coastal plateau bogs lacking Scirpus
                      lawns that occur commonly in this part of the Coastal Region. The eastern
                      of the three plateaus approximates the principal-plateau, but is somewhat

                                                                                          108

                  smaller, there being an upland lobe that gives it the shape of a lopsided
                  letter C, and the Scirpus lawns are smaller, diffuse, and not distinctive.
                  This peatland shares a common margin with the principal plateau for about
                   mile.

                      It is reasonable to presume that this peatland complex has been a peat-
                  land for 7000 or more years, increasing in thickness and perhaps breadth at
                  variable rates, according to climate and the hydrological limits of the
                 ,morphological development, since that time. The proportion of peat volume
                  removed by mining or ditching to date is far less than the proportion of
                  surface area disrupted. Furthermore, most mining does not extend to the
                  very margins of the peatlands, but leaves pockets of relatively undisturbed
                  peatland along most of the periphery of the complex.

                      In most areas of former trench mining, few of the trenches reach the
                  underlying mineral substrate, and between the trenches were left in place,
                  intact peats, for transportation and briquet drying. Thus, not only is a
                  large proportion of the peat still present, it is intact stratigraphically.
                  In areas currently being vacuum mined, the materials are removed relatively
                  evenly from the peatland surface. Since the vacuum mining has been in
                  operation for only a few years, for most of the mined area the bulk of the
                  deposit is still present. The reclamation of trenched areas, smoothing the
                  surface to permit future vacuum mining, is underway. This reclamation de-
                  stroys much or all of the residual stratigraphy.

                      Consequently, since this peatland is a three-dimensional portion of the
                  landscape, with a past that is recorded in the deposition of materials over
                  thousands of years, the presence of the bulk of those materials, essentially
                  unchanged, means that perhaps as much as 80% or more of the peatland remains
                  intact and essentially undisturbed.

                      The removal of water by drainage has its major effects in the drainways
                  and in the uppermost portion of the peatland--the living vegetation and the
                  top few inches of the sediments. The most important impact.is the increase
                  in the region of aerobic activity, principally decay, and the subsequent
                  alteration in community composition. The drainage at this site appears to
                  be designed to effect a local draw-down of several inches or more, with the
                  necessity of additional ditching once all peats are mined that the first
                  draw-down permitted. Consequently, one may conclude that the hydrologic
                  functions of this peatland complex, although somewhat altered, are not funda-
                  mentally changed, and that restoration to near natural condition is possible
                  by-the careful blocking and filling of drains. These hydrologic functions
                  include the role of Jonesport Heath in the ground water regime in the Jones-
                  port area.

                      Since this site contains the largest, most clearly developed, and only
                  multiple plateau system in the Coastal Plateau Bog zone, its peats contain
                  important records of climatic and biotic activity. Thus, this site contains
                  many clues of importance to the post-Pleistocene biologist, anthropologist,
                  climatologist, hydrologist, as well as ecologist, clues perhaps unavailable
                  or less clear at other coastal peatland sites.

                      Coalesced raised peatlands wherein original basins and simple morphology
                  are masked by the coalescence appear to be confined in the eastern United

                                                                                            109

                     States to Maine. In order to understand peatlands such as Meddybemps Heath
                     or The Great Heath one need also investigate features nearby that approach
                     the phenomenon but do not achieve it. All of the coalesced peatlands in
                     Maine are inland, some of the largest are on the periphery of the coastal
                     zone. It is therefore of considerable importance that coalesced peatlands
                     are absent from the Coastal Zone, and the only circumstance approaching
                     coalescence are the multiple, contiguous plateaus of the Jonesport Heath.

                          Succession patterns of natural ecosystems on altered, especially mined,
                     peatlands in North America, especially those of the United States, are essen-
                     tially unknown. No successional features on disturbed peatlands in Maine have
                     been detailed. It is clear that succession on such peatlands will vary greatly
                     according to the region of the state in which the site occurs, as well as
                     local hydro-geomorphological conditions. Thus, succession must be studied
                     within each peatland region. Since this site has the most distinctive ex-
                     pression of the Coastal Plateau Bog, has multiple plateaus, and has a variety
                     of types and degrees of disturbance, it provides the premier situation for
                     succession studies in the region.

                          The Jonespor t Heath is placed in an undecided category because additional
                     field work is required to identify those portions of this system that remain
                     in a natural state, and also because some of this area is currently a commercial
                     peat operation.

                     8 NORTH UNIT, JONESPORT HEATH, Jonesport

                          Reasons for Recommendation:

                          The North Unit of the Jonesport Heath is recommended because it is the
                     most outstanding undisturbed Coastal Plateau Bog in the United States. It
                     exhibits fully the plateau morphology and community zonation with extensive
                     development of all plateau communities; the undisturbed central Scirpus
                     cespitosus lawns are the largest such in the United States. The plateau con-
                     fined marginal streams, and the treeless marginal wetlands are exceptional.
                     The significance of the North Unit of the Jonesport Heath, among 115 coastal
                     raised peatlands in Maine, ranks 4th for Coastal Peatland Features and 5th
                     for All Peatland Features.

                          Significant Features:

                          - largest intact Coastal Plateau Bog in the United States
                          - largest undisturbed central Scirpus lawns in the United States
                          - large zone of Sphagnum fuscum - Empetrum nigrum community
                          - one of only three sites with well-developed shallow radiating
                               channels on upper plateau sites
                          - distinctive marginal slopes and obvious rise to plateau
                          - broad zonation of lower slope communities; sweet gale (Myrica Lale)
                               dominance below dwarf shrub heaths, then rhodora (Rhododendron
                               canadense) community at base of slope
                          - variety of especially well-developed, treeless marginal wetlands

                                                                                           110

                      Location and Size:

                      North of Jonesport, this plateau peatland unit lies north of an east-
                 west stream that is directly west of Bar Island at 44'33'59" N latitude.
                 It is 1.5 miles east of Indian River community. The site contains about
                 240 acres, of which the plateau is about 130.

                      Ecologically, it appears unwise to separate this site from the Jones-
                 port Heath site, but such distinction is mandated'because of the present
                 mining activities. There is no question that the two sites are part of a
                 single hydrologic system of considerable complexity. If the waterflow in
                 the stream that passes between the sites remains essentially unaltered,
                 the integrity of this site.should not be violated.

                      Ecology:

                      The raised plateau bog portion of this site more closely resembles the
                 highly significant principal plateau of the Jonesport Heath site than does
                 any other peatland in the United States. It differs in being slightly
                 smaller, having a somewhat arcuate long axis, having a somewhat smaller
                 proportion of the peatland occupied by Scirpus lawns, having slightly less
                 steep marginal,slopes, and in having more extensive marginal fens.

                      No other undisturbed Coastal Plateau Bog in the United States so clearly
                 exhibits the characteristic morphological and biological features of this
                 peatland type. Because of.the large size of the site, which permits a full
                 and exemplary development of the communities, and their zonation in accordance
                 to the plateau morphology, and because-the plateau is complete, without
                 alteration or truncation, it is the most significant of all the Coastal
                 Plateau Raised Bogs in the United States as the fullest and most complete
                 expression of the type. It is the paradigm against which other peatlands
                 can be interpreted, since the preferred type site is being mined.

                      In addition to the plateau features, this site contains a notable diver-
                 sity of marginal phenomena. To the south and west is a stream of moderate
                 size that is the principal drainage stream of the central part of the Jones-
                 port peninsula. Having come from large wetlands to the east, this stream
                 drains the northern slopes of the Jonesport Heath and the southeastern slopes
                 of this site's plateau. These raised peatlands form a confined passage for
                 the meandering stream, which possibly flows atop peat at that point. The
                 stream continues westward, with flanking wetlands, then turns northward
                 where it flows adjacent to the base of the North Unit plateau until joined
                 by the smaller, northern marginal stream. This northern stream is not large
                 and lies entrapped between the raised peatland and treeless wetland.

                      Where streams are entrapped against raised peatland, there are typical
                 streamside zonation of communities, including graminoid fen.margins, with
                 Myrica gale and Rhododendron canadense communities at the base of the plateau
                 slopes. Broad areas of treeless wetland of undetermined composition lie north
                 of the plateau and in the southwestern corner of the site, in the bend of the
                 large stream as it turns from westward to northward. To the east, part of
                 the plateau abuts upland with discrete but narrow lagg; no well-developed
                 moat appears to be present.

                          Condition and Use:

                          Surrounded for the most part by wetlands that likely are difficult of
                     passage for most of the year, and centrally located in the Jonesport penin-
                     sula a mile or more from roads, the site must be rarely visited. As of
                     September 1978, this peatland was in excellent, undisturbed natural condition.

                     9 KELLEY POINT PEATLAND COMPLEX, Jonesport

                          Reasons for Recommendation:

                          The Kelley Point Peatland Complex is recommended because it is an excel-
                     lent, complete, undisturbed Coastal Plateau Bog, one of only two such in the
                     United States. The exceptional diversity of peatland types make it the most
                     significant undisturbed site in the coastal region. It is one of only three
                     recommended sites with tidewater erosion of peats. The significance of the
                     'Kelley Point Peatland Complex, among 115 coastal raised peatlands in Maine,
                     ranks 2nd for Coastal Peatland Features and 1st for All Peatland Features.

                          Significant Features:

                          - distinctive Scirpus cespitosus lawn communities at plateau height
                          - large areas of Sphagnum fuscum - Empetrum nigrum "hollowless" plains
                          - abundant baked-apple berry (Rubus chamaemorus)
                          - obvious bog slopes
                          - peat erosion by tidewater
                          - exceptionally diverse marginal peatland types
                          - possible Shrub Slope peatlands
                          - some adjacent upland soils are organic
                          - large areas of non-plateau peatland types, including all degrees
                               of cover, dominance by nearly every life form, and a wide range
                               of ombrotrophic to minerotrophic conditions
                          - diverted marginal stream
                          - irregularly patterned pond and wet depression system in drainage fen
                          - possible beaver activity
                          - smaller areas of raised peats apart.from principal plateau

                          Location and Size:

                          This complex peatland occupies over 250 acres between Rhine Point,
                     Kelley Point and Sawyer Cove east of Jonesport. It is easily reached from
                     Kelley Point Road.

                          Ecology:

                          The medium sized raised plateau is an excellent example of the type and
                     is one of only four sites in the United States known to so completely exhibit
                     the type characteristics, and one of only two complete and undisturbed, fully
                     characteristic Coastal Plateau bogs in the United States (the other being the
                     North Unit of Jonesport Heath). The peatland clearly rises from lower margins
                     to a central height that is somewhat elongated from north to south. The
                     highest elevation of the raised bog is a distinctive, though relatively small,

                                                                                                  112

                  plateau of Scirpus lawns. In the northern third of the plateau, the lawns
                  lie encircled by extensive areas of well-developed, dwarf shrub communities
                  rich in Sphagnum. fuscum, black crowberry (Empetrum. nigrum), baked-apple berry
                  (Rubus chamaemorus),.and bog goldenrod (Solidago uliginosa). A prominent
                  region of sweet gale (Myrica gale) fringes the east edge of the Scirpus
                  lawns. The obvious bog slope varies in steepness depending upon direction
                  from the plateau. Surface ponds are absent, and mud bottom communities
                  nearly so, throughout the plateau and its shoulders.

                        Worthy of more careful inspection are what appear to be areas of Shrub
                  Slope Peatlands, especially southeast of the plateau, as well as minor
                  patches along the northwestern margin of the plateau.

                        Extending eastward from the height of theplateau      are wooded, semi-
                  wooded, thicket, and open peatlands which intermingle       in a mosaic of peatland
                  types. Occasional large boulders emerge amid or above       the vegetation. In
                  some more wet open patches orchids are abundant. This peatland area extends
                  to tidewater where it is periodically eroded by storm waves as they crest
                  the barrier beach and enter-the lagoon. Sea-cut peatlands are known to
                  exist at only three other locations in the study area (one is miniscule
                  and.occupied by a threatened home), and less than 5-7 locations in all of
                  Maine. Only one other site, Carrying Place Cove Bog, has beach deposition
                  upon terrestrially formed peats.

                        As waters descend from the plateau (which forms a multiple watershed
                  divide), and sometimes are joined by upland waters, they pass through one
                  of several drainage ways, including areas of Sphagnum. - graminoid fens,
                  thicket fens, tamarack fens, other wooded fens, and (beaver?) impounded
                  waters. this diversity of drainage types is unparalleled at any site dis-
                  cussed in this report. If the,impoundment is by beaver, thils__sii@ is-on-ly
                  one of three coastal peatlands with beaver damming, all of which appear
                  to be the result of recent (last decade or two) activity. Of particular
                  note are the surface ponds and wet depressions that are irregularly patterned
                  ("ladder like" to "string of beads" formation) in the Sphagnum.          graminoid
                  dwarf shrub fen drainage that leads southward from the plateau.

                        Condition and Use:

                        Visually attractive and accessible, this site is seldom visited. Berry
                  picking was likely quite common in the past, but is now apparently only
                  occasional. Throughout, this site appears to be in excellent natural condi-
                  tion.

                  10 GREAT COVE HEATH, Roque Bluffs

                        Reasons for Recommendation:

                        Great Cove Heath is recommended because it is an undisturbed, well-
                  developed peatland that excellently displays features intermediate in charac-
                  ter between those of extreme Coastal and Inland peatlands. It has unusually
                  good visibility from an adjacent road. The significance of Great Cove Heath,
                  among 115 coastal raised peatlands in Maine, ranks 18th for Coastal Peatland
                  Features and 17th for All Peatland Features.

                                                                                              113

                          Significant Features:

                          - plateau height offset to upstream margin of peatland
                          - Empetrum nigrum - Sphagnum fuscum community with scattered baked-
                               apple berry (Rubus chamaemorus) here and there at upper eleva@
                               tions of peatland
                          - Scirpus cespitosus absent except in marginal open fens
                          - diversity of peatland types, including open plateau, slightly
                               wooded plateau, herbaceous fen drainageway, forested peat-
                               land, plus two separate, small, open peatlands

                          Location and Size:

                          Lying on the north side of the Jonesboro to Roque Bluffs road some
                     0.8 mile northeast of Great Cove, this peatland has easy access and excel-
                     lent visibility. The site, most of which is treeless, is slightly less
                     than 100 acres.

                          Ecology:

                          This medium sized plateau is typical and representative of many peat-
                     lands in the study area of similar size, that albeit are near tidewater,
                     are not in the extreme maritime setting of heads of points or islands.

                          Raised, but not dramatically so, the southern  half of the peatland
                     is viewed easily from one's car when driving past. Typical with most raised
                     peatlands, its highest elevation is' is upstream," in this case appearing to
                     be to the south and east of center. The principal   open peatland has a fairly
                     narrow spruce lagg bordering the upland along much  of its periphery. Trees
                     extend some distance into the peatland, rapidly becoming less dense and
                     shorter, leaving a large, central, mostly treeless area dominated by dwarf
                     shrub communities. Here and there, and more commonly at the higher eleva-
                     tions6 is the Empetrum nigrum - Sphagnum fuscum community, with scattered
                     baked-apple   rry (Rubus chamaemorus) only occasionally abundant. No Scirpus
                     cespitosus was seen on the plateau. No ponds or wet depressions appear
                     to be present.

                          Some diversity of peatland types occurs in the northern and northeastern
                     part of the site where there are at least two separate, small, open peatlands,
                     one wetter drainage way with numerous herbaceous fen species, and wooded
                     peatland and/or wetland.

                          South of the road the topography drops away, suggesting that the road
                     lies astride a low ridge (of undetermined composition) that may have been a
                     kind of "dam" creating a shallow basin in which the peatland initiated.
                     The geomorphology of this feature should be compared with the "dam" at Moose
                     River Heath.

                          This site clearly and typically represents the transition of peatland.
                     types for small and moderate size of peatlands, from: a) those in extreme
                     maritime locations where Sphagnum fuscum forms undulating, essentially hollow-
                     less plains and/or dense hummock and hollow terrain (with Sphagnum fuscum
                     even in the hollows) in which Empetrum nigrum is the exclusive or dominant
                     shrub (most commonly very subdued in size), Rubus chamaemorus is copiously

                                                                                            114

                 abundant, and Scirpus cespitosus may grow as scattered plants; to b) those
                 at Inland settings where Sphagnum fuscum. very rarely or never approaches
                 plain formation (being usually most common on the tops of, or on one side
                 of, hummocks), where Empetrum nigrum. is not present (or if present, as in
                 a few larger, highly raised sites, it is of lesser prominence than other
                 dwarf shrubs), and where Rubus chamaemorus is absent.

                      Therefore, the principal significance of this site resides in its being
                 a typical example of the Coastal/Inland transition type, and in its public
                 visibility (from the adjacent road).

                      Condition and Use:

                      Aside from occasional visitors, especially berry pickers and hunters,
                 the site seems undisturbed. It appears in excellent natural condition.

                 11 LARRABEE HEATH, Machiasport

                      Larrabee Heath is recommended because it is an undisturbed, obviously
                 raised plateau with steep marginal slopes that fills an elongated valley,
                 confining stream flow to its margins; community zonation is simple and clearly
                 developed. This is the only coastal plateau with prominent beaver activity
                 adjacent. From above Larrabee Heath is especially appealing. Its charac-
                 ters are simply arrayed and easily perceived. The treeless plateau, enhanced
                 by community zonation and the marginal streams, enclosed within a small
                 valley, contrasts strikingly with the neighboring, forested upland. The
                 significance of Larrabee Heath, among 115 coastal raised peatlands in Maine,
                 ranks 15th for Coastal Peatland Features and 11th for All Peatldnd Features.

