Seasonal trends in permanent and ephemeral wetland water chemistry
Date
2015-04Author
Gehant, Pamela A.
Publisher
University of Wisconsin--Stout. Research Services
Advisor(s)
Church, James
Little, Amanda
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
We investigated seasonal differences in pH, conductivity, and dissolved
oxygen concentrations between permanent and ephemeral wetlands
within the Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area. These chemical attributes
affect which organisms can live within these different habitats. We used
general linear models to compare the effects of wetland type (ephemeral vs.
permanent) and temporal variation on the water chemistry attributes. Specific
conductivity was significantly higher in ephemeral wetlands than permanent
wetlands, with no significant change over the growing season. Dissolved
oxygen was significantly higher in permanent wetlands, but significantly decreased
among sample periods in both wetland types. There was no significant
difference in pH between permanent and ephemeral wetlands, but pH showed
significant fluctuation between sample periods. Similar fluctuations were
observed between the two types of wetlands over time. Ephemeral wetlands
exhibited a higher specific conductivity and temperature which is likely due
to their small size. pH fluctuations between sample periods may be affected
by vegetation or soil conditions. The hydroperiod of a wetland seems to be an
important factor affecting water chemical characteristics. Our findings provide
a framework for investigating relationships between these water chemistry
trends and biological communities.
Subject
ephemeral ponds
Permanent Link
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/77549Description
Research article with graphs.
Citation
Gehant, P. A. (2015). Seasonal trends in permanent and ephemeral wetland water chemistry. University of Wisconsin-Stout Journal of Student Research, 14, 203-211.