Peatland invertebrates

Abstract

This chapter reviews invertebrate ecological research in major peatland areas of Europe, Canada, the United States, and China. The terrestrial invertebrate fauna has been shown to be especially diverse, and numerous taxa appear to be valuable environmental indicators. However, the ecological and functional roles of terrestrial invertebrates remain poorly known, and this kind of knowledge is sorely needed to understand how these organisms affect peatland ecosystems and why this fauna has tangible value for peatland bioassessment. Even less is known about the aquatic fauna. Basic inventories are lacking, the functional importance of the aquatic fauna to ecosystem processes remains essentially unknown, and their value, if any, to bioassessment is still largely undeveloped.