                      Significant Features:

                      - prominently raised peatland with steep marginal slope
                      - marginal slope communities distinctive and well developed
                      -.Empetrum nigrum -.Sphagnum fuscum community at height of plateau,
                           but limited in extent
                      - baked-apple berry (Rubus chamaemorus) scattered, Scirpus cespitosus
                           absent
                      - superb examples of meandering marginal streams with graminoid and
                           wooded communities
                      - prominent beaver activity
                      - one of larger plateaus in Coastal Region

                      Location and Size:

                      This relatively large peatland (the site is about   235 acres, of which
                 over 150 are open plateau) is partially visible to the   southwest from the
                 main road at Larrabee. Access is attained via woods roads.

                      Ecology:

                      One of the larger plateaus in this study, Larrabee Heath has distinctive
                 lagg stream margins, evident community zonation, some coastal communities,

                                                                                                 115

                     and significant beaver activity. If Scirpus lawns   were present, this site
                     would rank in the top eight sites.

                          Larrabee Heath fills an elongated valley with a wetland system dominated
                     by a prominently raised plateau. Lateral expansion of the raised peatland
                     has confined streams along the north and south margins adjacent to the up-
                     lands of the valley sides. These streams, which can be considered laggs,
                     meander narrowly within graminoid fen vegetation. Except for the Jonesport
                     Heath, no other'site recommended in this report has such distinctive, "text-
                     book quality" marginal stream displacement. With increasing water levels
                     caused by the recent beaver dam below the confluence of the two streams,
                     some areas of former marginal tamarack (Larix laricina) fen have been con-
                     verted to graminoid fen due to the deat    f the trees. Confined marginal
                     streams and/or beaver ponding are commonly associated with raised bogs in
                     the Inland regions, but are rare in the Coastal Region.

                          The plateau topography, and the associated community zonation, is simply
                     and clearly developed. As the streams become narrower with closer proximity
                     to the plateau peats, leather-leaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata) abundance in-
                     creases. The base of the plateau usually is clearly e ident, marked by
                     a distinctive peat rise and slope. Rhodora (Rhododendron canadense) and/or
                     sweet gale (Myrica gale) shrubs become abundant, joined by Sphagnum spp.
                     and ericaceous shrubs. At varying distances from the marginal streams (wider
                     downstream, much closer upstream) this gentle slope abruptly rises 3-6 feet
                     vertically as the principal slope of the plateau. Very minor seeps exude
                     from this "escarpment" but a well-developed sequence of ponds and/or wet
                     depressions does not ring the peatland (as occurs at the morphologically
                     similar, Inland Plateau, "Runaway Pond Heath," a few miles to the north).
                     Occasional ponds and wet depressions do occur along this juncture, notably
                     along the northeastern end of the plateau.

                          On and above this slope are vigorous dwarf shrub heath communities,
                     with increasing components of Sphagnum fuscum and black crowberry (Empetrum
                     nigrum) with elevation. The plateau surface rather surprisingly has few
                     areas dominated by the Empetrum nigrum - Sphagn    fuscum community, and
                     Scirpus cespitosus appears absent. Baked-apple berry (Rubus chamaemorus),
                     locally scattered in the Sphagnum fuscum communities, is nowhere abundant.
                     Bog goldenrod (Solidago uliginosa) grows scattered over the plateau. The
                     plateau is devoid of trees except for a tongue of coniferous forest upon
                     undetermined substrate that extends from the south margin, and a region
                     of low spruce trees near the northwestern periphery and scattered in the
                     western end.

                          The beaver dam is optimally placed to produce the largest possible
                     impoundment for the least dam size. It lies downstream of the junction
                     of the marginal streams and creates a large pond in the crotch of the Y.
                     The elevated water level extends at least along 25-35 percent of the northern
                     margin. There is no reason to suspect the plateau to be affected by those
                     higher water levels, except perhaps at its lowest margins, for the hydrology
                     of the raised peat mass is essentially independent. No effects were noted
                     on any of the raised portions of the site. If the beaver dams were removed,
                     there should be no detrimental effect upon the plateau..

                                                                                 116

                  Beaver in association with Coastal Plateau Bogs is very rare, for seldom
              do the peatlands have sufficient flowing water or food sources for the beaver.
              No other site recommended in this report has beaver activity adjacent to a
              plateau, nor did I observe the remains of former dams, lodges, canals, or
              trails at any other peatland recommended here.

                  Condition and Use:

                  Seldom visited except by hunters, this peatland is in excellent natural
              condition. According to Damman (pers. comm. 1977), a fire crossed the surface
              in the early 1970's. No traces or scars of that fire were apparent in the
              contemporary vegetation.

              12 KELLEY HEATH, Cutler

                  Reasons for Recommendation:

                  Kelley Heath is recommended because no other coastal raised peatland
              in Maine has so continuous a vista of Scirpus cespitosus, which is almost
              universal on the sub-circular plateau uniquel@ in tl@e well-developed,
              lower elevation, peatiand "bays." It is one of only three coastal peatlands
              with concentric patterning of vegetation And topography, and the abiuptly
              raised margins are among the most distinctive in the eastern United States.
              The significance of Kelley Heath, among 115 coastal raised peatlands in Maine,
              ranks 7th for Coastal Peatland Features and 10th for All Peatland Features.

                  Significant Features:

                  - distinctive plateau morphology with obvious marginal slopes
                  - Scirpus cespitosus abundant, with associated vegetation on an often
                      patterned mosaic of "mud bottom," lichen dominated, Sphagnum
                      fuscum, S. rubellum, and generally subdued, dwarf shrub communi-
                      ties likely accentuated by the former removal of the vegetation
                      cover
                  - one of only three sites with so large a proportion of Scirpus.S@1-
                      tosus, one of only eight plateaus in the state with well-developed
                      lawns
                  - one of only three Coastal Plateau Bogs in Maine with concentric pattern-
                      ing, the patterning is the most extensive and readily apparent from
                      the air and on the ground
                  - excellent development of marginal, open peatiand "bays"
                  - visible and accessible from U.S. Navy road

                  Location and Size:

                  This peatland is reached conveniently via the UHF transmission station
              access road opposite the main gate of the Cutler Navy Base on Route 191 just
              south of Huntley Creek. The mostly open site contains about 170 acres, of
              which about 103 are plateau.

                                                                                              117

                         Ecology:

                         According to the owner of the site, the surface of the open plateau ex-
                    panse was "turned over with a bulldozer" and "blown into a trailer" for "humus
                    about "15 years ago" (i.e., about 1963). The surface of the peatland "grew
                    back in a couple of years."

                         Very little volume of the peatland was removed, and the plateau retains
                    a prominent plateau configuration, rising sharply 3-9 feet above marginal
                    uplands and peatlands. Trees characteristically are restricted to the margins
                    (as was apparently the case prior to the bulldozing), and there is no indica-
                    tion that the plateau is being colonized by trees. Presumably enhanced by
                    the stripping of the vegetation Scirpus cespitosus is almost universal on
                    the plateau, with a mosaic of associated vegetation, including Sphagnum fuscum
                    communities, baked-apple berry (Rubus chamaemorus), black crowberry (Empetrum
                    nigrum), and bog goldenrod (Solidago uliginosa). The boundary of disturbance
                    is not evident, but the Scirpus exte         into areas with scattered trees
                    clearly older than 15 years, as well as occupying central regions of the mar-
                    ginal, tree encircled, peatland "bays" that lie well below the plateau eleva-
                    tion at the base of the southern plateau slope. Thus, the Scirpus lawns are
                    natural constitutuents of this peatland, as well as aggress@iveinhabitants
                    of disturbed terrain 15 years after the removal of surface vegetation.

                         No other site in the Coastal Region is so prominently concentrically
                    patterned. The patterning is formed by interfingerings, roughly crescentic
                    to linear or rather oblong in shape, of Scirpus lawns and dwarf shrub commu-
                    nities. The latter tend to occupy low ridges, the former broad, shallow de-
                    pressions (not always particularly deep or wet). Relief may vary from a few
                    inches to three feet or so.

                         The patterning at this site is remarkable because it is recognizable
                    over almost the entire plateau, it is so clearly concentric, it so clearly
                    defines the central height of the plateau (which, typically, is offset to
                    the hydrologically upper side of the peatland--in this case it is in the north-
                    ern third of the plateau), and because.it so completely masks any trace of
                    the former disturbance.

                         The concentric patterning is superimposed upon the Coastal Plateau Bog
                    concentric zonation of communities, central Scirpus lawns, with surrounding
                    dwarf shrub communities extending to and 'down the plateau slope, with increas-
                    ing tree frequency on the lower slopes and at their base. Bordering most
                    of the sub-circular open plateau are forested peatland and wetlands, sometimes
                    with open areas. To the west this region is quite narrow, to the south and
                    east it is rather broad. Typical for sub-circular plateau heaths, but scarce
                    in the Coastal Region, at the "downstream" side of the plateau there is a
                    system of smaller "bay" peatiands extending from the southern base of the
                    plateau, separated by an intervening row or grove of trees. It appears that
                    the principal plateau is continuing to expand southward into the bays.

                         Condition and Use:

                         Currently, in spite of its proximity to the Navy facility, and being
                    adjacent to a base road, this peatland appears lightly to rarely visited.

                                                                                        118

                 13 HEATH, 1.9 MILES WEST OF NORTH CUTLER, Cutler

                      Reasons for Recommendation:

                      The heath that lies 1.9 miles west of North Cutler is recommended be-
                 cause it is one of the smallest clearly raised plateaus with steep marginal
                 slopes. There is an excellent development of Sphagnum fuscum communities,
                 including "hollowless" plains. Sparsely scattered Scirpus cespitosus amid
                 Sphagnum fuscum is known at only three other coastal peatlands. The signifi-
                 cance of this peatland, among 115 coastal raised peatlands in Maine, ranks
                 13th for Coastal Peatland Features and 18th for All Peatland Features.

                      Significant Features:

                      -clearly raised plateau with steep marginal slopes
                      - "hollowless" plain of Sphagnum fuscum on part of plateau
                      -variety of peatland vegetation  types characteristic of smaller
                          peatlands in the Coastal Region
                      -area with dwarf forest of low black spruce (P:Lcea,mariana)

                      Location and Size:

                      About 1.9 miles west of North Cutler this site is clearly figured on
                 the U.S.G.S. Machias Bay 71@' quadrangle, and can be reached by roads of
                 the Cutler Navy Base. The site is less than 50 acres in extent, with about
                 25 open peatland areas.

                      Ecology:

                      The southern portion of this small peatland is prominently raised with
                 exceptionally steep marginal slopes, thus almost the entire peatland (in
                 the southern half at least) is plateau surface. This surface supports a
                 vigorous Empetrum nigrum - Sphagnum fuscum community with copious baked-
                 apple berry (Rubus chamaemorus). In places this community forms an undu-
                 lating plain, sometimes "lumpy," but generally without distinctive,hollows
                 or depressions, a feature best expressed at peatlands very near the sea.

                      A wetter area partially separates the northern portion of the peatland,
                 which is fairly densely treed with stunted and short black spruce, (Picea
                 mariana), from the open, southern plateau. In it are a few wet depressions
                 and minor ponds.

                      Condition and Use:

                      During construction of the Cutler Navy Base approximately 20 years
                 ago, an ineffectual drainage ditch was dug in the extreme southwestern corner
                 of the peatland, extending quite a distance from the bog. A boundary of
                 the Navy Base crosses the southern portion of the peatland. South of the
                 boundary most tree individuals were cut and removed during construction
                 of the base. It is unclear what effect the removal of the generally sparse
                 and small (or stunted) trees, along with the attempt to drain the peatland,
                 has had on the Sphagnum fuscum communities, which are growing with obvious
                 vigor. At present this peatland may be the least visited of any site recom-
                 mended by this study.

                                                                                              119

                      14 NORTH CUTLER HEATHS, Cutler

                           The North Cutler Heaths are recommended because they have the highest
                     'proportion of open peatland with 'Scirpus cespitosus communities of any un-
                      disturbed raised peatland in the coastal region of the United States. The
                      three, relatively small, contiguous peatlands display a gradient of typical
                      coastal raised peatland vegetation- from open to wooded by low trees. The
                      significance of the North Cutler Heaths, among 115 coastal raised peatlands
                      in Maine, ranks 6th for Coastal Peatland Features and 12th for All Peatland
                      Features.

                           Significant Features:

                           - exceptionally large proportion of the surface of the most-6pen
                                peatland occupied by Scirpus cespitosus communities
                           - widespread and abundant Coastal Region communities and species--
                                including Scirpus cespitosus communities, Empetrum nigrum -
                                ,Sphagnum fuscum communities, baked-apple berry (Rubus chamae-
                                morus)., and bog goldenrod (Solidago uliginosa)
                           - variety of typical, regional, peatland vegetation types
                           - visible and accessible from nearby road

                           Location and Size:

                           Readily accessible and visible from a,town road, the site lies at the
                      north base of the narrow ridge extending directly west from the road junc-
                      tion called North Cutler. Because of the shared geomorphic setting, the
                      close proximity to each other, and the probable interrelatedness of their
                      hydrologies, three peatlands ("0.4 mile W of North Cutler," "0.7 mile W
                      of North Cutler," and "1.1 mile W of North Cutler," Table 4), which might
                      even have contiguous peats, comprise this single site recommended for evalu-
                      ation as a potential Critical Area. The site includes approximately 113
                      acres, about 63 of. which are open.

                           Ecology:

                           The principal feature of significance of this site are the extensive
                      Scirpus lawns, especially in the easternmost of the three open peatlands
                      which most clearly conforms to the coastal plateau form. This unit has
                      an exceptionally large proportion of its surface occupied by Scirpus commu-
                      nities, equalled in proportion by only three other sites in the Coastal
                      regi:on. This is the only undisturbed (whether by natural or human causes)
                      peatland of the four sites.

                           In contrast with the characteristic community zonation for the Coastal
                      Plateau Bog type, Sphagnum fuscum, Scirpus cespitosus, and black crowberry
                      (Empetrum nigrum) are widespread and abundant over nearly the entire broad
                      plateau surface. Baked-apple berry (Rubus chamaemorus) is not so common
                      as at most sites visited in the Coastal region, and is most abundant away
                      from the center of the plateau. Bog goldenrod (Solidago uliginosa) is locally
                      abundant. Plants apparently ascribable to Lycopodium. annotinum var. pungens
                      were located in the open peatland of both the middle and eastern units.
                      This variety has been reported otherwise on ombrotrophic peats only at Boot
                      Cove Heath and on Great Wass Island.

                                                                                        120

                      Condition and Use:

                      Human intrusion appears negligible, although logging transgresses upon
                 some boundaries. There is local berry picking, but otherwise the peatlands
                 appear in excellent natural condition.

                 15 MOOSE RIVER HEATH, Trescott

                      Reasons for Recommendation:

                      Moose River Heath is recommended because of its openness and visibility,
                 the well-developed, undisturbed, prominently zoned vegetation (especially the
                 "hollowless" plains of Sphagnum fuscum and the abundant dwarf huckleberry,
                 Gaylussacia dumosa), the proximity to the sea, and the confining dam-like
                 margin which is likely a former beach. In one of themost scenic settings
                 of any coastal peatlands, it has an excellent overlook from an adjacent
                 rocky ridge. The significance of Moose River Heath, among 115 coastal
                 raised peatlands in Maine, ranks 17th for Coastal Peatland Features and 16th
                 for All Peatland Features.

                      Significant Features:

                      - clearly raised plateau
                      - well-developed "hollowless" plains of Sphagnum fuscum
                      - well-developed dwarf shrub communities
                      - locally abundant black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), baked-apple
                           berry (Rubus chamaemorus), bog goldenrod (Solidago uliginosa),
                           and dwarf huckleberry (Gaylussacia dumosa)
                      - broad lagg with prominent rhodora (Rhododendron canadense) and
                           dwarf huckleberry (Gaylussacis dumosa) along western margin
                      - very near the sea
                      - excellent visibility from atop neighboring rocky ridge

                      Location and Size:

                      This site is.conveniently reached from the Cutler-Trescott road via the
                 access road to a hunting club lodge just south of the mouth of Moose River.
                 An excellent view of the entire peatland, some 60 acres in extent, can be
                 had from the ridge separating it from the mouth of Moose River to the east.

                      Ecology:

                      This relatively small, completely open peatland lies very near the sea,
                 removed sufficiently from the rocky shore to be well beyond splash or storm
                 thrown debris. An exceptionally open peatland for its size, this plateau
                 has no Scirpus lawns, and Scirpus was not noticed during the visit. Sphagnum
                 fuscum communities are widespread, as is black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum).
                 Baked-apple berry (Rubus chamaemorus) is locally abundant, and bog goldenrod
                 (Solidago uliginosa) typically frequent but well dispersed. The Emeptrum
                 nigrum - Sphagnum fuscum community forms sub-hollowless plains in places.

                                                                                               121

                          In autumn,'brilliantly scarlet circular clones and exceptionally broad
                      marginal zones of dwarf huckleberry (Gaylussacia dumosa) provide exuberant
                      color, which contrasts with the purple-red of rhodora (Rhododendron canadense),
                      also marginal, and the intense greens and browns of the black crowberry
                      (Empetrum nigrum) hummocks. The northeastern lagg has a tree.canopy, whereas
                      moderately tall and thicket shrubs predominate in parts of the southwestern
                      lagg. The extreme seaward edge of the peatland has a distinctive, narrow
                      band of shrubs. Deer trails radiate from the northwestern tip into the
                      peatland.

                          At present one can look directly at the sea when standing on the plateau,
                      for the vegetation between the peatland and the shore contains mostly shrubs,
                      grasses and herbs. At one time this area certainly was forested, presumably
                      by a coniferous forest. Salt spray reaches the peatland during strong storms
                      and winds, as well as abundant sea fog, providing a very maritime environment.

