The result is a narrow, scarcely floating mat. Zonation from open water to black spruce muskeg is telescoped. Black spruce continues as an extensive muskeg, but tamarack drops out owing to shading and mineral deficiency. Oxygen deficiency results in incomplete decomposition of invertebrate animals and accumulated litter from marginal vegetation that builds up on a muddy false bottom. The false bottom is close to the surface, and the sedge mat advances upon it as summer drought sets in.
Succession ends with a muskeg.
In such a bog, the zonation is quite distinct.