Mire

The international scientific term for any wetland ecosystem that accumulates peat — i.e. where waterlogging slows decomposition enough that dead plant matter builds up faster than it breaks down. “Mire” is the umbrella category; “bog,” “fen,” “moor,” and “peatland” are regional or vernacular terms that usually refer to a specific type of mire or are used loosely as synonyms.

Classification

Mires are split first by water source (see ombrotrophic vs. minerotrophic):

• Bogs — ombrotrophic, rain-fed only. Includes raised bogs and blanket bogs.
• Fens — minerotrophic, fed by groundwater or surface water. See Fen.
• Transitional mires — intermediate hydrology and chemistry between bog and fen.

Why the Distinction Matters for Cosmetic Peat

Water source determines pH, mineral content, and dominant vegetation, which in turn determines the peat’s chemistry. Bog-derived peat is acidic, mineral-poor, and sphagnum-derived — the source of most high-grade cosmetic and balneological peat. Fen-derived peat is less acidic, mineral-richer, and used more in Central European Moortherapie traditions that value mineral content alongside humic substances.