The Mer Bleue Conservation area is a sphagnum bog near Ottawa Ontario, Canada with acidic water. Black spruce, tamarack, bog rosemary, blueberry, and cottongrass make up the majority of plants in this highly unique environment.
Beavers, birds, snakes, and frogs are abundant as well. The rare Spotted turtle also makes its home among the stunted growth evergreens. Canada geese frequent the grassy area on its margins and you can hear them flying in and out regularly.
Sphagnum moss grows in this boreal-like environment, called taiga in Europe, and creates dark tannin stained water. The pH is acidic and the sphagnum moss surrounds the black spruce forest and the open heath vegetation. It is quite different than most habitat I have seen. Living in the Pacific Northwest there are areas with a lot of moss but this IS moss.
In fact, there have been many bodies found in sphagnum bogs that are well preserved. Some even preserving the facial expressions. Some believe that sacrifices were placed in bogs around the world or buried because they were thought to be a sacred place. The acidic conditions preserve clothing and tissue, as the sphagnum acts as an antibacterial. Sphagnum moss not only makes great substrates for growing some plants but it also has healing properties and was used in WWI to treat wounds.
If you get a chance to check out the Mer Bleue Conservation area do it! It is one of those places that isn’t like any other place you will likely see.