The Western Boreal Plain (WBP) comprises a diverse array of wetland types; however, swamps are understudied in the WBP relative to other wetlands, despite their ubiquity. We apply an ecohydrological and GIS-based research approach at a fen–swamp complex in the WBP to characterize the ecohydrological properties of the varying wetland types and relate these interactions to the hydrologic function of the watershed. In this study, we evaluate 3 years of hydrological monitoring data, with additional hydrochemical, vegetation and remote sensing data. In our analyses, we identified five land types: fen, flat peat swamp and peat margin swamp (peatlands), mineral swamp and upland. Flat peat swamp was distinguished from fen using Ducks Unlimited criteria, stating fens cannot have trees >10 m in height. Little difference in water table variability, groundwater connectivity, vegetation composition and water chemistry were found between flat peat swamp and fen, suggesting that for all practical purposes, they can be considered a single unit and tree height alone cannot be used to differentiate these peatland types. In contrast, peat margin swamps exhibited lower and more variable water tables and consistent downward hydraulic gradients and comprised a mixture of peatland and upland vegetation. Peat margin swamps, however, exhibited similar porewater pH, electrical conductivity and base cation concentrations as upland, flat peat swamp and fen, suggesting that they are well connected hydrologically. Peat margin swamps were also found to modulate subsurface water movement between fen and upland (via reduced transmissivity from lower water tables) and therefore act as distinct ecohydrological units.

中文翻译：

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加拿大艾伯塔省北方沼泽沼泽群中的生态水文相互作用

西部北方平原 (WBP) 包括多种湿地类型；然而，与其他湿地相比，WBP 中对沼泽的研究不足，尽管它们无处不在。我们在 WBP 的沼泽沼泽综合体中应用了基于生态水文和 GIS 的研究方法，以表征不同湿地类型的生态水文特性，并将这些相互作用与流域的水文功能联系起来。在这项研究中，我们评估了 3 年的水文监测数据，以及额外的水化学、植被和遥感数据。在我们的分析中，我们确定了五种土地类型：沼泽、平坦泥炭沼泽和泥炭边缘沼泽（泥炭地）、矿物沼泽和高地。使用 Ducks Unlimited 标准将平坦的泥炭沼泽与沼泽区分开来，指出沼泽地的树木高度不能超过 10 m。地下水位变异性差异不大，在平坦的泥炭沼泽和沼泽之间发现了地下​​水连通性、植被组成和水化学，这表明就所有实际目的而言，它们可以被视为一个单一的单位，而仅凭树高不能用来区分这些泥炭地类型。相比之下，泥炭边缘沼泽表现出更低且更易变化的地下水位和一致的向下水力梯度，并且由泥炭地和高地植被组成。然而，泥炭边缘沼泽表现出与高地、平坦泥炭沼泽和沼泽相似的孔隙水 pH 值、电导率和碱阳离子浓度，表明它们在水文上有很好的联系。