Microtopography of subalpine mires in the Krkonoše Mountains, the Sudetes

Long-term observation suggests that biotic decomposition of necromass effectively counteracts the processes of peat accumulation in mire complexes consisting of bog and fen components. Both aerial photography and ground surveying from the period 1936 to 1989 indicate that, over six decades, changes in the string-and-flark microtopography, and the size and outline of mire pools have been only insignificant. A hypothesis is presented that, on sloping mires, extension of the flarks along contour lines is affected by small differences in saturation/desiccation regime of the microhabitats at variously orientated banks. Intermittent flooding and drying differentiates the rates of (1) biomass primary production, (2) accumulation of organic sediment, and (3) biotic decomposition.