An extensive subfossil deposit of the arctic moss Aplodon wormskioldii

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Botany
• Main Authors: Brassard, Guy R., Blake Jr., Weston
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1978
• Subjects: Plant Science; Arctic; Greenland
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/b78-224; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/b78-224

A 2.6-m-thick subfossil peat deposit, composed entirely of the arctic moss Aplodon wormskioldii, is described from the Carey Islands, northwestern Greenland (76°44′ N, 73°13′ W). Radiocarbon dates indicate that the peat began forming approximately 6500 years ago and stopped forming some 4500 to 4000 years ago; thus, its growth coincided with the postglacial warm period (Hypsithermal interval). The present-day habitat of A. wormskioldii, on dung or otherwise enriched substrates, is difficult to reconcile with its persistence and abundance at a specific site in the high arctic for over two millenia.