Effects of water table depth and fluctuations on Sphagnum palustre growth and plant community succession in subtropical mountainous Sphagnum peatlands: insights from a microcosm experiment

Key Points

• Sphagnum palustre growth significantly depends on water table depth and fluctuations, indicating sensitivity to moisture conditions.
• In controlled microcosm experiments, variations in water table led to observable changes in plant community dynamics over time.
• Observational analysis using microcosm experiments assesses the relationship between water conditions and plant succession in peatlands.
• Understanding these effects is crucial for peatland management, particularly in the context of climate change.