Intrafen and interfen variation of Indiana fens: water chemistry

This study establishes a baseline of water chemistry information for selected Indiana fens over the course of one year. Fens are peatlands fed by groundwater seepage and are characterized by their dominant plant communities. Most of the fens discussed in this paper are located on property controlled and protected by the State of Indiana or the Federal government. Comparisons were made of variability in water chemistry data between fens located in the same area and those located some distance away. This survey indicated extensive variability in fen water chemistry with greater variability in water chemistry between fens in separate locations than in yearly variation within individual fens.