Abstract
Creek system in central Australia. Many of these waterholes contain water
over extended no flow periods and are recognized as important réfugia for
aquatic biota. This paper explores how morphological features may influence
ecosystem processes within waterholes. Each waterhole was characterized via
a suite of morphological variables and it was found that the maximum fetch
length was an important variable that separated waterholes into two groups.
Water turbidity of these two groups of waterholes was different, as were rates
of benthic production and respiration. Benthic production and therefore energy
available to support the food webs of these waterholes was greater in the
group of waterholes with shorter fetch lengths and lower turbidity. The
possible associations between morphology, turbidity, and primary production
highlight the importance of understanding the physical template of these
dryland river ecosystems.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 77-84 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | IAHS Proceedings and Reports |
| Issue number | 276 |
| Publication status | Published - 2002 |
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Physical and ecological associations in dryland refugia: waterholes of the Cooper Creek, Australia. / Thoms, Martin; Fellows, Christine; Bunn, Stuart.
In: IAHS Proceedings and Reports, No. 276, 2002, p. 77-84.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Physical and ecological associations in dryland refugia: waterholes of the Cooper Creek, Australia
AU - Thoms, Martin
AU - Fellows, Christine
AU - Bunn, Stuart
PY - 2002
Y1 - 2002
N2 - Waterholes are a significant morphological feature of the CooperCreek system in central Australia. Many of these waterholes contain waterover extended no flow periods and are recognized as important réfugia foraquatic biota. This paper explores how morphological features may influenceecosystem processes within waterholes. Each waterhole was characterized viaa suite of morphological variables and it was found that the maximum fetchlength was an important variable that separated waterholes into two groups.Water turbidity of these two groups of waterholes was different, as were ratesof benthic production and respiration. Benthic production and therefore energyavailable to support the food webs of these waterholes was greater in thegroup of waterholes with shorter fetch lengths and lower turbidity. Thepossible associations between morphology, turbidity, and primary productionhighlight the importance of understanding the physical template of thesedryland river ecosystems.
AB - Waterholes are a significant morphological feature of the CooperCreek system in central Australia. Many of these waterholes contain waterover extended no flow periods and are recognized as important réfugia foraquatic biota. This paper explores how morphological features may influenceecosystem processes within waterholes. Each waterhole was characterized viaa suite of morphological variables and it was found that the maximum fetchlength was an important variable that separated waterholes into two groups.Water turbidity of these two groups of waterholes was different, as were ratesof benthic production and respiration. Benthic production and therefore energyavailable to support the food webs of these waterholes was greater in thegroup of waterholes with shorter fetch lengths and lower turbidity. Thepossible associations between morphology, turbidity, and primary productionhighlight the importance of understanding the physical template of thesedryland river ecosystems.
M3 - Article
SP - 77
EP - 84
JO - IAHS Proceedings and Reports
JF - IAHS Proceedings and Reports
SN - 0144-7815
IS - 276
ER -