                          Along the seaward margin of the peatland is a low dam-like ridge of
                      unconsolidated deposits parallel with the shore. Almost certainly a former
                      beach deposit, this geomorphic feature may have provided the necessary shallow
                      basin for the initiation of the peatland. This significant feature warrants
                      investigation. Radiocarbon dating of the basal peats (and other inquiries)
                      should provide important information about former land-sea relationships.

                          Condition and Use:

                          Apparently seldom visited the peatland appears in excellent natural con-
                      dition. Use of the adjacent uplands appears common, possibly primarily be-
                      cause of the high scenic qualities of the coast. The smallness and accessi-
                      bility of the peatland make it particularly vulnerable to human disturbance.

                      16 SOUTH TRESCOTT HEATH, Trescott

                          Reasons for Recommendation:

                          South Trescott Heath is recommended because it uniquely consists of a
                      prominently raised circular plateau, an adjacent, incompletely circular pla-
                      teau, and an intervening minor stream. Well-developed coastal communities
                      form obvious vegetation zones, and the site has the best examples of radial,
                      shallow drainage channels of any peatland in the eastern United States--a
                      rare feature known only at two other Maine coastal raised bogs. The signifi-
                      cance of South Trescott Heath, among 115 coastal raised peatlands in Maine,
                      ranks 16th for Coastal Peatland Features'and 13th for All Peatland Features.

                          Significant Features:

                          - most obviously raised of any of the smaller Coastal Plateau Bogs
                          - extensive Empetrum nigrum - Sphagnum fuscum community on treeless
                               upper plateau, often as "hollowless" plains
                          - copious baked-apple berry (Rubus chamaemorus), and black crowberry
                                (Empetrum nigrum)
                          - prominent community zonation throughout, especially with elevation,
                               and along radial channels, the water track, and the plateau margins

                                                                                            122

                      - excellent development of radial channels on raised plateau
                      - distinctive, small water track crosses between the two raised units

                      Location and Size:

                      About 0.8 mile west of Baileys-Mistake this peatland is easily reached
                 from Route 191 south of South Trescott via the small road just northeast of
                 The Pool. About 80 acres of the 106-acre site are open peatland.

                      Ecology:

                      This is a very distinctive site, and perhaps should be ranked even
                 higher. As with Carrying Place Cove Bog, this peatland has added signifi-
                 cance because of the documentation done by Osvald (1955, 1970) in 1927.

                      Of interest and significance is the shape of this peatland, being one
                 complete, circular plateau, with a water track along its southwestern margin,
                 and a second, incompletely circular plateau lying southwest of the water
                 track. The two plateaus form a single, oblong peatland with origins in a,
                 shallow lake (Osvald, 1955).

                      The vegetation is typical of the peatlands of moderate size in the
                 Coastal Region, and the descriptions of Osvald (1955) seem applicable still.
                 The bulk of the plateaus are dominated by dwarf shrub heaths that give way
                 to the Empetrum nigrum -.Sphagnum fuscum community with copious baked-apple
                 berry (Rubus chamaemorus) at higher elevations. No-Scirpus cespitosus was
                 noted by Osvald (1955) or observed during my visit.

                      The water track is distinctive on the ground and even more so.from
                 the air, and forms a prominent feature of significance, being a surficial
                 drainage across a peatland of simple stucture (cf. the cross-section illus-
                 trated by Osvald, 1955, Figure 1). In autumn the pathway is colorfully
                 marked by the purple-red rhodora (Rhododendron canadense). The water track
                 drains surficial and possibly subsurface waters. From the center of the
                 northeast plateau (really a shallow dome), radiate several linear depressions
                 that channel surface water during heavy precipitation. Perceptibly, but
                 not strikingly, marked by vegetation differences, a few of these channels,
                 which are best seen from the air, lead to the water track. From the other
                 dome a small region of rhodora dominated community lead from a few trees
                 to the water track. It is likely a small soak.

                      Trees are nearly absent on the larger dome, which has the   largest expan-
                 ses of'Empetrum nigrum -.Sphagnum fuscum community, but are scattered on
                 the smaller dome, which may be lower in elevation. A narrow, forested lagg
                 surrounds most of the raised peatland.

                      Condition and Use:

                      Previously burned for enhancement of berry production, this peatland
                 now seems little visited and essentially in completely natural condition.

                                                                                                  123

                      17 BOOT COVE HEATH, Lubec

                           Reasons for Recommendation:

                           Boot Cove Heath is recommended because it displays notably both "hollow-
                      less" plain and accentuated hummock topographies with abundant coastal species
                      in communities modified by an extreme maritime climate. It is one of the
                      smallest sites with obviously raised peats. The significance of Boot Cove
                      Heath, among 115 coastal raised peatlands in Maine, ranks 14th for Coastal
                      Peatland Features and 14th for All Peatland Features.

                           Significant Features:

                             excellent development of Sphagnum fuscum dominated communities,
                                including "hollowless plains" and prominent hummocks
                             locally abundant lichens in Sphagnum. fuscum. communities
                             abundant baked-apple berry (Rubus chamaemorus) and black crowberry
                                (Empetrum. nigrum)
                             scattered Scirpus cespitosus, but no lawns
                             one of smallest sites with obviously raised peats

                           Location and Size:

                           A short woods road leads south from the South Trescott-Lubec road to
                      this peatland that is about 0.4 mile west of Boot Cove. Less than 20.acres
                      of this nearly 50-acre site are open.

                           Ecology:

                           This oblong peatland reveals its extreme maritime position by the very
                      well-developed Empetrum nigrum. - Sphagnum fuscum. community, which occupies
                      much of the plateau. In places there is very "lumpy" hummock-hollow terrain,
                      elsewhere essentially hollowless Sphagnum, fuscum. plains prevail. Baked-
                      apple berry (Rubus chamaemorus) is prolific throughout. Lichens commonly
                      are prominent . Stunted spruce are here and there. Scirpus cespitosus grows
                      throughout the site amid the Sphagnum. fuscum, but does not form lawns.

                           The forested peatland margins merge with organic upland soils in places.

                           Condition and Use:

                           Apparently seldom visited this peatland is in essentially natural condi-
                      tion. Some logging activity abuts the peatland.

                      18 CARRYING PLACE COVE BOG, Lub  ec

                           Reasons for Recommendation:

                           Carrying Place Cove Bog is recommended as one of the most significant
                      peatlands in the eastern United States because of its pronounced coastal
                      plateau morphology and vegetation, the erosion by tidewater, the overriding

                                                                                         124

                by an active beach, the documented persistence of the peatland features,
                and the visibility and accessibility of the site. The complete, natural
                cross-sectional exposure of raised peatland is unique in the eastern United
                States and of tremendous scientific importance; the isthmus geomorphic set-
                ting is unparalleled in the United S 'tates for a raised bog. The significance
                of Carrying Place Cove Bog, among 115 coastal raised peatlands in Maine,
                ranks Ist for Coastal Peatland Features and 3rd for All Peatland Features.

                     Significant Features:

                       displays with exceptional clarity the morphological and biological
                          characteristics of the Coastal Plateau Bog type; one of only
                          four sites in the United States known to so completely exhibit
                          the type characteristics
                       outstanding examples of marginal slope morphology, with exceptionally
                          well-developed surface ponds
                     - one of only three Coastal Plateau Bogs in Maine with concentric
                        I patterning
                     - coastal species and communities well represented
                     - Scirpus cespitosus lawns exceptional in the large proportion of the
                          peatland covered
                     - described and photographed in 1927 (Osvald,  1955); appears in several
                          publications; and frequently visited by scientists
                     - complete, natural cross-sectional exposure of raised peatland unique
                          in eastern United States, and of tremendous scientific importance

                     Location and Size:

                     Carrying Place Cove Bog is located on the narrow isthmus between West
                Quoddy Head and the mainland. The site contains about@43 acres, some 22
                of which are open plateau.

                     Ecology:

                     The pearland is clearly defined to the north by a sea cut, vertical
                erosion face that rises 10 or more feet above mud flats, and to the east
                and west by the prominent marginal slopes of the bog. To the south deposits
                of a scenic crescentic beach overlay the peat.

                     Carrying Place Cove Bog is in a geomorphological setting unparalleled
                in the United States. Having formed in a shallow depression (probably the
                central region of a tombollo) on the isthmus at an elevation beyond the-
                reach of tide water, this peatland has been lowered as part of a "sinking"
                coastine phenomenon so that the sea directly affects the south and north
                faces of the peat deposit and its vegetation. The south margin is being
                overridden by a typical crescentic gravel beach. Most outstanding is the
                north face of the peatland which is a vertical erosion escarpment exposing
                a full cross-section of the peatland.

                     In this section one can see the entire peatland history, beginning
                with clays then shallow pond or marsh sediments, topped by the exposed roots
                of a swamp forest or thicket that was thence replaced by generations of
                hummocks and hollows that suffered occasional surface fires. I know of no

                                                                                                125

                     other natural exposure of peat, so graphic in its display of the history of
                     the bog, so complete in its c.ross-section anywhere in the United States.
                     The exposure is of tremendous importance for the scientific study of raised
                     peatlands.

                          Carrying Place Cove Bog displays with exceptional clarity the morpho-
                     logical and biological characteristics of the Coastal Plateau Bog peatland
                     types, and is one of only four sites in the United States known to so com-
                     pletely exhibit the type characteristics. An obvious raised bog, the peat-
                     land is noticeably a plateau with a flattened upper surface, sharply defined
                     marginal slopes, and evident, narrow laggs. Outstanding examples of surface
                     ponds occur on both the east and west shoulders of the peatland. Trees
                     are absent from the peatland except at the laggs.

                          Dwarf shrub communities predominate on the slopes, and Scirpus lawn
                     communities occupy much of the plateau surface. The Scirpus communities
                     and the pond sytems, as they merge with the dwarf shrub comminities, display
                     concentric patterning that defines the surface elevational contours of the
                     peatland.

                          Well represented are the coastal communities Scirpus cespitosus - Sphagnum
                     fuscum and Empetrum nigrum - Sphagnum fuscum, as well as several important
                     coastal species: baked-apple berry (Rubus chamaemorus), black crowberry
                     (Empetrum nigrum), bog goldenrod (Solidago uliginosa), and common juniper
                     (Juniperus communis). The Scirpus cespitosus lawns are exceptional in their
                     extent. At least two additional, scarce species are reported from this
                     peatland, Geocaulon lividum, a herbaceous root parasite, and Lycopodium.
                     annotinum var. pungens, a type of "club moss."

                          The narrow thicket of alder (Alnus crispa) where beach sands are being
                     deposited upon peat is more than just a community simply formed as a blend
                     of shore and peatland species (a feature noted by Osvald during his 1927
                     visit). The dwarf shrub communities (see Osvald 1955 for descriptions)
                     are less vigorous in height than on most other coastal raised bogs due to
                     the enhanced drainage caused by the exposure of the sea-cut face. More
                     or less, the closer to the truncation the lower shrubs, the lesser the hum-
                     mock and hollow relief, and the less prominent the Sphagna.

                          This peatland is not large compared with other sites recommended in
                     this report; however, its original size was certainly larger as it extended
                     -at least @4 mile further north, according to the recollections of local resi-
                     dents in the early part of this century (Bastin and Davis 1909), or more
                     than a mile northward (Dachnowski-Stokes 1930).

                          Condition and Use:

                          The site is relatively undisturbed with the exception of West Quoddy
                     Head Road across the isthmus to Quoddy Head State Park and the easternmost
                     point of the United States. Occasional tourists stop along the road and
                     walk over the bog. Increased treading of this sort could cause damage to
                     the peatland. Hummock and hollow patterns and the pond system of the bog
                     are likely the features most susceptible to visitor disturbance. In recent
                     times the peatland seems to have remained in its natural state: the photos

                                                                                            126

                 taken by Osvald in 1927 could have been taken in 1979, there is such little
                 difference. Of particular importance is his photo of some of the ponds.
                 The ponds appear essentially the same now as in 1927. Osvald's vegetation
                 description is applicable now, over 50 years after his visit.

                      The area has been used for scientific studies in the past, most notably
                 by Osvald. Dachnowski-Stokes (1930) used the exposed north face for studies
                 of vegetational history. Its accessibility makes it exceptionally desirable
                 for research and education.

                 19 WEST QUODDY HEAD HEATH, Lubec

                      Reasons for Recommendation:

                      West Quoddy Head Heath is recommended because it has coastal raised
                 peatland 'vegetation alongside "bead" patterned pondlets and wet depressions
                 in a wet central drainage, and because it is the easternmost open peatland
                 in the United States. The.significance of West Quoddy Head Heath, among
                 115 coastal raised peatlands in Maine, ranks 19th for Coastal Plateau Fea-
                 tures and 19th for All Peatland Features.

                      Significant Features:

                        dwarf shrub communities and stunted spruce clumps the prominent
                           vegetation in more open areas
                        "bead" patterned.pondlets and wet depressions in wet, central drainage
                        considerable community and species diversity in.small area
                        not a plateau,,,*but having infrequent Sphagnum fuscum hummocks with
                           both black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) and b.aked-apple berry (Rubus
                           chamaemorus)

                      Location and Size:

                      About 0.6 mile southwest of West Quoddy Head lighthouse, this    peatland
                 can be reached by poorly marked ways through forest and scrub from    north
                 or south. The entire site is little more than 13 acres, of which about
                 7 are open.

                      Ecology:

                      Although the hydrology of the site was incompletely assessed during
                 the visit, the site appears to be an oblong peatland that occupies a broad
                 spot in the drainage of the scrub and forest of the upper elevations of
                 West Quoddy Head. Most open near a wet, central waterway, the peatland
                 has thicket, low tree and taller tree margins, with spruce the dominant
                 woody plant.

                      In the more open areas there are infrequent Sphagnum fuscum hummocks
                 with black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) and baked-apple berry (Rubus chamae-
                 morus). Dwarf shrub communities and stunted black spruce (Picea mariana)
                 clumps are the prominent vegetation, which quickly gains height toward the

                                                                                                  127

                     margins of the peatland. The central wet area approaches stream flow at
                     places, and has a fine example of "bead" patterned pondlets and wet depres-
                     sions. Graminoid species are common, and include Scirpus cespitosus,
                     Rhynchospora alba, and cotton grasses (Eriophorum. spp.).

                          Condition and Use:.

                          Because of its small size, the wetness of the open area, and the near-
                     ness of the well-used public trail, the site, if access were made easier,
                     could be severely altered through trampling. Occasional foot traffic al-
                     ready has accentuated some hummocks and channelized some wetter locations.
                     Currently the peatland is little visited and in fine natural condition.f

                     Sites Likely Suitable for Evaluation as Potential Critical Areas

                          Eighteen peatlands'are "likely suitable for evaluation as a potential
                     Critical Area as a Coastal Raised Bog or related phenomenon, but visit or
                     other data needed to confirm status" (Table 4). None appear to have suffi-
                     cient significancy to place them among the,top five or so of the )sites recom-
                     mended, but probably are di@persed among the ranking of the other recommended
                     sites.

                          Potentially the most important are three sites at the southwestern
                     end of the study area. Peatlands at "SW corner of Little Cranberry Island"*
                     and "0.8 mile E of Summer Harbor" may further define the southwestern limits
                     of the Coastal Plateau Bog phenomenon, while the peatland "0.6 mile SW of
                     Corea" appears to have beaver damming as well as an extreme maritime expo-
                     sure. The morphology and vegetation of the Corea site are undetermined.

                          Also near Corea are three peatlands C'0.2 mile W of Corea Cemetery;
                     0.7 mile W of Long Mill Cove; and 1.0 mile WNW of Newman Cove"), which like
                     three sites on nearby Petit Manan Point ("0.7 mile NW of Chair Pond; 0.5
                     mile SW of Chair Pond; and along Big Pond stream, W of Wood Pond Cove and
                     Wood Pond Point") are smaller peatlands, often complexes with associated
                     streams, whose topography and vegetation were assessed only from the air.
                     Although not large, clearly zoned Coastal Plateau bogs, these sites likely
                     contain coastal peatland phenomena of significance.

                          Five sites ("southeastern end of Crowley Island; 0.3 mile N of Head
                     Harbor; 0.8 mile NE of West Jonesport; 1.1 miles W and WNW of Sandy River
                     Beach; and 0.1 mile N of shore, Little Pond Head") in the greater Jones-
                     port area clearly require on-the-ground visitations as they lie between
                     or adjacent to peatlands already recommended. Several of these sites may
                     have well-developed coastal peatland features.

                          Four sites ("0.5 mile SE of Compass Rock; 1.5 miles E of 'Harmon Heath';
                     0. 2 mile E of 'Harmon Heath'; and 'Harmon Heath"') north and northeast of
                     Culter likely are near the inland boundary of the Coastal Region. Relatively

                          *Locations in quotations refer to Table 4.

                                                                                         128

                 small, these peatlands may have some coastal communities and species, but
                 clearly lack central Scirpus lawns and prominent plateau morphology. Several
                 similarly sized, and probably similarly vegetated, peatlands in Addison
                 (including "1.1 miles W of Bryant Corners, E and N of hill; 0.9 and 1.8
                 miles W of Hall Hill; and 0.2, 1.0, and 1.5 miles E of road, E of Reef Point")
                 may likewise be at or near the inland limit of Coastal Region characteristics.

                      Of all these sites only the peatland east of Summer Harbor (and possibly
                 the Little Cranberry Island. site) is suspected of having central a small
                 area of central Scirpus lawn. The Little Cranberry Island site along with
                 the peatlands "0.6 mile SW of Corea" and "0.1 mile N of shore, Little Pond
                 Head, Great Wass Island" are noteworthy because they lie adjacent to the sea.

                 The Smaller Peatlands

                      Within the Coastal Region there are some 68 "smaller," open or sparsely
                 treed, peatlands, with 15 to 75, or so, acres of raised peatland. The largest
                 concentrations are in Cutler (19) and Addison (13), with about 6 in Roque
                 Bluffs and 9 in Trescott/Lubec, but only 7 noted southwest of Addison.

