Impact Assessment of Coastal Wetlands Freshwater Ecosystemst

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ECOLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS AND EVALUATION OF BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES IN LAKE AYATA (OUED RIGH VALLEY: NORTHERN ALGERIAN SAHARA).
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ABSTRACT: Ayata Lake (155 ha) belongs to the complex of wetlands of Oued Righ Valley in Algerian Lower-Sahara. This study conducted between October 2009 and June 2010 has allowed a bioecological characterization of both biotic and abiotic elements of the site.
Flora and fauna Inventories have revealed existence of 13 plant species, 03 fish, 02 amphibians, 06 reptiles, 55 birds and 07 mammals. The flora of the site is mapped then the dynamics of dominant plant species is assessed by GIS software. Bio-ecological Statuses (faunal, trophic, phenological and protection) are attributed to the species surveyed and they are discussed. The spatiotemporal occupation of the lake by birds is mapped and detailed. Furthermore, this study includes a general review on wetlands ecosystems. Wetlands of the Lower-Sahara region (Ziban, Souf, valley of Oued Righ, and Ouargla) are inventoried, classified and mapped. This approach helped to highlight the biological resources of Ayata Lake and determine its actual ecological value. This can lead to propose suggestions for management and conservation close to its socioeconomic status in a sustainable development view.

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RÉSUMÉ: Le Lac Ayata (155 ha) appartient au complexe des zones humides de la Vallée d’Oued Righ au Bas-Sahara algérien. L’étude menée entre octobre 2009 et juin 2010 a permis une caractérisation bioécologique des éléments tant biotiques qu’abiotiques du site. Les inventaires de la flore et de la faune ont révélé l’existence de 13 espèces végétales, 03 poissons, 02 amphibiens, 06 reptiles, 55 oiseaux et 07 mammifères. La flore du site est cartographiée et la dynamique saisonnière des espèces dominantes est estimée par un logiciel de SIG. Des statuts bioécologiques (fauniques, trophiques, phénologiques et de protection) sont attribués aux espèces animales inventoriées puis ils sont discutés. L’occupation spatiotemporelle du lac par l’avifaune est cartographiée et détaillée. Par ailleurs, cette étude comporte des connaissances générales sur les des zones humides. Celles-ci sont inventoriées, classifiées puis cartographies dans la région du Bas-Sahara (Ziban, Souf, Vallée d’Oued Righ et Ouargla). Cette approche a permis de mettre en valeur les ressources biologiques du site et de déterminer son importance écologique. Ceci peut aboutir à des suggestions de gestion et de conservation étroites à son état socioéconomique dans une prospection d’un développement durable.

The coastal region of Kenya is endowed with a wide variety of natural resources that ranges from the sandy beaches to the spectacular marine life and the Mangroves.
This endowment is however in one among the few fragile ecosystems the earth can adequately sustain if proper measures of conservation and management are put in place. This paper is, though not completely done, an outlay of the few resources found in and along the coastal area that are at the verge of total exploitation through under utilization and over exploitation.

"Wetland is a collective term for ecosystems formed by water and processes and its characteristics are mainly controlled by water. A wetland is a place that is sufficiently long for the growth of vegetation and other specially adapted organisms (Maltby, 1986). Wetlands are defined based on 3 parameters, namely Hydrology, hydrophilic vegetation, and wet soil (Cassel, 1997). One type of wetland that can be utilized is artificial wetlands. Currently, wetlands can be used and manipulated to control pollution through a Biofilter system.

