Thesis
A comparison of seasonal changes in water quality and macroinvertebrate abundance between artificial and natural wetlands
Masters by Coursework, Murdoch University
1992
Abstract
Three artificial wetlands at Wellard and Maramanup Pool located approximately 40 kms south of Perth, Western Australia, were compared on the basis of ecological data. Wellard main wetland had highest annual mean pH, conductivity and secchi depth while the second wetland had highest turbidity and Maramanup Pool had highest colour. Seasonality was obvious in conductivity and turbidity as a result of high evaporation in summer and high rainfall in winter. Nearly all forms of nutrients (TP, OP, PO4, TN, NH4, NO3/NO2 and ON) were higher in Maramanup Pool than in the artificial wetlands indicating that the Wellard wetlands were still younger than the naturaL wetland in terms of nutrient enrichment. However, chlorophyll-a concentrations in the Wellard main wetland and third wetland were in turn higher than the second wetland and Maramanup Pool suggesting that high colour and turbidity were inhibiting phytoplankton growth. Macroinvertebrate abundance was highest in the second wetland but species richness was highest in Maramanup Pool. Diversity was highest in the third wetland possibly reflecting the habitats provided by the reed communities. Evenness in the main pond, the second pond and Maramanup Pool was low (< 0.2) indicating that low number of taxa occurred in higher numbers but this was comparable to other natural wetlands. Four species of fish G. holbrooki. G. occidentalis. P. olorum and L. wallacei were found in the main wetland and Maramanup Pool while the first three were found in the second wetland, main wetland. The highest abundance was in the Seasonal variation of fish abundance appeared to be related to their life cycles, their behaviours and their spawning However, fish were more frequently found and more abundant in spring and summer rather than in winter.
Details
- Title
- A comparison of seasonal changes in water quality and macroinvertebrate abundance between artificial and natural wetlands
- Authors/Creators
- Siripong Pornpipat
- Contributors
- Jenny Davis (Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Murdoch University; Masters by Coursework
- Identifiers
- 991005543575207891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis
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