Editing Bog (section)

== Definition ==
Like all wetlands, it is difficult to rigidly define bogs for a number of reasons, including variations between bogs, the in-between nature of wetlands as an intermediate between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and varying definitions between wetland classification systems.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Mitsch |first=William J.|title=Wetlands|date=2007|publisher=Wiley|others=James G. Gosselink |isbn=978-0-471-69967-5|edition=4th|location=Hoboken, N.J.|oclc=78893363}}</ref><ref name="keddy 2010">{{Cite book |last=Keddy |first=Paul A. |title=Wetland ecology: principles and conservation |date=2010 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-139-22365-2 |edition=2nd |location=Cambridge |oclc=801405617}}</ref> However, there are characteristics common to all bogs that provide a broad definition:<ref name=":0" />

# Peat is present, usually thicker than {{Convert|30|cm}}.
# The wetland receives most of its water and nutrients from precipitation ([[ombrotrophic]]) rather than surface or groundwater ([[minerotrophic]]).
# The wetland is nutrient-poor ([[Trophic state index|oligotrophic]]).
# The wetland is strongly acidic (bogs near coastal areas may be less acidic due to [[sea spray]]).

Because all bogs have peat, they are a type of peatland. As a peat-producing ecosystem, they are also classified as [[mire]]s, along with fens. Bogs differ from fens, in that fens receive water and nutrients from mineral-rich surface or groundwater, while bogs receive water and nutrients from precipitation.<ref name=":0" /> Because fens are supplied with mineral-rich water, they tend to range from slightly acidic to slightly basic, while bogs are always acidic because precipitation lacks the dissolved minerals (e.g. [[calcium]], [[magnesium]], [[carbonate]]) that act to buffer the natural acidity of atmospheric [[carbon dioxide]].<ref name=":0" /> Geography and geology both impact the hydrology: as groundwater mineral content reflects the bedrock geology, there can be great deal of variability in some common ions (e.g. [[manganese]], [[iron]]) while proximity to coastal areas is associated with higher [[sulfate]] and [[sodium]] concentrations.<ref>{{cite journal |title=The water chemistry of Carolina bays: A regional survey |last1=Newman |first1=Michael C. |last2=Schalles |first2=John F. |doi=10.1127/archiv-hydrobiol/118/1990/147 |journal=Archiv für Hydrobiologie |volume=118 |issue=2 |date=1990 |pages=147–168}}</ref>