                      Eighteen of these peatlands were visited; most were overflown. With
                 one or two possible exceptions, all appear to be in an essentially unaltered
                 natural state. Seven are recommended for evaluation as proposed Critical
                 Areas. Fifty sites were not visited, most were overfloWn and many were
                 photographed. Of these, eight may have @ufficient features to recommend
                 evaluation (see previous section). Visitation of these sites is encouraged.

                      The features of the remaining 53 peatlands appear to-be,represented
                 in one or more of the sites recommended for evaluation by this study. Al-
                 though each site has its own unique characteristics, and although the sites
                 appear virtually undisturbed, they are sufficiently similar that, at this
                 time, to recommend one would mean the recommendation of virtually all the
                 53. Considering their excellent natural condition, should additional features
                 be discovered at some future time, some of the sites may be considered then
                 for evaluation as potential Critical Areas.

                 Shrub Slope Peatlands

                      Sites known or suspected of having Shrub Slope peatlands commonly are
                 contiguous with or very nearby raised peatlands, often with intergrading
                 peats and hydrologies. None exceed a few acres in extent; many may prove
                 to have mineral soils. The sites, of which only e, h, i, and j were visited
                 in this study, include:

                      a) "Group of four peatlands N of Hamilton Cove," Lubec. With
                         these small peatlands there may be a limited amount of Shrub
                         Slope Peatland.

                      b) "Two peatlands, 0.4 and 1.0 miles W of Eastern Head," by Moose
                         River, Trescott. These peatlands may include a limited amount
                         of Shrub Slope Peatland.

                                                                                              129

                          c)  "0.3 mile NE of Fairy Head," Cutler. This site, which has
                              some open peatland, may include a limited amount of Shrub-
                              Slope Peatland.

                          d)  "Three peatlands W of Starboard Island Bar, on Point of Main,"
                              Machiasport. The overflight revealed a limited amount of pos-
                              sible Shrub Slope Peatland with the three small peatlands.

                          e)  "Kelley Point Peatland Complex," Jonesport. What seems to be
                              Shrub Slope Peatland occurs southeast of the plateau, descending
                              westwardly into bog and patterned fen drainage. Minor patches
                              occur along the northern part of the western margin of the
                              plateau. These areas-are included within the site being recom-
                              mended for evaluation as a possible Critical Area.

                          f)  "Jonesport Heath," Jonesport. Inspection of photographs taken
                              at low elevations during the overflight reveal small portions
                              of terrain along the periphery of the northern half of this
                              site (and perhaps "Jonesport Heath, North Unit" as well) that
                              might contain small amounts of Shrub Slope Peatland.

                          g)  "0.1 mile N of shore, Little Pond Head," Great Wass Island.
                              At the southeastern extremity of Great Wass Island this open
                              peatland appears to merge with Shrub Slope Peatlands, both
                              peatland types worthy of visitation and consideration as
                              Critical Areas. Gaylussacia spp. are prominent shrubs. This
                              site is especially noteworthy because of the extensive, bar-
                              ren, sea-washed rocks along its south margin.. Flotsam is
                              occasionally thrown on the margin of the peatland during very
                              intensive storms. The site likely merits Critical Area status.

                          h)  "0.3 mile NW of the Pond, " Great Wass Island. This is the
                              "type" location of the Shrub Slope Peatlands, and includes
                              much of the terrain between Three Falls Point., The Pond, and
                              the heath north of The Pond. The Shrub Slope Peatlands are
                              contiguous, in part, with the heath. The natural features
                              of this site are exemplar and numerous; it will most certainly
                              quality for Critical Area status.

                          i)  "0.3 mile N of Black Duck Cove, W side of road," Great Wass
                              Island. This*site may be at or near the northern limit of
                              Shrub Slope peatlands on Great Wass Island. Disruption by
                              local road building provides some cross-sectional views of
                              the peat.

                          j)  Other Great Wass Island sites. Brief forays into other sec-
                              tions of central and southern Great Wass Island revealed other,
                              usually small, instances of Shrub Slope Peatland.

                          k)  "Tip of Petit Manan Point S and W of Big Pond," Steuben. The
                              entire end of the Petit Manan peninsula is devoid of forest
                              cover, with occasional bedrock outcrops exposed above a gently
                              undulating cover of shrubs. A visit is crucial to confirm the
                              presence of peat and Shrub Slope Peatland.

                                                                                                130

                        1) "0.5 mile SW of Stanley Cove, three small peatlands" and "0.3
                            mile S of Stanley Cove, on shore," Steuben. These two loca-
                            tions, near the tip of Dyer Point, might contain a limited
                            amount of Shrub Slope Peatland.

                  Summary of the Natural Significance of the Coastal Raised Bogs

                        This summary of the natural significancy of th    e coastal raised bogs
                  contains two sections. The first notes some of the natural phenomena of
                  significance that these peatlands have by virtue of their being peatlands,
                  in contrast with other kinds of landscape. This rather general listing
                  is followed by the more specific natural significance of the coastal raised
                  bogs, especially with respect to other North American peatlands.

                        Peatlands are significant natural features for at least these reasons:

                        a) in  their development  *they very highly modify their local environ-
                            ment, more so than any other ecosystems

                        b)  they store organic material and water

                        C)  -they act as nutrient sinks and reservoirs

                        d)  they are monitors of climatic conditions

                        e)  they contain a record for past millenia of climate, vegetation,
                            fauna, etc.

                        f)  they are  habitats for species and communities

                                 i)   that are uncommon or rare
                                ii)   that often occur in more northerly latitudes
                               iii)   that are pleasing to man (such as orchids, blue-
                                      berries and other berries, carnivorous plants,
                                      dwarfed trees, species with showy autumn colors,
                                      etc.)

                        g)  they are  very distinct ecosystems that are important con-
                            tributors to the diversity of the landscape

                        h)  they offer natural open vistas in terrain otherwise naturally
                            forested

                        i   they provide open landscape for various wildlife, notably
                            deer, raptors, mice and voles

                      .The coastal raised peatlands of Maine are significant peatlands because:

                        a) they include the,only Coastal Plateau Bogs in the eas7tern United
                            States

                                                                                            131

                          b)  the Coastal Plateau Bogs-are rare in North Americ a, other-
                              wise known only from limited coastal areas of New Brunswick,
                              Nova Scotia and Newfoundland (and possibly along the North
                              Pacific Coast)

                          .c) the Coastal Plateau Bogs have a morphological counterpart
                              in northern Europe with related vegetation that has differ-
                              ences in speciation, species composition, and ecological roles

                          d)  they include outstanding examples of the Coastal Plateau Bog
                              morphology (including allied features such as offset heights,
                              bays, drainage ways, entrapped streams, radial channels, con-
                              centric patterning, etc.) and the coastal peatland communities

                          e)  they are raised bogs; the only clearly raised bogs in the United
                              States east of the northern Lake States are in Maine

                          f)  they are at the southern limit of raised bogs in eastern North
                              America, and include some of the southernmost raised peatlands
                              in North America

                          g)  they include the easternmost open peatland in the United States

                              as part of the continental to maritime variation of raised bogs
                              in eastern North America, these are the most maritime in the
                              United States, especially as they merge with the Shrub Slope
                              Peatlands

                          i)  they include an outstanding example of variation in peatland
                              types along an ombrotrophic to minerotrophic gradient

                          j)  they are the only raised peatlands in the eastern United States
                              where minerotrophic species such as skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus
                              foetidus) and common juniper (Juniperus communis) grow on ombro-
                              trophic peats, a phenomenon otherwise restricted in North America
                              to parts of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, British
                              Columbia, Alaska, and possibly Washington.

                          k)  they include the only peatlands in the eastern United States
                              (perhaps anywhere in the United States) with jack pine (Pinus
                              banksiana), whose subdued habit is similar to the habit of lodge-
                              pole pine (Pinus contorta) in coastal peatlands in Alaska

                          1)  they have the southern limit of lowland habitat for baked-apple
                              berry (Rubus chamaemorus) and black crowberry (ERpetrum nigrum),
                              important species of the Northern Hemisphere in higher latitude
                              ecosystems

                          M)  they have the southern limit of the Empetrum nigrum - Sphagnum
                              fuscum and Scirpus cespitosus - Sphagnum fuscum communities

                          n)  in lacking Gaylussacia baccata dwarf shrub heath community on
                              hummock crests, they show their affinity with raised peatlands
                              of adjacent extreme southwest New Brunswick and coastal New-
                              foundland

                                                                                         132

                     0)   the prominence of Sphagnum fuscum in hummock, hollow (some), and
                          lawn communities demonstrates their affinities with coastal peat-
                          lands of adjacent extreme southwest New Brunswick and the north-
                          eastern coast of that province

                     p)   the Scirpus cespitosus lawns reveal their af finities with coastal
                          and near-coastal peatlands of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, New-
                          foundland and the.Gulf of St. Lawrence region of Quebec

                     q)   they apparently have the greatest diversity of species of raised
                          peatlands in the eastern United States

                     r)   they include a notable diversity of fen communities, especially
                          in extreme maritime settings

                     s)   they have the southernmost raised bog pond system in the eastern
                          United States, probably in all of the United States

                     t)   they include the southernmost variety of sloping peatland types
                          at low elevations in the United States

                     u)   because they are a special type of raised bog (hence depend upon
                          the atmosphere for their moisture and nutrients) they clearly de-
                          fine a climatic zone of biologic importance, unique in the United
                          States, though related to south coastal Alaska climates

                     v)   they include the only ombrogenic peatlands in the United States
                          being eroded by tidewater, a phenomenon rare in North America,
                          otherwise only known from limited locations in extreme maritime
                          Atlantic Canada

                     w)   they havethe only example in the United States known to me with
                          a complete, natural cross-sectional exposure of a raised peat-
                          land

                     x)   they have the only example in the eastern United States where
                          open ombrotrophic peatland communities are contiguous with open
                          tidal marsh communities

                     y)   they have the only example in the eastern United States with a
                          marine beach being deposited upon a raised peatland

                     Z)   they have the only example in the United States known to me
                          where a raised bog forms an isthmus between mainland and an
                          island

                     aa)  they have sites with ground frost that persists locally well
                          into the summer, probably the southernmost persistence of ice
                          in lowland peatlands in the United States

                     bb)  an exceptionally high proportion of the sites are in essen-
                          tially natural condition

                                                                                            133

                         cc)  there is some documentation, at least within this century, of
                              the persistence of pond systems, vegetation pattern, and commu-
                              nity composition, and of gross successional trends following
                              fire and other disturbances

                         dd)  they provide abundant opportunity for the study of succession
                              in the Coastal Raised Bog Region, both natural succession and
                              succession following disturbance

                          ee) they include a very small percentage of Maine's peatlands (less
                              than two percent), and a far lesser percentage of the nation's
                              peatlands; moreover, of the 135 or more coastal peatlands only
                              7 display the majority of Coastal Plateau Bog features, and only
                              2 sites, the Jonesport Heath (including the North Unit) and
                              Kelley Point Heath, are fully characteristic of that bog type

                         ff)  they include some of the more visible and accessible raised
                              peatlands in the United States

                         gg)  they, because of their cranberries, have provided local place
                              names, including the name of a township

                                                                                        134

                 Table 4. Annotated inventory and classification of possible peatlands in the
                       study area. The following notes refer to the last four columns
                       (listed at beginning of table):

                 1.   Identification number,for recommended (R) sites.

                 2.   Distances are generally to the center of the peatland; directions are
                      approximate; names and locations from U.S.G.S. topographic maps

                 3.   F- Low level overflight and photos
                      A- Aerial photograph inspection (1:12,000-1:20,000, also 1:80,000)
                      V- On the ground visit
                      T- Topographic map (U.S.G.S. 7-2' and/or 15')
                      C- Included in Cameron 1975
                      D- Included in Damman 1977 or Pers. Comm.
                      J- Included in Johnson 1977
                      0- Included in Osvald 1970 or 1955
                      B- Included in Bastin and Davis 1909
                      R- Recommended for evaluation as a potential Critical Area

                      Ru- Botanically and Ecologically Significant but undecided Status
                         regarding Critical Area Designation
                      Rv-Likely suitable for evalu ation as a potential Critical Area as a
                         Coastal Raised Bog or related phenomenon, but visit or other data
                         needed to confirm status

                      X  Not suitable for evaluation as a potential Critical Area (principal
                         reason given in notes)

                      S  To be considered in the peatland category Shrub Slope Peatlands

                      C  Coastal Raised Bog or related phenomenon, acceptable natural con-
                         ditions, but without sufficient characteristics now known to recom-
                         mend for evaluation as a potential Critical Area

                      Cv Likely Coastal Raised Bog or related phenomenon, possibly an Inland
                         peatland type, appears to be of acceptable natural condition, visit
                         or other data needed to confirm peatland type, but apparently with-
                         out'sufficient characteristics to recommend for evaluation as a
                         potential Critical Area

                      I  Inland.peatland type

                      Iv Likely an Inland peatland type, possibly a Coastal Raised Bog or re-
                         lated phenomenon, appears to be of acceptable natural condition, visit
                         or other data needed to confirm peatland type; if Coastal Raised Bog
                         or related phenomenon apparently without sufficient characteristics
                         to recommend for evaluation as a potential Critical Area

                      IC Not a Coastal Raised Bog or related phenomenon, but in the Coastal
                         Raised tog region; to be considered with peatland types also known
                         from the Inland region (includes some marshes, fens, thickets, and
                         swamps); includes sites with wide range of natural quality

                                                                                                 135

                                                  Table 4 (continued)

                                                                             2                    3        4
                   Quadrangle       Township No.            Location or Name           Data Source Status

                  Eastport 7Y       Perry             0.5 mile N of Pattangal  Cove      A,T        IV

                  Pembroke 7Y       Pembroke          0.5 mile W of Long Cove            A,T,C      IV
                                                      N.B. Although unlikely, this site
                                                      migi@t contain coastal properties. The
                                                      boundary between coastal and inland
                                                      peatland types has not been precisely
                                                      determined in this vicinity as yet.

                                                      1.0 mile N of Youngs Cove          AS-T,      IV
                                                      N.B. Should the nearby peatland at
                                                      0.5 mile W of Long Cove prove to   have
                                                      coastal properties, then this site
                                                      should likewise be visited.

                                                      0.5 mile E of Ayers Junction,      A,T,C      I
                                                      north of and adjacent to'
                                                      railway

                                                      I mile S of Pennamaquan Lake,      A,T,C      I
                                                      0.3mile W of Pennamaquan River

                                                      Along Ohio Brook                   A,,T       I

                                    Edmunds           0.5 mile N of Dennysville          APT,       I
                                                      Station

                  Lubec 7Y          Lubec        19   0.6 mile SW of West Quoddy         F A,V,T    R
                                                      Head Lighthouse

                        to                       18   West Quoddy Head Neck, N of        F,A,V,C,   R
                                                      Carrying Place Cove                D,O,J,B

                  West Lubec 7,11'  Lubec             By road at Ridge Crossroads        F,A,V,T    x
                                                      N.B.- No features of significance noted.

                                                      Just S of Ellis Hill               F,A,T      IV

                                                      0.5 mile E of Thayer   Ledges      F,A,T      IV

                                                      1.2 miles E of Thayer Ledges       F,A,T      IV

                                                      Group of 4 peatlands N of          F,A,T      CV,S
                                                      Hamilton Cove
                                                      N.B._ These peatlands, especially the
                                                      larger two, maybe quite similar to the
                                                      peatland 0.4 mile W of Boot Cove, 2k
                                                      miles to the southwest along the coast.
                                                      Like that site, these peatlands may have,
                                                      or be associated with, Shrub Slope peat-
                                                      lands. Scirpus was not noted on the
                                                      overflight.

                                                                                               136

                                             Table 4 (continued)

              West Lubec 7 1/2'  Lubec        17   0.4 mile W of Boot Cove           F,A,V,T       R
                                                                                    C

                                                  0.2 mile E of Rte. 191,           F,A,T         Cv
                                                  1.3 miles N of South Trescott

                                                  1 mile N of Baileys Mistake       F,A,T         Cv

                                                  1.7 miles N of Baileys Mistake    F,A,T         Cv

                                                1.8 miles NNE of Baileys          F,A,T     Cv
                                                  Mistake

                                Trescott     16   0.8 mile W of Baileys Mistake     F,A,V,T,      R
                                                                                    C,O,J,B

                                                  Group of three peatlands          F,A,T         IV
                                                  I mile SE of No. 9 Hill
                                                  N.B. The location of the boundary be-
                                                  tween coastal and inland peatland types
                                                  has not been precisely determined in
                                                  this vicinity

                                                  Along Finnegan Brook              F,A,T         IV

                                                  0.9 mile S of Lily Lake           A,T            IV

              Cutler 15'        Trescott          Two peatlands, 0.4 and 1.0        F,A,T         Cv,S
                                                  miles W of Eastern Head
                                                  N.B. This terrain was viewed only
                                                  briefly on the-overflight. There might
                                                  be small patches of Shrub Slope peat-
                                                  land present.

                                       15    0.3 mile S of Moose River,        F,A,V,T       R
                                                  0.3 mile W of shore            J

              Cutler 7 1/2'       Cutler            0.5 mile E of Little Machias      F,A,V,T       C

                                                  0.2 mile NW of Great Head         F,A           C

                                                  0.5 mile NE of head of Little     F,A,T         Cv
                                                  River inlet
                                                  N.B. Possibly not a peatland

                                                  0.3 mile NW of Cutler Village     F,A,T         Cv

                                                  0.3 mile NE of Fairy Head         F,A,T         Cv,S
                                                  N.B. This peatland possibly contains,
                                                  or is associated with, Shrub Slope peat-
                                                  lands.

