In some instances, organic plant material continues to build up above the level of the water. This situation produces a bog in which the major portion of the growing surface receives no input from underlying or adjacent mineral soils. The plants rely on wet and dry deposition from the atmosphere to meet their nutritional needs. In contrast, minertrophic refers to areas that receive some nutrients from drainage of adjacent mineral soil. This is common in fens.
Organic soils are important in major wood producing countries because they support forests.
Literature Cited Davis, R.B., and D.S. Anderson. The eccentric bogs of Maine. 146, Maine Ag. Stn., Univ. of Maine. Maki, T.E. 1974.