Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of peat?

Peat is primarily formed in waterlogged, anaerobic conditions such as bogs and fens, where organic matter accumulates over time but does not fully decompose. The accumulation of plant material, typically from sphagnum moss and other vegetation, is characteristic of peat-making environments.

The correct understanding is that peat is specifically associated with boggy or wetland areas rather than being directly derived from fresh-water lakes. While fresh-water lakes may have organic matter in their sediment, the unique conditions in boggy soils are crucial for the formation of peat.

Other characteristics highlight peat's role in the carbon cycle; it is rich in carbon due to the slow decomposition process that occurs in anaerobic conditions. Peat is often considered an early stage of coal formation, reflecting the transformation of organic material into a more carbon-dense material over geological timescales. Thus, the defining traits of peat do not align with it being derived from fresh-water lakes, making that option the one that does not accurately represent a characteristic of peat.