                                                                                                         137

                                                      Table 4 (continued)

                    Cutler 7;1'        Cutler              Three heaths at headwaters           F,A,T        Cv
                                                           of Black Point Brook

                                                           Peatlands along upper reaches        F,A,V,T      Ic
                                                           of Schooner Brook, south of
                                                           road
                                                           N.B. Wetlands in this area, and      those
                                                           1.5 miles eastward in the Holmes     Cove
                                                           Brook drainage, appear to be mostly wet
                                                           meadows, fens, and (non-bog) thickets.

                                                           By Bog Brook, east of road           F,A,T        Cv

                                                           Ackley Pond wetlands                 F,A,T        Ic
                                                           N.B. These pond and    stream margin wet-
                                                           lan;Ts likely include  peatlands, and
                                                           should be considered   with other similar
                                                           peatlands in Coastal   and Inland regions.
                                                           Pond margin peatlands are very scarce in
                                                           the Coastal region,:the most similar be-
                                                           ing the much larger Forbes Pond system
                                                           in Gouldsboro (which may be in the Inland,
                                                           not the Coastal region).

                                                           At head of brook leading    to       F,A,T        Cv
                                                           Ackley Pond, N of Pond Ridge

                                                           "Harmon Heath "to and peatland       FIA,T,D      Rv
                                                           0.2 mile E of "Harmon Heath"
                                                           N.B. Harmon Heath is one of     the  largest
                                                           of the "smaller" Coastal Raised Bogs, and
                                                           is in the portion of the study area most
                                                           dense with peatlands. This site is in-
                                                           cluded in Damman's (1977) list of Coastal
                                                           Plateau Bogs. It is virtually treeless,
                                                           except for the lagg. There is but one
                                                           pond, and it is at the margin of the peat-
                                                           land. Scirpus lawns were not visible from
                                                           the air, but Scirpus might be present in
                                                           a very minor graminoid wet area at one
                                                           margin. From the air dwarf shrub communi-
                                                           ties and Sphagnum fuscum communities could
                                                           not be differentiated easily, although the
                                                           SRhagnum fuscum-Empetrum nigrum community
                                                           seemed present, at least in small quantity,
                                                           on much of the plateau. There are small
                                                           patches of abundant lichens. The peatland
                                                           boundary is distinct and sharply defined,
                                                           and there is a single, not prominent,
                                                           water track. This site apparently differs
                                                           little from other of the "smaller" Coastal
                                                           Raised Bogs, except perhaps in its-combi-
                                                           nation of openness, size, extent of coast-
                                                           al communities, presence of,a pond, and

                                                                                               138-
                                             Table 4 (continued)

                                                  the presence of the water track. Low on
                                                  the list when compared with peatlands be-
                                                  ing recommended, this peatland may have
                                                  sufficient-features to set it apart from
                                                  the bulk of the "smaller" Coastal Raised
                                                  Bogs. A visit is strongly encouraged.

              Cutler 7Y         Cutler            1.5 miles E of "Harmon Heath"     F,A,T      Rv
                                                  N.B. This peatland is in the region of
                                                  the study area most dense with peatlands.
                                                  A few tens of acres, this lobed peatland
                                                  contains 3 or 4 regions of differing
                                                  vegetation types. A small stream divides
                                                  the peatland, and some minor ponds are
                                                  aligned on the peat adjacent to the
                                                  stream. This site likely has features
                                                  not found,at the nearby Harmon Heath.
                                                  The several features mentioned, and asso-
                                                  ciated features yet to be cpnfirmed,
                                                  appear to be sufficient for this site to
                                                  be evaluated as a potential Critical Area.
                                                  An on-the-ground visitation is recommended.

                                                  0.5 mile SE of Compass Rock       F,A,T      Rv

                                                  Head of Bog Brook                 F,A,T      IC
                                                  N.B. This site is forested, is presum-
                                                  ably not raised, and is certainly more
                                                  minerotrophic than the open peatland
                                                  immediately to its west (which sites on
                                                  a divide above the site at the head of
                                                  Bog Brook).

                                                  "Warren Meadows"                  F,A,T      IC
                                                  N.B. Peatlands, if any, in this   region
                                                  appear to be minerotrophic.

                                                  0.5 mile SE of Cocoa Mountain     F,A,T      IV
                                                  N.B. The boundary between coastal and
                                                  inland peatland types has not been pre-
                                                  cisely determined in this vicinity

                                                  NE corner of town of Cutler                  IV

                   if             if              Junction of Bagley Brook and      F,A,T      Ic
                                                  East Stream
                                                  N.B. These shrub rich peatlands   do not
                                                  appear to have coastal communities.
                                                  They have caused stream displacement and
                                                  should be considered with other similar
                                                  peatlands in Coastal and Inland regions.

                                                  "Little Harmon Heath," 0.8        F,A,T      CV
                                                  mile N of "Harmon Heath"

                                                                                                    139
                                                   Table 4 (continued)

                   Cutler 7h'        Cutler             0.4 mile SW of "Little Harmon       F,A,T       CV
                                                        Heath," W of road

                                                        W of junction of Eastern            F,A,T       Cv
                                                        Marsh Brook and Spring Brook

                        It              to              W of Spring Brook                   F,A,T       CV

                         It                             "Crotched Meadow"                   F,A,T       CV
                                                        N.B. Peatlands, if any, in this     region
                                                        appear to be minerotrophic.

                                     Whiting            Head of Lively Brook                A,T         IV
                                                        N.B. The boundary between coastal and
                                                        inland peatland types has not been pre-
                                                        cisely determined in thisvicinity.

                                                        Four small peatlands NE of          A,T,        IV
                                                        peatland at head of Lively
                                                        Brook

                   Whiting 7Y        Edmunds            0.3 mile E of Hobart Meadow         A,T         I
                                                        Mountain

                                                        0.5 mile NW of jct. of Crane        A,T         I
                                                        Meadow Brook with Hobart Stream

                                                        Head of Crane Meadow Brook          A,T         I

                                                            0
                                     Edmunds and        9 small peatlands, all within       A,T         I
                                     Whiting            about 1.5 miles of Western Lake

                                        it              1.2 miles SE of Whiting             A,T         IV

                                        it              Head of Reynolds Brook              A,T         IV

                                                        0.5 mile SW of Keniston Mtn.        F,A,T,V,    I
                                                                                            C
                                                        N.B.- No coastal species or communities
                                                        were encountered during a walk through
                                                        the central open area, which is rel   'a-
                                                        tively rich with woody plant growth.
                                                        The central area is clearly raised above
                                                        the water level of the Orange River.
                                                        This peatland should be considered with
                                                        other similar lake-bay peatlands in
                                                        Coastal and Inland regions.

                                                        Head of Lively Brook                A,T         IV

                                                        Group of three peatlands 0.7        A,T,V       x
                                                        mile SW of Reynolds Brook,
                                                        just S of Route 1
                                                        N.B._ This peatland appeared, upon

                                             Table 4 (continued)                            140

                                                 brief visit, to be minerotrophic and
                                                 somewhat disturbed, in part due to
                                                 adjacent land use.

              Cross Island 7Y                    NONE                               T

              Machias
              Bay 7Y           Whiting           "Hall(?) Heath," I mile SE of      A,T         IV
                                                 Indian Lake
                                                 N.B. A knowledgeable, local resident
                                                 called this peatland "Hall Heath." It
                                                 could possibly have some coastal features
                                                 but is likely within the Inland region.

                                                 0.8 mile NE  of Enoch Hill         F,A,T,C     Ic
                                                 N.B. This is a fine group of stream
                                                 margin peatlands, with several raised
                                                 portions. They do not appear to have
                                                 any coastal species or communities,
                                                 being shrub rich throughout the raised
                                                 portions. They appear to be the finest
                                                 example of their type within or adjacent
                                                 to the Coastal region,and should be con-
                                                 sidered with other similar stream margin
                                                 peatlands in Coastal and Inland regions.

                                                 0.4 mile E of lower Holmes         F,A,T,V     C
                                                 Stream

                               Cutler            0.2 mile N of Huntley Creek'       F,A,T       C

                                           12    0.4 mile S of Huntley Creek,       F,A,T,V,    R
                                                 by small U.S. Navy transmis-       C
                                                 sion station

                                                 Four peatlands N of Western        F,A,T       Cv
                                                 Marsh Brook, 0.2, 0.6, 0.9
                                                 miles

                                           14    0.4 mile W of  North Cutler        F,A,T,V,    R
                                                                                    D

                                           14    0.7 mile W of North Cutler         F,A,T,V,    R
                                                                                    D

                                           14    1.1 miles W of North Cutler        F,A,T,V     R
                                                 N.B. This site may be hydrologically
                                                 separate from the peatland to the east,
                                                 but lies in the same geomorphic setting
                                                 and should be included with those sites
                                                 (see further discussion in the text)

                                           13    1.9 miles W of North Cutler        F,A,T,V     R

                                                                                                              141
                                                        Table 4 (continued)

                    Machias
                    Bay 711'             Cutler              1.5 miles NW of North Cutler            F,A,T        C
                                                             N.B. This peatland is fairly treed.

                                                             0.5 mile NW of Holly Point              Aj           X
                                                             N.B. This peatland was drained and
                                                             otherwise disturbed during the con-
                                                             struction of the Cutler Navy Base.
                                                             A local resident claims it was totally
                                                             destroyed.

                    Roque
                    Bluffs 71@'          Jonesport           HalifaxIsland                           Aj           X
                                                             N.B._ Based upon my experience on Nash
                                                             Island, and upon reports from a Cutler
                                                             resident, the wetland on this island
                                                             is likely not a peatland, and is cer-
                                                             tainly highly altered.

                                         Roque Bluffs        Flanking unnamed pond at                F,A,T        Cv
                                                             Shoppee Point
                                                             N.B.   These wetlands were not visited,
                                                             and their character is unknown to me.

                          IT                                 0.8 mile N of Roque Bluffs,             F,A,T,V,     C
                                                             W side of road                          C,B

                                                             0.4 mile E of mouth of                  F,A,T,V     @C
                                                             Englishman River, N of     road         J,B

                                                             0.2 mile N of Mack Cove,                F,A,T,V,     C
                                                             S of road                               C

                                         Machiasport         Two peatlands W of mouth of             F,A,T        Cv
                                                             Starboard Creek
                                                             N.B. It is possible that these peat-
                                                             lanifs are part of the peatland system
                                                             to their south, nearer the tip of the
                                                             Point of Main.

                                                             Three peatlands W of Starboard          F$A,T        CvS
                                                             Island Bar, on Point of Main
                                                             N.B.*  From the air these peatlands seemed
                                                             to be characteristic, small coastal bogs.
                                                             However, they appeared to be associated
                                                             with a limited amount of what might possi-
                                                             bly be Shrub Slope peatland, and, thus,
                                                             they should be considered under that cate-
                                                             gory-

                    Machias 7;1'         Machias-     11     0.7 mile SW of Larrabee                 F,AV,T,      R
                                         port                                                        C,D
                                                             N.B. This peatland is commonly called
                                                             "Larrabee Heath" in this report.

                                                                                            142
                                              Table 4 (continued)

               Machias 7V       Roque Bluffs      0.7 mile E of Great Cove,         P,A,V,T      C
                                                  W of road

                                            10    0.8 mile NE of Great Cove,        F,A,V,T,     R
                                                  N of road                         C,J,B

                                                  1.5 miles N of Great Cove         F,A,T        Cv

                                Whitneyville      0.3 mile N of Route I at W        F,A,V,T      I
                                                  edge of quadrangle (67'30')       C,J

                                East Machias      "Runaway Pond Heath," head        F,A,V,T      I
                                                  of Meadow Brook                   C,D,J

              Great  Wass
              Island 7Y         Beals             0.3 mile N of Black Duck          F,A,V        C
                                                  Cove, E side of road
                                                  N.B. This peatland contains several
                                                  coastal species, is treeless, and by
                                                  virtue of its proximity to the road
                                                  and clear occupation of a tiny basin,
                                                  has notable local significance. I feel
                                                  that it is too disturbed by the adjacent
                                                  road, the utility poles, and nearby bull-
                                                  dozing to be considered of state signifi-
                                                  cance. I know of no other site just like
                                                  this one for smallness and accessibility
                                                  to the coastal plants, but the species,
                                                  communities and species compositions
                                                  appear on other sites being recommended
                                                  elsewhere in this report--usually as one
                                                  of many features in a larger peatland
                                                  system.

                                                  0.3 mile N of Black Duck          F,A,V        S
                                                  Cove, W side of road

                                           5      0.5 mile E of Norton   Point      F,A,T,V      R
                                                                                    C,J

                                     tv           0.6 mile SW of Mud Hole           F,A,T        C
                                                  Point
                                                  N.B. This site was not   visited, and
                                                  overflight phatography consists of a
                                                  single, distant photograph. It may be
                                                  a large fen, similar to others on Great
                                                  Wass Island, but of that I am uncertain.
                                                  The forthcoming study planned by The
                                                  Nature Conservancy (owner) should deter-
                                                  mine the general character of the site,
                                                  permit its classification., and help to
                                                  determine if the site should receive
                                                  further evaluation by the Critical Areas
                                                  Program. If this site is connected

                                                 'Table 4 (continued)                               143

                                                      hydrologically with one or more of the
                                                      peatlands to its south and west, then it
                                                      would certainly prove to have signifi-
                                                      cance, vis-a-vis that relationship with
                                                      the other sites, whose importance is
                                                      recognized elsewhere in this report.

                   Great Wass
                   Island 7h'       Beals       5     0.6 mile NE of Three Falls         F,A,T,V     R
                                                      Harbor

                                                5     0.3 mile NW of Cape Cove           F,A,V       R

                                                      0.5 mile N of Three Falls          F,A,T       C
                                                      Harbor
                                                      N.B. This site appears to contain
                                                      features present at several Great Wass
                                                      island peatlands being recommended as
                                                      Critical Areas, but with less distinc-
                                                      tiveness. The study being undertaken
                                                      by The Nature Conservancy (owner) may
                                                     .discover phenomena of significance. If
                                                      this site is connected hydrologically
                                                      with one or more of the peatlands to its
                                                      north or south, then it would certainly
                                                      prove to have significance, vis-a-vis
                                                      that relationship with the other sites,
                                                      whose importance is recognized elsewhere
                                                      in this report.

                                                6     0.3 mile N of The Pond             F.,A,T,V    R

                                                      0.3 mile NW of The Pond            F,A,T,V     S

                                                      0.3 mile W of Popplestone          F,A,T       Cv
                                                      Cove

                                                      0.1 mile N of shore, Little        F,A,T       Rv,S
                                                      Pond Head

                  Jonesport3l@f     Jonesport         1.1 miles W and WNW of             F,T         Rv
                                                      Sandy River Beach
                                                      N.B. Aerial photos of this peatland
                                                      were missing from the.Maine Geological
                                                      Survey files each of my visits. Our
                                                      overflight only skirted its edge. It
                                                      appears to be generally similar to the
                                                      Jonesport Heath, but may not contain
                                                      Scirpus lawns. The central streams
                                                      appear to be fairly broad, perhaps indi-
                                                      cating higher water levels than exist in-
                                                      the northern part of the Jonesport Heath
                                                      complex. The peatland is divided into
                                                      four or more units, each substantially

                                               Table 4 (continued)                              144

                                                    smaller than any of the Jonesport Heath
                                                    and Kelley Point Heath plateaus that con-
                                                    tain Scirpus lawns. Thus, Scirpus lawns
                                                    may be present, but are not expected; if
                                                    present they are probably very limited in
                                                    extent. Whether the chief natural values
                                                    lie in the presence of Scirpus.lawns, the
                                                    bisecting stream character, and/or in as
                                                    yet undiscovered features, this peatland
                                                    very likely has sufficient features to
                                                    warrant evaluation for potential Critical
                                                    Area status. A low level overflight, and/
                                                    or on-the-ground visit are strongly recom-
                                                    mended.

              Jonesport 7111     Jonesport          E of Indian River, northerly        F            I
                                                    of Jonesport Heath, large
                                                    wetland complex
                                                    N.B. This large wetland complex,-appar-
                                                    ently a variety of wet meadows, fens,
                                                    and streams, was overflown, but its loca-
                                                    tion was not determined precisely. Aerial
                                                    photos of this region were missing from
                                                    the Maine Geological Survey files each of
                                                    my visits. The presence or extent of peat-
                                                    lands in the complex, which hasnumerous
                                                    bedrock exposures, has not been determined.

                                                    1.3 miles W of Bar Island           T            Cv

                                                    1.1 miles NE of Indian River        F,T          IV
                                                    community (cf. Addison7Y
                                                    quadrangle)
                                                    N.B. This wetland may be part of the
                                                    complex discussed above ("E of Indian
                                                    River, northerly of Jonesport HeatIP).

                                             8      1.5 miles E of Indian River         F,T,D        R
                                                    community @cf. Addison,73i'
                                                    quadrangle)
                                                    N.B. This is the northern unit of the
                                                    Jonesport Heath complex, and is dis-
                                                    cussed elsewhere in the text.

                                             7      The whole interconnected and        F.%T,V,C,    Ru-,S
                                                    lobed complex of peatlands          D,J
                                                    south of E-W stream 2.0 miles
                                                    dire ctly W of Bar Island; the
                                                    complex extends to 0.3 mile
                                                    N of the head of Sawyer Cove

                                                    0.5 mile W of Natt Point,           F,T,V        X
                                                    crosses Route 187
                                                    N.B. This is a characteristic Coastal
                                                    Plateau Bog, small in size, and

                                                                                                    145
                                                  Table 4 (continued)

                                                      apparently without Scirpus lawns. It
                                                      has been considerably disturbed by drain-
                                                      age ditches and trench mining. Portions
                                                      of the peatland, between the trenches,
                                                      and in areas not trenched, do support the
                                                      Sphagnum fuscum-Empetrum nigrum-Rubus
                                                      chamaemorus community. The apparently
                                                      level, gravel (outwash?) substrate is.
                                                      evident in the bottom of parts of some
                                                      of the trenches. Mining has not been
                                                      active for at least 3 years, and per-
                                                      haps as much as a decade.

