Acrotelm

Fluctuations in water table in a peat bog occur within the acrotelm, and hence conditions may vary from aerobic to anaerobic with time.

[1] Where there is extensive geological fluctuations in the peatland surface, the depth of the acrotelm may change fundamentally north of a couple of meters of distance.

[2] In general, the acrotelm has a higher hydraulic conductivity and a lower bulk density than the catotelm.

[3] After ditching, the acrotelm becomes thicker and more effective, drying the peat and simplifying harvesting.

Completely developed acrotelm, only found in ombrotrophic bogs, make it possible to study atmospheric deposition and how it affects ecosystems.