FieldLabs

Molly Bog

Natural Area: Molly Bog

About Molly Bog

Body

Molly Bog is an excellent example of a northeastern kettlehole bog, complete with an open water zone surrounded by an open mat and forest. The 35-acre natural area consists of the bog and adjacent lowland and upland forest. It is the site of a multi-year study on native pitcher plants. Due to the delicate nature of this ecosystem, Molly Bog is not open to the public and the exact location is not displayed publicly.  
 

Research

Body

Dr. Nick Gotelli from UVM has been studying the pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea) population in Molly Bog for over three decades.  His findings relate pitcher plant populations to Nitrogen in the rainwater and suggest anthropogenic increases in Nitrogen are causing mortality of these carnivorous plants specialized to this bog ecosystem. 

Education

Body

Molly Bog has been used primarily as a research and conservation site to preserve the rare kettle bog ecosystem.  Botanists have visited the site for rare plant surveys and UVM classes have conducted small mammal surveys at the site. 

Outreach

Body

Due to the fragile environment, UVM conducts no outreach aimed at bringing the public to Molly Bog.  UVM has partnered with The Nature Conservancy and The National Park Service to give the bog protected status. 

Property Description

Body

A series of peatlands and other wetland types occurs in the Stowe Valley lowlands east of the main ridgeline of the Green Mountains. Molly Bog is located in this valley.

A relict of the last glacial epoch, Molly Bog exhibits the classical bog landscape with a 2- acre darkly stained pool in the middle directly bordered by a leatherleaf necklace, itself surrounded by a sedge and sphagnum mat dotted with other heath shrubs, the occasional orchid, and groups of pitcher plants.  The outlying bog forest dominated by tamarack and black spruce frames the area and contributes to its boreal feel and sense of antiquity and remoteness.  

History

Body

The Vermont Bird and Botanical Club acquired the site in 1961.  The land was then conveyed to the University by way of The Nature Conservancy without any conditions placed on its use prior to the transfer.  The site was designated a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Park Service in 1989. The Park Service recognizes its threatened ecological value due to logging and other human activities in the area. The Nature Conservancy and UVM view the larger landscape as the Molly Bog peatland complex and have explored the possibility of conserving additional acreage. The Vermont Land Trust placed a conservation easement on a nearby farm including another bog that was heavily damaged by logging. 

Site Access, Maps, and Facilities

Body

Molly Bog is not open to the general public.

Site Characteristics

Body

  • Size: 35 acres

  • Average summer high: 78.6 

  • Average summer low: 54.8 

  • Average winter high: 25.4 

  • Average winter low: 10.2 

  • Elevation: 220m/730ft 

  • Precipitation: 220m/730ft 

  • Soils: Borohemists 

Stakeholders & Partnerships

Body

  • The Nature Conservancy 

  • National Parks Service 

  • Vermont Land Trust 

  • UVM Biology Department 

 

Field Lab Bibliography

Body

A full PDF of past research at Molly Bog is in development.