                   Jonesport 7Y     Jonesport         0.5 mile W of Little Pond         FqT,V        C
                                                      Beach, W of Route 187
                                                      N.B. This site is part of the preced-
                                                      ing site ("0.5 mile W of Natt Point,
                                                      crosses Route 187").

                                                9     Complex of peatlands between      F,T,V,D      R,S
                                                      Rhine Point, Kelley Point,
                                                      and Sawyer Cove; includes
                                                      large unit, small unit between
                                                      road and Kelley Point, and
                                                      unit W of road, Ou4 mile W of
                                                      Loon Point

                                                      0.8 mile NE of West Jonesport     T            Cv(Rv)
                                                      N.B. Inadvertently missed on the over-
                                                      fliiht, and not viewed on aerial photo-
                                                      graphs (,Uhich were missing from the
                                                      files of the Maine Geological Survey on
                                                      each of my visits), this peatland should
                                                      be visited or overflown at low elevation,
                                                      for it may share many of the characters
                                                      of the peatlands nearby in all direc-
                                                      tions, most of which have been recommended
                                                      for evaluation as potential Critical Areas.

                                    Beals             0.1 mile E of Beals Island--      F,A,V        X
                                                      Great Wass Island Bridge
                                                      N.B. This miniscule semi-open peatland
                                                      is probably repeated in kind in numer-
                                                      ous places on northern Great Wass Island.
                                                      It does not contain sufficient features
                                                      of significance to warrant Critical
                                                      Area status.

                                                      0.3 mile SE of Beals Island--     F,A,V        X
                                                      Great Wass Island Bridge
                                                      N.B. This miniscule semi-open peatland
                                                      is probably repeated in kind in numer-
                                                      ous places on northern Great Wass Island.
                                                      It does not contain sufficient features
                                                      of significance to warrant Critical
                                                      Area status.

                                                                                          146
                                             Table 4 (continued)

              Jonesport 71-,'   Jonesport        0.3 mile N of Head Harbor         F,A,T        Rv
                                                 Creek Cove, Head Harbor Island
                                                 N.B. From the air this peatland   appears
                                                 to have many features considered  signifi-
                                                 cant at the sites on nearby Great Wass
                                                 Island that have been recommended for
                                                 evaluation as possible Critical Areas.
                                                 An exceedingly distinctive marginal
                                                 fen borders about three-fourths of the
                                                 raised peatland. The entire west end of
                                                 the peatland is forested, and the central
                                                 open area has scattered tree individuals.
                                                 Scirpus lawns do not appear to be present,
                                                 but Scirpus may be found in the marginal
                                                 fen. The marginal fen, so like those on
                                                 southern Great Wass Island, seems to be
                                                 the principal feature,of significance,
                                                 especially in conjunction with the plateau
                                                 morphology and presence of the coastal
                                                 communities. A visit is very strongly
                                                 recommended..

              Whitneyville
              71@1              Whitneyville     Two tiny peatlands at N edge      A,T          I
                                                 of quadrangle (44*45')

                                Centerville,     0.6 mile W of Whitneyville        F,A,T,V      I
                                Whitneyville
                                Jonesborough

                   it           Centerville      1-.2 miles W.of Whitneyville      F,A,T        I

                                Jonesborough    .2.2 miles SW of Whitneyville,     F,A,T        I
                                                 on township line

                                                 2.1 miles SW of Whitneyville,     F,A,T        I
                                                 bordering railroad of N side

                   it                            2.6 miles SW of Whitneyville,     F,A,T        I
                                                 0.2 mile S of railway

                                     It
                                                 Small peatland 0.5 mile south     F,A,T        I
                                                 of railway, between heights of
                                                 land of 235 and 234 feet

                                                 2.2 miles N of Jonesboro, NE      F,A,T        I
                                                 of Porcupine Ledges, 1.7 miles
                                                 W of Route 1A

                                                 2 miles NNE of Jonesboro, 0.9     F,A,T        I
                                                 mile W of Route 1A

                                                 1.1 miles NE of Jonesboro,        F,A,T        I
                                                 0.6 mile W of Route 1A

                                                                                                  147
                                                   Table 4 (continued)

                   Whitneyville
                   7;j               Jonesborough       0.4 mile E of Rou te 1AY           F,A,T        I
                                                        0.7 mile N of Route  I

                                                        0.7 mile E of Route  1A,           F,A,T        I
                                                        0.2 mile N of Route  I

                                                        0.6 mile E of Route  1A,           F,A,T        I
                                                        0.1 mile N of Route  I

                                                        0.9 mile E of Route  1A,           FYA,T
                                                        0.2 mile N of Route  1

                                                        1.8 miles E of jct.  Route         F,A,T,V
                                                        1A and Route 1, 0.1  mile
                                                        S of Route 1

                                                        0.3 mile SE of Gilman Hill         F,A,T        IV

                   Drisko Island
                   7;11              Addison            Big Nash Island                    A,T,V        x
                                                        N.B. This island has supported    a free
                                                        ranging sheep flock (currently about
                                                        150 sheep) for many years. Plant growth
                                                        is non-woody vigorous, and highly adven-
                                                        tive. Native plant communities are
                                                        totally replaced by grazing maintained
                                                        communities. The wetland area figured
                                                        on the quadrangle does not now show any
                                                        obvious features indicating a peatland
                                                        past.

                   Addison 7k'       Jonesport 4        Between heads of Hay Creek         F,A,T,V,     R
                                                        and Snare Creek                    C'j

                                                        2 miles NNE of Indian River        F,A,T        IV
                                                        community, 0.2 mile E of
                                                        Indian River
                                                        N.B. The boundary between Coastal and
                                                        inland peatland types has not been pre-
                                                        cisely determined in this vicinity.

                                     Addison            1.2 miles NW of Bryant Cnrs.,      F,A,T,V      I
                                                        0.2 mile E of Route 187
                                                        N.B. The site visited was predominantly
                                                        forested, with Tamarack a-prominent -
                                                        element.

                                                        1.1 miles W of Bryant Crns.,       F,A,T        Cv
                                                        E and N of Hill

                                                        0.9 mile-NW of Bryant Cnrs.        F,A,T        Cv

                       is1                              9.9 mile W of Hall Hill            F,A,T        Cv

                                                                                           148
                                              Table 4 (continued)

               Addison 7Y       Addison           1.8 miles W of Hall Hill          F,A,T       CV

                                                  0.2 mile E of road, E of          F,A,T,C     CV
                                                  Reef Point

                                                  1.0 mile E of road, E of          F,A,T       Cv
                                                  Reef Point

                                                  1.5 miles E of road, E of         F,A,T       Cv
                                                  Reef Point

                                                  0.2 mile E of road, ENE of        F,A,T       CV
                                                  Reef Point, near BM 105 ft.

                                                  0.2 mile E of road, E of          F,A,T       Cv
                                                  Three Brooks Cove

                                                  0.7 mile E of road, E of          F,A,T       Cv
                                                  Three Brooks Cove

                                                  0.6 mile S of Three Brooks        Aj          Cv
                                                  Cove

                                                  0.5 mile N of the basin of        Aj          CV
                                                  Long Creek and Mill Creek

                                                  Southeastern end of               Aj          Cv(Rv)
                                                  Crowley Island
                                                  N.B. By virtue of  the geographical
                                                  location of this site, which is very
                                                  similar to the location of peatlands
                                                  at West Jonesport and Jonesport that
                                                  are being recommended for evaluation
                                                  as potential Critical Areas, it may be
                                                  that this site contains significant
                                                  natural features. A visit is recom-
                                                  mended.

              Columbia Falls
                                                  1.1 miles E of Route 187,         Aj          IV
                                                  0.7 mile S of Route I

                               Columbia           In large delta, 2.6 miles         Aj
                               Falls              NE of Columbia Falls;
                                                  three wetlands
                                                  N.B. These wetlands in obvious depres-
                                                  sions in a former marine delta may be
                                                  peatlands. Their character was undeter-
                                                  mined in this study. Their presence in
                                                  such a prominent geomorphological fea-.
                                                  ture makes them especially worthy of
                                                  note.

                                                                                                  149

                                                 Table 4 (continued)

                  Columbia Falls
                  71@1              Columbia         "Marst Heath"                     F,A,T,C     I
                                   Falls             N.B. This large and somewhat complex
                                                     peatland appears to have sufficient
                                                     natural features to receive Critical
                                                     Areas status. The site was not visited
                                                     and hence the presence or absence of
                                                     the coastal species and communities
                                                     could not be confirmed. If they are
                                                     present, the site would be the most in.-
                                                     land of the Coastal Bog type. The over-
                                                     flight revealed the presence of gramin-
                                                     oids in the central region, sometimes
                                                     dense, sometimes diffuse. It could not
                                                     be ascertained if Scirpus was a compo-
                                                     nent. Other features of "Marst Heath"
                                                     include: a clearly raised plateau sur-
                                                     face; trees being restricted only to the
                                                     lagg and very margin of the plateau;
                                                     pools and mud bottoms are absent (or very
                                                     small) on the plateau; there are some
                                                     distinctive ponds at the margins or shoul-
                                                     ders of the peatland; there is some stream
                                                     displacement along one portion of the
                                                     peatland margin; similar with other peat-
                                                     lands of like shape (essentially circular)
                                                     and size (for example, I'M mile S of
                                                     Harrington," I'M mile NW of Corea," and
                                                     0.4 mile S of Huntley Creek, Cutler")
                                                     adjacent io the margin of the principal
                                                     peat mass there are lobes, often more or
                                                     less semi-circular in shape, of open peat-
                                                     land flanked by conifers that lie 2-9 feet
                                                     below the elevation of the plateau, and
                                                     the entire peatland appears in totally
                                                     natural condition.

                                   Centerville       0.4 mile S of Pecky Brook         F,A,T,C     I
                                                     1.1 miles SE of Centerville

                                                     0.3 mile N of Pecky Brook,        F,A,T       I
                                                     1.0 mile E of Centerville

                                                     "Big Heath," 0.8 mile E of        F,A,T,V     X
                                                     Milton Mountain                   J
                                                     N.B.. This peatland has been severely
                                                     altered by past and present mining. The
                                                     native plant communities are essentially
                                                     absent, and the original surface topog-
                                                     raphy has been erased; consequently, this
                                                     peatland cannot be classified. It cer-
                                                     .tainly lacks sufficient natural qualities
                                                     to qualify as a Critical Area.

                                                                                                 150
                                                Table 4 (continued)

               Columbia Falls
               7@1                Centerville       0.8 mile E of Chandler River,       F,A,T         I
                                                    0.2 mile N of Alder Brook

               Bois Bubert 7;1' M:Llbridge          0.4 mile SW of Stover Cove          Aj            Cv

               Harrington 7111         It           .0.5 mile W of Turner Hill          F,A,T         IV

                                  Harrington        0.6 mile S of Harrington            A,T,V,C,      X
                                                                                        D
                                                    N.B. The moderately large peatland was
                                                    mined some time ago. The extent of min-
                                                    ing is not clear, and it is nearly fully
                                                    vegetated at present. The original sur-
                                                    face character was not determined. Were
                                                    the natural character less disturbed, the
                                                    site might qualify for evaluation as a
                                                    proposed Critical Area since it lies at
                                                    or near the boundary of the Coastal and
                                                    Inland peatlands, and since it is suffi-
                                                    ciently large and exposed.to have had a
                                                    full expression of diagnostic peatland
                                                    type. This is one of several peatlands.
                                                    in or near the Coastal region where peat-
                                                    land recovery after disturbance could be
                                                    investigated.
               Petit Manan 7;1' Steuben             Tip of Petit Manan Point            F,A           S
                                                    S and W of Big Pond

                                                    Along Big Pond Stream, W of         F,A,T         Rv
                                                    Wood Pond Cove and Wood Pond
                                                    Point
                                                    N.B. These wetlands are well within the
                                                    Coastal region, although no Coastal
                                                    Raised Bog communities were ascertained
                                                    on the overflight. Fens and vigorous
                                                    dwarf shrub peatlands appear to domi-
                                                    nate. It is possible that the hydrology
                                                    of this system has had significant
                                                    changes in the near and/or distant past,
                                                    related in large part to the bar phe-
                                                    nomenon at Big Pond. It is conceivable
                                                    that the wetlands are, in part at least,
                                                    youthful or relatively youthful. If so,
                                                    they could be an extant example of an
                                                    early phase in Coastal Raised Bog develop-
                                                    ment. The natural conditions of the
                                                    wetlands is excellent, and the site de-
                                                    serves consideration and visitation (per-
                                                    haps within peatland categories including
                                                    dwarf shrub, graminoid fen, and/or stream-
                                                    side). Critical Area status seems very
                                                    likely.

                                                                                                  151
                                            Table 4 (continued)

                  Petit Manan 7V Steuben             0.5 mile SW of Chair Pond         F,A,T       Cv(Rv)
                                                     N.B. The possibility of.this site hav-
                                                     ing sufficient features to merit Critical
                                                     Area status is only moderate. However,
                                                     because of its proximity to other peat-
                                                     lands with the strong potential of having
                                                     qualities worthy of Critical Area status,
                                                     it should be visited along with the
                                                     other peatlands of Petit Manan Point.

                                                     0.7 mile NW of Chair Pond         F,A,T       Rv
                                                     N.B. By virtue of its being close to
                                                     and on the same stream as the larger
                                                     wetlands to the south (the wetlands
                                                     "Along Big Pond stream, W of Wood Pond
                                                     Cove and Wood Pond Point"), this wetland
                                                     should be investigated in conjunction
                                                     with the more extensive system.

                                                     0.5 mile SW of Stanley Cove,      F,A,T       S
                                                     three small peatlands

                                                     0.3 mile S of Stanley Cove,       F,A,T       S
                                                     on shore

                                                     0.4 mile W of Eagle Hill          F,A,T       IV

                                    Gouldsboro       1.1 miles SW of Point Francis     F,A,T       Cv
                                                     N.B. The boundary between Coastal and
                                                     Inland peatland types has not been de-
                                                     termined in this vicinity.

                                                     1.4 miles SW of Point Francis     F,A,T       Cv

                                                     1.0 mile WNW of Newman Cove       F,A,T       Rv
                                                     N.B. This wetland complex of bog, fens,
                                                     and (perhaps) non-peatlands may be
                                                     hydrologically connected with the Corea
                                                     Heath ("0.5 mile NW of Corea"). If so,
                                                     it should definitely be investigated
                                                     further. Even if the hydrological re-
                                                     lationship does not exist, this system
                                                     warrants study, perhaps in a followup
                                                     study of Coastal Bog types, or with dwarf
                                                     shrub and/or fen peatlands. This system
                                                     appears to be larger than figured on the
                                                     quadrangle, and appears hydrologically
                                                     contiguous with wetlands figured separ-
                                                    -ately to its north and southeast.

                                                     1.2 mile W of Newman Cove         F,A,T       Cv

                                                     0.7 mile W of Long Mill Cove      F,A,T       Rv
                                                     N.B. This wetland area should be
                                                     studied as part of the system to its

                                                                                           152
                                             Table 4 (continued)

                                                 northwest ("1.0 mile WNW of Newman
                                                 Cove"), as it appears to be of like
                                                 kind, and is probably hydrologically
                                                 connected.

              Petit Manan 7;1' Gouldsboro        0.2 mile W of Corea Cemetery      F,A,T,V      Rv
                                                 N.B. This   peatland is part of the
                                                 system "1.0 mile WNW of Newman Cove
                                                 ,although it is separated by a road,
                                                 and should be studied with it.

                                             3   0.5 mile NW of Corea              F,A,T,V      R

                                                 0.6 mile SW of Corea.             F,A,T        Rv
                                                 N.B. This peatland is immediately
                                                 adjacent to the sea, although there
                                                 appear to be no sea cut peats or sea
                                                 enhanced marginal slopes. It consists
                                                 of three somewhat connected peat masses.
                                                 that are denoted by water courses (in
                                                 part) that extend from (to?) a lake of
                                                 similar size. The lake appears to be
                                                 dammed by beaver, and its history is un-
                                                 known. No other.peatland in the study
                                                 area so close to the sea is adjacent to,
                                                 and hydrologically part.of, a lake. The
                                                 only current instance of beaver ponding
                                                 at a coastal peatland site is at the
                                                 heath at "0.7 mile SW of Larrabee." The
                                                 relationship to the pond, the proximity
                                                 to the sea,. and the presence of beaver
                                                 are features enough to warrant visita-
                                                 tion and probably recommendations for
                                                 evaluation as a proposed Critical Area.
                                                 Because of these features, one may ex-
                                                 pect unusual plant communities and/or
                                                 species as well.

                                                 Between Youngs Point and          F,A,T,V      C
                                                 Corea Harbor

              Cherryfield 731' Milbridge         1.1 miles SSE of Milbridge        F,A,T        IV

                                                 1.4 miles SW of Milbridge,        A,T,V        X
                                                 N of Route 1
                                                 N.B. This small wetland contains in-
                                                 sufficient features to warrant Critical
                                                 'Area status.

