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Fens 

FenFens are also peatlands however fens receive their water supply mainly from groundwater. Therefore, the water in fens is less acidic and contains more nutrients than bog water. The water table is usually at or above the ground. Although the dominant plants are sedges, grasses and brown mosses, flowers such as irises are also present. Though some fens may look like open fields of sedges or grasses, others have a dense covering of Black Spruce and Tamarack (Larch), as well as some shrubs. Often it is difficult to visually distinguish between bogs and fens. An understanding of the water source and water chemistry is sometimes needed to make the distinction.

Reprinted from Focus On Wetlands  (1994) with permission of Alberta Environment.

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