Minerotrophic refers to environments that receive nutrients primarily through groundwater that flows through mineral-rich soils or rock, [1] or surface water flowing over land. [2] Minerotrophic, “minerogenous”, and “geogenous” are now often used interchangeably, although the latter two terms refer primarily to hydrological systems, while the former refers to nutrient dynamics. [3] The hydrologic process behind minerotrophic wetlands results in water that has acquired dissolved chemicals which raise the nutrient levels and reduce the acidity. [3] This in turn affects vegetation assemblages and diversity in the wetland in question. [4] If dissolved chemicals include chemical bases such as calcium or magnesium ions, the water is referred to as base-rich and is neutral or alkaline. [3] In contrast to minerotrophic environments, ombrotrophic environments get their water mainly from precipitation, and so are very low in nutrients and more acidic. [5] Of the various wetland types, fens and rich fens are often minerotrophic while poor fens and bogs are often ombrotrophic. [1] Marshes and swamps may also be fed through groundwater sources to a degree. [6]
The hydrological setting of a wetland strongly influences its characteristics. [4] Chemical ions are transported to wetlands via their hydrological system, and in turn affect pH, conductivity, and nutrient levels. [7] Chemical and nutrient dynamics may differ depending on a minerotrophic wetland’s hydrological setting, which could include water discharge dominated, recharge dominated, or some combination of both. [4] These characteristics also vary seasonally, as average groundwater levels increase and decrease at different times of the year. [8] This seasonality can raise water below ground or above the surface to become free standing. [9] Additional factors such as geological conditions, soil type, and surface morphology may also influence the characteristics of a wetland in tandem with hydrological setting. [4]
Stable water and nutrient availability via groundwater systems allows for a diverse array of plant species to grow in minerotrophic wetlands. [4] This also allows for peat to accumulate provided the water does not flow too quickly. [4] A minerotrophic wetland may be alkaline or weakly acidic, which also influences vegetation communities. [6] Rich fens are often characterized by alkaline hydrologic conditions, allowing for more plant diversity. [6] These areas may be dominated by brown mosses of the family Amblystegiaceae and sedges in the genus Carex. [6] Acidic poor fens are often dominated by peat mosses of the genus Sphagnum which tend to further increase acidity. [6]
A notable example of a minerotrophic wetland is the Everglades, a large subtropical wetland located in Western Florida, USA. [10]