                               Steuben           1.8 miles NW of Milbridge         A,T          IV

                                                 1.2'miles NE of East Stueben,     A,T          IV
                                                 N of Route I
                                                 N.B. Because this peatland may be near
                                                 the Coastal-Inland boundary (whose loca-
                                                 tion has not been precisely determined

                                                                                                   153
                                                   Table 4 (continued)

                                                        in this region), and because of the
                                                        prominent marginal and bisecting streams,
                                                        it is worthy -of inspection at some time;

                   Cherryfield 7@2-' Steuben            1.0 mile E of Steuben,             Aj           IV
                                                        S of Route 1
                                                        N.B. Because this peatland may be near
                                                        the Coastal-Inland boundary (whose loca-
                                                        tion has not been precisely determined
                                                        in this region), and because of the
                                                        prominent bisecting stream, it is worthy
                                                        of inspection at some time.

                                                        Five small peatlands, 1.2,         Aj           IV
                                                        1.3, 2.0, 2.0, and 2.2 miles
                                                        NE of Steuben

                                                        0.9 miles NW of Steuben            Aj           IV
                                                        1.4 miles S of Unionville          A,i,C        IV
                                                        N.B.. Aerial photo interpretation
                                                        suggests this to be dominated by Inland
                                                        dwarf shrub communities. It certainly
                                                        should be studied with its appropriate
                                                        peatland type.

                   Cherryfield 15'   Cherryfield        2.9 miles NE of Cherryfield        Aj           I

                                     T 18 MD, and       The "Great Heath," north of        F,A,T,V      I
                                     Columbia           and along the Pleasant River       C
                                                        N.B.' This massive peatland is one of a
                                                        few large peatlands that lie on a line
                                                        roughly parallel to the coastline, only
                                                        a few miles inland of the Coastal-Inland
                                                        boundary. There is every likelihood that
                                                        this peatland will be found to qualify
                                                        completely for Critical Area status.

                                     T 18 MD, and       2.6 miles NW of Shoodic Lake       F,A,T        I
                                     Deblois

                  Bar Harbor 15'     Gouldsboro,        0.8 mile E of Summer Harbor        F.9A,T       Rv
                                     and Winter         N.B. Overflight. revealed the possi-
                                     Harbor             bility of the coastal  communities, in-
                                                        cluding some central Scirpus growth, at
                                                        this peatland. A visit is needed to con-
                                                        firm these features. If Coastal features
                                                        are present, this peatland would be
                                                        worthy of recommendation for evaluation
                                                        as a potential Critical Area, for it
                                                        is near the southern limit for the Coast-
                                                        al Raised Bog type, it would be signifi-
                                                        cantly "inland" for that type, and would
                                                        document the boundary between the Coastal

                                                                                            154
                                              Table 4 (continued)

                                                  and Inland regions in an area lacking
                                                  such documentation, and which is espe-
                                                  cially important in delineating the whole
                                                  of the Coastal Region.

              Bar Harbor 15'    Winter            Three wetlands, 1.0, 1.3, and      F,A,T        IV
                                Harbor            1.8 miles NE of Winter Harbor
                                                  N.B. The boundary between Coastal and
                                                  Inland peatland types has not been de-
                                                  termined precisely in this area.

                                Gouldsboro        N and NW of Forbes Pond            F,A,T        I
                                                  N.B. These pond and stream margin wet-
                                                  lands are likely peatlands, and should
                                                  be considered with other similar peat-
                                                  -lands in Coastal and Inland regions.
                                                  Forbes Pond is one of the very few
                                                  ponds near the sea along the eastern
                                                  Maine coast, and its extensive wetlands
                                                  are similarly noteworthy. Comparison
                                                  should be made with the "Ackley Pond
                                                  wetlands" in Cutler, a smaller, but
                                                  similar, phenomenon..

                                                  1.1 miles W of Jones Pond,         F,A,T        IV
                                                  SE of Route 186                        1

                                                  "Dingle Meadow Heath," 1.5         F,A,T        I
                                                  miles NE of West Gouldsboro

                                T 7 SD            "Goose Pond Heath"                 F,A,T        I

                                Cranberry         SW corner of Little Cran-          Aj           Rv
                                Isles             berry Island
                                                  N.B. Because this peatland potentially
                                                  is very similar to, although smaller
                                                  than, "The Heath" on Great Cranberry
                                                  Island (a site highly recommended for
                                                  evaluation as a potential Critical Area),
                                                  it may prove to be a Coastal Bog with
                                                  sufficient features for Critical Area
                                                  status. Its proximity to the sea (per-
                                                  haps it is sea cut or the marginal slope
                                                  is sea enhanced), and the presence of
                                                  surface ponds (as figured on the Bar
                                                  Harbor 15'@quadrangle) surely warrant
                                                  verification. A visit is strongly recom-
                                                  mended.

              Tunk Lake 15'                       A flight over several peatlands showed          I
                                                  they are Inland peatland types.

              Swans Island      Southwest     I   "Big Heath," 0.8 mile NW of        A,T,V,D      R
              15'               Harbor            Bennet Cove

                                                                                                155
                                                 Table 4 (continued)

                  Swans Island      Southwest         0.5 mile N of Bennet Cove,         A,T,V       Ic
                  15'               Harbor            N of road
                                                      N.B. This peatland contains vigorous
                                                      leatherleaf shrub growth, and is likely
                                                      a low shrub fen. It should be con-
                                                      sidered with similar peatlands in the
                                                      Coastal and Inland regions.

                                    Cranberry    2    SW quarter of*Great Cran-          A,T,V       R
                                    Isles             berry Isle

                  Mount Desert
                  15'*

                                    Bar Harbor        "Fresh Meadow"                     F,A,T,V     I
                                                      N.B. A wetland complex with few trees,
                                                      cattails and sedges in lower areas and
                                                      adjacent to streams, and a raised peat-
                                                      land densely vegetated with Rhodora.
                                                      The vigorous Rhodora, which cannot
                                                      tolerate ombrotrophic conditions, may
                                                      be able to grow on the raised peats
                                                      partly because the surface was enriched
                                                      during peat mining operations many years
                                                      ago. Also, there are other instances
                                                      where Rhodora is prominent on peatlands
                                                      adjacent to stream systems in both the
                                                      Coastal and Inland regions (cf. the
                                                      peatlands "0.8 mile NE of Enoch Hill"
                                                      in the township of Whiting). This site
                                                      should be considered along with other
                                                      similar peatlands in both regions. A
                                                      large part of this wetland is owned by-
                                                      the Audubon Society.

                                                      "The Heath"                        F A,T,V
                                                      N.B. This peatland, "Fresh Meadow"
                                                      heath, and "Jones Marsh" should be
                                                      visited and compared at some time.
                                                      They are not expected to contain Coast-
                                                      al species or communities.

                                                      "Jones Marsh"                      F,A,T,V
                                                      N.B. A small open peatland with black
                                                      spruce, this site was visited briefly
                                                      very early in the study, and no coastal
                                                      species or communities were noted.

                                                      "Sunken Heath"                     A,T        IV

                                                      "Long Heath"                       A,T        IV

                  *Includes only selected sites on Mount Desert.Island.

                        GENERAL EVALUATION OF COASTAL RAISED PEATLANDS FOR INCLUSION

                                      ON THE REGISTER OF CRITICAL AREAS

                 1. Description of  Coastal Raised Peatlands:

                      Coastal raised peatlands are slightly to much elevated peatlands
                 found within a mile or so of tidewater along the coast of Maine from
                 Mount Desert Island to West Quoddy Head. Ranging in size from less than
                 10 acres to more than 500 acres, they support a characteristic vegetation
                 of the ex'treme oceanic coast. Many peatlands are clearly plateaus, tree-
                 less except at their margins, with dwarf shrub heaths in abundance, often
                 with central lawns.of a-sedge, Scirpus cespitosus. Peat mosses, Sphagnum
                 spp., are abundant throughout. Coastal peatland species, notably baked-
                 apple berry (Rubus chamaemorus) and black crowberry (Empetrum. nigrum)
                 flourish. By morphology and vegetation these peatlands are most similar
                 to coastal plateau peatlands in extreme southwestern New Brunswick,
                 coastal Nova Scotia, and western Newfoundland.

                 2. Considerations In Registration:

                      A. Values and qualities represented by the area (specifically includ-
                 ing any unique or exemplary qualities of the feature).

                      The coastal raised peatlands are a rare peatland type in North America,
                 some ofthe species and communities are nowhere else in the eastern United
                 States so abundant. These peatlands are.habitat for showy and curious plants
                 such as orchids and carnivorous species. Floral aad foliage displays are.
                 most attractive; there are several species with prolific tasty fruits.
                 Because they provide open vistas in a naturally forested landscape, and
                 because they convey an aura of the Arctic, these prominently raised peatlands
                 by the sea have considerable aesthetic appeal. Proximity to and erosion by
                 the sea adds scenic and scientific-significance.

                      B. Probable effects of uncontrolled use (specifically in relation to its
                 intrinsic fragility).

                      The most devastating use is mining, which can obliterate any peatland.
                 Partial mining may be somewhat. less damaging if care is exercised; recovery
                 times appear very long (decades to centuries), however. Human use, as ped-
                 estrians or by vehicles, quickly forms local channels which can disrupt drain-
                 age patterns and surface topography. Heavy visitation can.destroy many sig-
                 nificant features, including pond systems. Construction of roads, buildings,
                 military facilities, etc., locally eliminates the peatlands and can alter
                 drainages over a larger area. Since all nutrients the plants of the ombro-

                                                    156

                                                                                             157

                     trophic peatlands receive come from the air these peatlands are exceptionally
                     susceptible to any aerial pollution. Use of the peatlands.as landfills or
                     dumps seriously alters water chemistry. Infrequent natural fires occur, but
                     repeated burnings to enhance blueberries or deer hunting can alter natural
                     communities for lengthy periods of time.

                          C. Present and probable future use (specifically present and future
                     threats of destruction).                                      I

                          Interest in mining is very active, locally, at the state, national,
                     and internati'onal levels. Complete removal of many of the larger peat-
                     lands is proposed. Aesthetic, educational, scientific, and management uses
                     are increasing rap-idly; several sites may soon be "over-visited."
                     Rising populations will continue to bring dwellings and roads to the
                     margins of the peatlands, increasing use, pollution, and fire. Berry
                     picking may soon increase. Aerial pollutants.from increased industrial-
                     ization may have serious effects generally, as well as near refineries,
                     power plants, etc.

                          D. Level of Significance.

                          The coastal raised peatlands recommended in this report are of local
                     significance because of their openness, their berries and wildlife, and
                     their economic potential as peat deposits. As the only peatlands of their
                     type in the United States, they are of state and national significance.
                     Because they include the southwesternmost coastal plateau peatlands, have
                     marine erosion, are adjacent to Shrub Slope peatlands, and have an example
                     of contiguous plateaus, they are of continental and global significance.

                          E. Probable effects of registration - positive and negative (specifically
                     including the economicimplications of inclusion of the area on the register).

                          The expected positive effect of registration will be to give official
                     recognition to the most significant of the Coastal Raised Peatlands of Maine.
                     Landowners will become informed of the importance of these peatlands and the
                     means whereby their natural features can be protected. Registration will
                     encourage monitoring of the peatlands and will encourage their conservation.
                     Registration will draw attention throughout the United States th-at there are
                     numerous kinds of peatlands, and that Maine has several types unique to it.

                          The expected negative effect of registration would be the conflicts
                     raised with mining interests and the increased visitor use generated by the
                     publicity caused by the registration process. The mining concerns will likely
                     be on a site-by-site basis, for not all peatlands are equally economically
                     attractive. Increased visitor use is more dilute, subtle, and potentially
                     very damaging in the long run since the effects are less obvious than mining.
                     and spread out over many years.

                                                                                             158

                      F. Management Sug@estions-

                      1. Guidelines for landowners outlining ways to minimize visitor
                 damage should be prepared and circulated.

                      2.  At heavily visited sites elevated boardwalks, overlooks, towers,
                 or other vistas need to be built to reducevisitor damage.

                      3.  Mining practices should inclUde protection of unmined peatland
                 adjacent to, within, or beneath the mine.site, bonds for restoration of natural
                 drainage and topography (as closely as possible) at the close of mining in
                 order to speed recovery of the site, and selection of mining sites based upon
                 natural as well as economic values.

                      4.  Highly vulnerable features, such as the ponds of Big Heath in
                 Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, and the peat cliff and ponds at
                 Carrying Place Cove Bog need immediate protection.

                      5. Sources of water that feed the peatlands,   and the major drainage
                 ways from the peatlands, should be determined so that the hydrology of the
                 peatlands can be protected from either disturbance in the watershed or alter-
                 ation of the drainage.

                 3. Conclusions and Recommendations:

                      A. Conformance with definiton contained in the Act.

                      The Act defines a critical area as meaning: "areas containing or pot-
                 entially containing plant and animal life or geological features worthy of
                 preservation in their natural condition, or other natural features of sig-
                 nificant scenic, scientific, or historical value."

                      The peatlands recommended for evaluation in this report are the result
                 of an intensive survey of the peatlands of the Coastal Raised Peatlands of
                 the Coastal Raised Peatland.Region of Maine. Each of the peatlands has its
                 own unique scenic and scientific attributes of state or wider significance
                 which can be destroyed by uncontrolled or other use.. The sites contain peat
                 deposits, scenic vistas, and other qualities linked to the State's economy.
                 The 19 recommended peatlands can thus be considered critical areas under the
                 legislated definition.

                      B..Conformance with the Guidelines for the Registration of Critical Areas,
                 adopted by the Critical Areas Advisory Board on September 11. 1975.

                      Section 1. Knowledge of the Area: This reportCoastal Raised Peatlands
                 in Maine and Their Relevance to.the Critical Areas Program of the State
                 Planning Office was prepared for the Critical Areas Program in order to pro-
                 vide detailed documentation about the ecologic and scenic significance of
                 coastal raised peatlands in Maine.

                                                                                            159

                          Section 2. Representation on the Register: Coastal Raised Peatlands
                     are not included on the Register of Critical Areas at this time.

                          Section 3. Variety of Values: The recommended peatlands have a
                     variety of values. They have geologic, geomorphic, and hydrologic sig-
                     nificance as part of the earth's surface; they support rare plants and
                     communities; they contain a unique ecology; they document past climates,
                     biota, and land/sea relationships; they are important scenic.and natural
                     areas; they are of local importance for berry crops; and some sites are
                     of historic significance in the deployment of military facilities and
                     local mining.

                          Section 4@ Scarcity: Each site recommended in this report is unique
                     in at least one important respect. Most sites have several unique features
                     of importance.

                          Section 5. Quality: The peatlands recommended in this report have
                     been selected to be exceptional examples of the features which they con-
                     tain. Fully 70% of the peatlands in the Coastal  'Region have been rejected
                     from further consideration, and only 19 of the 53 other peatlands are
                     recommended by this report for evaluation.as potential Critical Areas.

                          Section 6. Persistence: These peatlands are 7000 to 9000+ years old,
                     having begun their existence shortly after the emergence of the land from
                     the sea at the close of the Pleistocene. The long term prospects for the
                     continued existence of the peatlands is exceptionally promising if they
                     remain unaltered by mankind.

                          Section.7. Geographic Distribution: Both the literature search and
                     field work phases of this study were used to determine the extent of coastal
                     raised peatlands in Maine. The sites recommended for evaluation come from
                     throughout the coastal raised peatland region.

                          Section 8. Use: The coastal raised peatlands have exceptional potent-
                     ial for scientific, natural history, and educational use, and offer opport-
                     unity for passive recreation.

                          Section 9. Manageability: All peatlands recommended for registry can
                     be managed easily to perpetuate their described features.

                          Section 10. Potential Economic Effects: Landowners favoring the main-
                     tenance ofthe peatlands in a natural state will find little or no economic
                     effect because of registration. There may be economic implication for
                     some landownerg because of the potential for peat mining.

                          Section 11. Potential Effect of the Conservation-of the Areas:
                     Registration is expected to have a very positive effect on the conservation
                     of Maine's coastal raised peatlands.

                                               RECOMMENDATIONS

                      1. The exceptional coastal raised peatlands "recommended in Table 2 should
                 be evaluated for inclusion in the Register of Critical Areas.

                      2. The 18 coastal raised peatlands classified as "Rv" in Table 4
                               1 t'       0                                  luation as Pot-
                 and discussed in he section, OSites Likely Suitable for Eva
                 ential Critical Areas" should be field checked and'evaluated for inclusion
                 in the Register of Critical Areas.

                      3. The Shrub Slope peatlands should be field checked and evaluated
                 for inclusion in the Register of Critical Areas. Due to their limited
                 number this could be accomplished without extensive resource allocation.

                      4. The various peatlands classified as "Ic" in Table 4 (peatlands
                 not coastal raised peatlands, more like peatlands found elsewhere in
                 Maine) should be studied according to their peatland type when that peat-
                 land type is the subject of Critical Areas Program enquiry.

                      5. The high use peatlands recommended for evaluation, notably Big
                 Heath, the peatlands of Great Wass Island,.and Carrying Place Cove Bog,
                 should have management plans devised and implemented as quickly as possible
                 to prevent further disturbance from uncontrolled use. Similar plans are
                 recommended for highly visible and accessible sites such as Corea Heath,
                 West Jonesport Heath, Kelley Point Peatland Complex, and Kelley Heath.
                      @. Additional field-investigation should-be undertaken to verify
                 the significant natural portions of the Jonesport Heath.

                      7. Landowners of lands adjacent to  peatlaads,.md their watersheds,
                 recommended for evaluation should beancouraged to not significantly alter,
                 waters that affect the peatlands.
                      8. Research on the susceptibility to disturbances and the mode and
                 rate of recovery from disturbances should be initiated as these topics are
                 virtually unknown for the coastal raised peatlands. The results of these
                 studies should lead to management practices.

                                                 160

                                                                                             I

                                                                                                I

                                                                     I

                                                     GLOSSARY

                        This glossary provides brief descriptions of terms as used in this
                  report; it does not attempt to enumerate additional uses of the terms as
                  employed elsewhere.

                  amphi-Atlantic: both sides of the Atlantic

                  association:   a taxonomic subdivision of Order in the Zigrich-montpellier
                      vegetation classification system based upon physiognomy and floristic
                      composition; e.-g., the Kalmio-Sphagnetum fusci includes dwarf shrub
                      heath vegetation with Kalmia angustifolia and Sphagnum.fuscum as impor-
                      tant constituents (c-.    amman 1977).

                  ba.6a7I--:--b_ottom; the bottommost peats of a peatland (basal peats), or the
                  @,,-:.Pineralmaterials immediately below those peats (basal substrate).

                  basin@- a depression in the landscape

                  bay:   an open.peatland considerably smaller than, contiguous with, and having
                      a lower surface elevation than a raised peatland

                  bog:  commonly used, especially by general public, for all peatlands, most
                      particularly those with  'Sphagnum and subdued, low, or absent woody cover;
                      more specifically employed solely for ombrogenic. peatlands (which includes
                      nearly all peatlands with which this report is concerned)

                  class: the highest taxon of the ZiYrich-Montpellier vegetation classification
                      system (based upon floristic affinities) used here; e.g., the Oxycocco
                      Sphagnetea includes all the plant communities of ombrotrophic and oligo-
                      trophic, primarily organic, soils with the exception of mud bottom and
                      Sphagnum covered hollow vegetation (c.f. Damman 1979a).

                  coastal: by the sea; usually infers near the sea with some effect by the
                      sea; applied differently depending upon the geographic scale of interest

                  coastal region: that portion of eastern Maine and adjacent New Brunswick
                      along the Gulf of Maine and Bay of Fundy that contains open plateau bogs
                      with steep marginal slopes and central lawns, minerotrophic species on
                      ombrotrophic peats, and communities with prominent Sphagnum fuscum,
                      Empetrum nigrum, and Rubus chamaemorus; commonly used only in reference
                      to Maine

                                                       161

                     community: an assemblage of plants recognized by species composition and
                        relative abundance; typically the same community appears in different
                        places (e.g ..3. in numerous different peatlands); in the Zigrich-Montpellier
                        vegetation classification system the lowest taxon used here, for example
                        the-Scirpus-Sphagnum fuscum lawn community

                     concentric pattern: alternating topo  graphic and/or vegetation features of
                        a peatland that are more-or-less parallel and encircle, at least in part,
                        the central region of the peatland

                     concentric zonation: the placement of the major plant communities of a
                        peatland in bands (zones, rings, etc.) around the central region of the
                        peatland generally parallel to the margin, regardless of the overall
                        shape of the peatland (the term eccentric is reserved for zonation much
                        more distorted than occurs in the study area)

                     domed peatland: a convex raised peatland that rises from all directions
                        to a central high area

                     downstream: the portion of a peatland generally closest to a drainage way,
                        commonly the lowest portion of the lagg; when overall a peatland slopes,
                        then the lowest margins are the downstream side

                     drainage way: a narrowed area of wetland (frequently peatland) that leads
                        away from a peatland unit, and through which water obviously drains from
                        the peatland; commonly with minor stream channels and perceptible water
                        flow

                     dwarf shrub: synonymous with low shrub

                     elevation: with reference to raised peatlands the height of the vegetated
                        peat surface; when considering entire peatlands the average distance above
                        sea level of the peatland surface

                     ericaceous: belonging to the plant family Ericaceae (the blueberries,
                        huckleberries, cra nberries, rhododendron., laurels, etc.); usually refers
                        to shrub lands of low shrubs that mostly belong to the Ericaceae

                     evapotranspiration:. the combination of water loss from an ecosystem to the
                        atmosphere through evaporation and transpiration

                     extreme maritime: with reference to location-within a few hundred meters
                        of the sea; with reference to climate-having much sea-fog, frequent sea
                        breezes, vigorous winds during coastal storms, direct salt spray at least
                        during large storms, etc.

                     fen: peatland that receives mineral ground water input4, vegetation varies
                        greatly

                     graminoid: grasslike; graminoid vegetation is composed of narrow-leaved
                        gras.ses, sedges, rushes, or similar plants

                     ground water: water in upper and lower layers of the landscape, including
                        soil water and deeper waters

                                                        162@

                 heath: a term used in portions of New England (Washington County, Maine
                    through southern Maine to portions of adjacent New Hampshire) for peat-
                    lands, especially open peatlands; in much of the range of the use of
                    the term it is restricted for raised peatlands, particularly those not
                    more than a few miles from the coast; the term clearly stems from the
                    British use of "heath" for terrain dominated by ericaceous, or related,
                    shrubs. Heath also may mean an ericaceous low shrub dominated ecosystem,
                    or only the shrubs of that ecosystem; or it may refer to the individual
                    shrub species or the individual shrub plants.

                 height; the highest region of a raised peatland

                 histosol: U.S. Soil Conservation Service term for organic soil

                 hollow: a low area of vegetated or bare peat varying in size from less than
                    four inches in depth to six feet or more, in breadth from eight inches or
                    so to many feet, in morphology from conical, hemispherical or bowl-shaped
                    to flat or curved-bottomed basins with shallow, steep or over-hung sides,
                    in shape from circular to oblong or highly elongated, with simple, highly
                    lobed or irregular margins; hollows may occur as discrete individuals,
                    or be variously interconnected and anastomosed; the areas between hollows
                    are commonly called hummocks; wet depressions, mud bottom sites, pools,
                    and ponds are specialized hollows

                 hollowless plain: plains  of Sphagnum. essentially of hummock structure, but
                    with considerable lateral development; the adjective "hollowless" is used
                    to highlight the hummock structure and the absence of hollows and their
                    vegetation

                 hummock: a rise of usually vegetated peat varying in size from less than
                    four inches in height to six feet or more, in breadth from eight inches
                    or so to many feet, in morphology from conical and hemispherical to butte
                    or mesa, and in shape from circular to highly elongated, with margins
                    smooth to highly irregular; hummocks may stand free as individuals, or
                    be variously interconnected and anastomosed; the areas between hummocks
                    are commonly called hollows

                 hydrology: with peatlands refers to all aspects of water that affect growth
                    and development of a peatland; most particularly precipitation and ground,
                    soil, and surface waters, their physical, chemical, geographical (i.e.,
                    location), and temporal character

                @inland: away from the coast; absolute distance from the coast depends upon
                    geographic scale of interest; also specifically used here for peatlands
                    without coastal morphology or communities

                 ladder-form: alignment of ponds, wet depressions or elongated hollows on
                    a peatlarid surface'resembling the rungs of a ladder; i.e., elongated
                    features in parallel formation

                 lagg: the marginal area of a peatland that is evidently affected, both
                    topographically and vegetationally, by mineral ground water; can vary

                        from a few feet to a few hundred feet in width, with or without open
                        water, streams, and/or ponds, and with various vegetation; for nearly
                        all peatlands, whether primary, secondary, or tertiary laggs are
                        slightly to much lower than the adjacent peatland

                     lawn: low sedge (esp. Scirpus cespitosus) dominated communities of ombro-
                        genic peatlands

                     low shrub: woody plant less than about 53 in (135 cm) tall, may be less
                        than 4 in (10 cm) tall; intended for use with ericaceous and other shrubs
                        of open peatlands, whose heights commonly are less than 31 in (80 cm) .

                     margin: the edge or fringe of a peatland at which point topographic, vege-
                        tation, and/or hydrologic changes due to the proximity of adjacent upland
                        or aquatic terrain becomes evident

                     maritime: of the sea; usually infers affected by the sea, as in maritime
                        climate; applied differently depending upon the geographical.scale of
                        interest

                     marsh: used loosely for graminoid dominated wetlands

                     meadow: used loosely for open grassy areas

                     mine: a portion of a peatland that has had removal of peat by human activity,
                        especially for agricultural, horticultural, bedding, fuel, or industrial
                        purposes; also used to include facilities, roadways, etc., necessary for
                        the peat removal

                     mineral ground water:. synonymous with ground water; term simply highlights'
                        that the water contains more minerals than does precipitation

                     minerotrophic: a plant community, ecosystem, etc., that has or requires
                        water with nutrients other than those supplied by precipitation and fallout

                     moat: sometimes used synonymously with lagg; sometimes refers to the portion
                        of a lagg with standing or flowing water

                     morphology: in reference to pearlands the three-dimensional shape of the
                        surface of the peatland, such as plateau, domed, flat, etc.

                     mud bottom: wet low areas of peatlands having exposed (muddy) peat amid
                        scattered or loosely growing low plants

                     nutrient-poor: limited supply of plant nutrients; usually applied to hydo-
                        logic situations when atmospherically supplied nutrients are supplemented
                        by just enough ground water nutrients to cause a perceptible change in
                        species composition

                     nutrient-rich.-@ relatively abundant supply of plant nutrients

                     offset.plateau, offset dome: condition when the highest elevation of a raised
                        plateau or dome peatland is not central but nearer one margin of the peat-
                        land

                  oligotrophic; used in reference to primary peatlands in basins whose
                     vegetation receives exceedingly nutrient-poor water, essentially all
                     of which is provided by rainfall

                  ombrogenic: formed as part of an ombrotrophic peatland; often used to
                     indicate that a slightly minerotrophic portion of a peatland is, in
                     fact, of ombrotrophic origin

                  ombrotrophic: "food from the sky"; a plant, community, ecosystem, etc
                     that has or receives nutrients solely from precipitation and fallout

                  open: essentially treeless

                  order: the first taxonomic subdivision of Class in the Zi7rich-Montpellier
                     vegetation classification system; e.g., the Sphagnetalia fusci includes
                     hummock vegetation of ombrotro@hic bogs and of the highest ridges in
                     certain northern fens (see lengthy discussion on this order by D         n
                     1979a)

                  organic soil: according to the U.S.     Soil Conservation Service organic   soil
                     materials have at least 12% (if no clay present) to 18% (if clay is      60%
                     or more of universal fraction) organic carbon.if soil is saturated for
                     long periods, or with 20% or more regardless of saturation; an organic
                     soil has (a) more than half of the upper 32 in. of soil materials organic,
                   ...or (b)-organic soil-ma-terial.s resting on.rock or fragmented material with
                     interstices filled with crganic materials

                  paludification: to become wet or waterlogged; landscape formerly upland
                     becomes peatland by upward and lateral growth of a tertiary peatland;, i.e.,
                     through paludification                                                   I

                  pattern: the regular alternation of peatland topographic and/or vegetation
                     features at a scale perceivable as one walks through the peatland or flies
                     over at low elevations

                  peat: partially decomposed organic matter usually found as natural shallow
                     or deep deposits; encompasses "peat" and "muck" designations formerly used
                     by U.S. Soil Conservation Service as well as wetland Histosols (organic
                     soils) of their present classification scheme; includes all materials con-
                     sidered peat by U.S. Federal Trade Commission, U.S. Bureau of Mines, and
                     American Society for Testing Materials; legal definitions of peat are
                     based primarily on measurements of ash or organic carbon content

                  peat deposit: the peat of a peatland, whether primary, secondary, or tertiary

                  peatland: a three-dimensional portion of the landscape that is a wetland
                     and has a peat substrate; includes the biota, the peat, and all surface
                     and internal waters

                  plain: the "bog plain" is the region of a raised peatland that is most level;
                     it lies central to the bog slope. "Sphagnum plains" are local regions of
                     the peat surface where Sphagnum (primarily S. fuscum) forms an essentially
                     level or slightly undulating firm carpet devoid of hummocks or hollows

                                                       165

                    plateau peatldnd: a morphologic form of raised peatland with fairly steep
                        marginal slopes and relatively flat upper surfaces; most plateaus are
                        actually slightly convex, but not clearly domed

                    pond: used here to refer to permanent, usually rather small (largest dimen-
                        sion from less than two feet to a few hundreds of feet) water bodies on
                        the surfaces of peatlands; ponds may have no standing water during some
                        droughts, but do not have continuous vascular plant and Sphagnum. plant
                        cover (as might ephemeral pools or wet depressio ns); occasionally used
                        for any body of predominantly open, shallow water

                    pond system: a series, group, ensemble, etc., of ponds on the surface of
                        a peatland that are interrelated by location, form, and hydrology

                    pool: usually used synonymously with pond; occasionally distinguished from
                        pond by restricting the term for ephemeral or seasonal, small water bodies
                        on the surfaces of peatlands

                    primary: peats or peatland formed or forming in a basin in such a way that
                        the water level in the basin is not raised except perhaps locally in
                        hummocks

                    raised peatland: peatlands where the accumulation of peat, and hence the
                        growing surface, is elevated above the regional water table; commonly the
                        peats are elevated above the adjacent mineral-or aquatic landscape as well

                    ridge: an elongated rise of vegetated peat (hummock), varying in height from
                        four inches to six feet, in length from a few.feet to hundreds of feet, and
                        in breadth from one to a few tens of feet; commonly the long axis of the
                        ridge lies perpendicular to the slope of the bog

                    secondary: peats or peatland formed or forming above (and usually somewhat
                        laterally beyond former limits) the former water level, but not beyond
                        the confines of mineral topography; i.e., secondary peatlands are capable
                        of elevating water tables, but not beyond topographic basins

                    shoulder: the portion of a raised peatland, especially a plateau peatland,
                        where the bog plain changes to the bog slope; occasionally used for places
                        where the bog slope abruptly becomes steeper
                           I

                    site: commonly used to mean a single peatland

                    slope: an area of peatland whose generalized surface (L.e., as if hummocks
                        and hollows were smoothed out) is not level, but slopes; in many cases
                        distinctive portions of the slope can be distinguished by steepness and
                        vegetation

                    soak: a portion of an ombrogenic peatland considerably wetter than its
                        surroundings, usually elongated with some perceptible water flowage

                    sociation: a group of plants commonly found together; essentially the same
                        as community in the Wrich-Montpellier system

                                                     166

                  soil water: water in the upper layers of the landscape, especially the soil

                  string-of-beads: an alignment of pools or ponds on a peatland surface re-
                     sembling a string of beads, usually several small or miniature, roundish
                     ponds connected by a narrow channel in the middle of a marginal fen, lagg,
                     or drainage way-

                  tertiary: peats or peatland formed or forming above and/or laterally beyond
                     former water levels without the aid of confining topography; tertiary
                     peatlands are raised peatlands and receive their water and nutrients
                     solely from the atmosphere (i.e., they are ombrotrophic), their internal
                     and surface waters are commonly perched above (and sometimes separated
                     from) the regional water table

                  thicket: used for shrublands five feet tall or more; i.e., shrublands through
                     which passage is difficult

                  topography: the three-dimensional shape of the surface of the landscape,
                     peatland, local portion of peatland, etc.

                  unit: an individual peatland; or, notably in the case of the Jonesport Heath,
                     an individual plateau among two or more contiguous or slightly coalesced
                     raised peatlands

                  upstream: the portion of a peatland generally farthest froma drainage way,
                     commonly the highest portion of the lagg; when overall a peatland slopes,
                     then the upper margins are its upstream side

                  vegetation unit: a physiognomic grouping of communities within an associa-
                     tion in the Z16rich-Montpellier vegetation classification system; e.g.,
                     the Dwarf Shrub Heaths, Lawnsand Carpets, and Mud Bottoms of raised bogs

                  von Post: a 10-point system denoting the degree of peat decomposition; I
                     is the least decomposed, 10 is the most decomposed

                  water track: an area of minerotrophic, water that flows through an ombro-
                     genic peatland, denoted by more minerotrophic species

                  wet depression: a lower area of open, vegetated peatland surface, commonly
                     elongated, varying.in depth from four inches to four feet and in breadth
                     from 8 inches to many tens of feet; the long axis,. if one, generally lies
                     at right angles to the slope of the bog

                                                   167

                                                LITERATURE CITED

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                                                                                            171

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                                                                                                 174

                                                  Action Plan

                  On January 1.6, 1981, the Critical Areas Advisory Board and the State
                  Planning Office decided to implement the following actions:

                  1.    The following peatlands will be evaluated for inclusion.on the
                        Register of Critical Areas.

                             Carrying Place Cove Bog
                             Kelley Point Reatland Complex
                             North Unit, Jonesport Heath-
                             Corea Heath
                             North Cutler Heaths
                             Kelley Heath, Cutler
                             Great Cranberry Isle Heath
                             Central Peatlands, Great Wass Island
                             Southwest Heath, Great Wa.ss Island
                             Big Heath, Mt. Desert Island
                             West Jonesport Heath

                        The Critical' Areas Program will contact the  landowners of the
                        following peatlands:

                             Heath,,1.9 miles W of North Cutler
                             Boot Cove Heath
                             Larrabee Heath
                             South Trescott Heath
                             Moose River Heath
                             Great Cove Heath, Roque Bluffs
                             West Quoddy Head Heath

                  3.    When funding resources allow, the program shall field check the
                        19 coastal raised peatlands classified as "Rv" in Table 4 shall
                        be field checked and evaluated for inclusion in the Register of
                        Critical Areas.

                  4.    When funding resources allow, the program shall investigate the
                        subject of shrub slope peatlands.

                        The peatlands classi.fied.as "Ic" in Table 4 shall be evaluated
                        at a later date, when further peatland inventory work is under-
                        taken by the Critical Areas Program.

                  .6.   The Critical Areas Program shall work closely with landowners of
                        the peatlands which are registered to encourage wise management
                        of the areas.

                  @7.@  It if becomes apparent to the Critical Areas Program that waters
                        entering a registered peatland are being significantly altered,
                        the landowners of the watershed shall be advised of the impact of
                        these alterations upon the critical area.

                                                                                                   175

                      8.   The Critical Areas Program shall encourage research by other agencies
                           and individuals investigating the susceptibility of peatlands to
                           va'rious disturbances, and modes and rates of recovery from these.

                                                                                                               DATE DUE

                                                                                           GAYLORD     No. 2333                              PRINTED IN U.S.A.

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