Abstract
This study construed the center of attention of ZSCMST maritime researches were on maritime technology and education curriculum; and maritime administration with less emphasis on maritime education research areas involving marine environment management; shipping and port management; and maritime risk and system safety.
This study involved a criterion-referenced impact assessment of Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST) maritime education research outputs  that were conducted during 2000 to June, 2013.  The method used in this study was the survey questionnaire attached with the different executive summary or abstract of the research outputs were given to the twenty-eighty (28) maritime stakeholders who composed of 35.71% maritime faculty members; 50% mariners and 14.29% shipping industry.  This questionnaire was categorized into two set of questionnaire checklist, namely, on the usability of the research outputs; and the Efficiency of the implementation or adoption of the research outputs to the seven areas of maritime education.  A descriptive research was used in this study. The proportion of the respondents at the different rating scale of the two sets of questionnaire checklist were used and compared using the criterion-referenced impact assessment rubric as basis for the impact analysis and decision-making. The impact was seen as  positive, moderate or negative. The overall impact (i.e. outcome) of the maritime research outputs were also determined by computing the mean of the rating of respondents at the different scales and areas of the maritime education.
The study revealed the ZSCMST maritime research outputs have moderate impact in their usability and efficiency of adoption to marine environment management with research output no. 3 as the most usable and research output no. 4 and 6 as not usable to marine environment management.  Also, the same results  were observed on the impact of the research outputs to shipping and port management with research output no. 2,3, and 9 as the very usable while research output no. 4,5 and 6 were not usable to shipping and port management. All of the research outputs had a positive impact to their usability to maritime administration, however, there is a moderate impact of their efficiency of implementation to maritime administration. All of the research outputs were very usable and very effective to their adoption to the intended maritime technology and education curriculum with research output no. 4 are slightly usable while research output no. 1,2,3 and 4 were slightly effective of their adoption to the intended maritime technology and education curriculum. Also, there were positive impact of the usability and efficiency of adoption of all the research outputs to the implemented and achieved maritime technology and education curriculum with research output no. 3 was slightly usable to the achieved maritime technology and education curriculum while research output no. 2,3,4 and 6 were slightly effective of their adoption to the achieved maritime technology and education curriculum. The research output no. 6 showed also a slightly effective of its implementation to the implemented maritime technology and education curriculum. The nine maritime research outputs had been noted to have a moderate impact on their usability and efficiency of implementation to the maritime risk and system safety.  The overall findings viewed the ZSCMST research outputs had a positive impact of its usability and efficiency of their implementation to maritime technology and education curriculum and maritime administration except moderate impact were perceived in their efficiency of adoption to maritime administration while there are moderate impact both in the usability and efficiency of adoption to the rest of areas of maritime education. Generally, this study ascertained the ZSCMST maritime research outputs had a moderate impact of its usability and their efficiency of adoption to maritime education.
Keyword: Criterion-referenced impact assessment, maritime education, positive impact , moderate impact , negative impact, Usability , Efficiency of the implementation or adoption

Aquatic macroinvertebrates are affected by physical, chemical and biological conditions of the stream. Some of them are pollution-sensitive while others are pollution-tolerant. They are good indicators of stream health. This study was conducted to determine the status of Labo and Clarin Rivers using macroinvertebrates as bioindicators. Dip-net and kick-net methods were employed. Results showed that sampling sites in forested areas in Labo and Clarin rivers had a higher macroinvertebrate taxa richness and abundance. Mayflies (Ephemeroptera) were the dominant macroinvertebrates. Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) and %EPT indices were higher in Clarin than Labo River. Based on Family-level biotic index (FBI), the water quality of sampling site 1 in Clarin (forested site) was excellent (organic pollution is unlikely) and very good (possible slight organic pollution) for site 1 in the Labo River but decreased downstream (fair to good quality). MANOVA results revealed a significant difference in the macroinvertebrate abundance in the agricultural sites of Labo River and forest sites of Clarin River. Cluster analysis showed that among the macroinvertebrates, mayflies (Ephemeroptera) were distinct in the forest sites and bugs (Hemiptera) in agricultural sites on Clarin River. Fly larvae (Diptera) and beetles (Coleoptera) were distinct in agroforest sites of the Clarin River while abundant in agricultural sites on Labo River. Results indicate a need for monitoring and proper management of Labo and Clarin rivers to prevent increasing deterioration of water quality.

This report documents the results of a Systematic Reconnaissance Flight (SRF) aerial survey of the Malagarasi-Muyovozi Ramsar Site (Tanzania), conducted from 17
to 28 November 2001. The survey was made as part of the Danida-funded project on Sustainable and Integrated Management of the Malagarasi-Muyovozi Ramsar Site
(SIMMORS), which aims at assisting the Wildlife Division of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism to fulfil its obligations under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
The aerial survey provided a successful rapid assessment of the status and distribution of wildlife, vegetation & wetland types and their status in the Malagarasi-Muyovozi Ramsar
Site. The present report only presents the results of the observations on the status of the vegetation, disturbances and threats to habitats from human activities in the Ramsar Site. The types and extent of different vegetation types, human activities, threats and buffer zone issues in this important wetland area are discussed.

Technical Report for the Project on Sustainable and Integrated Management of the Malagarasi-Muyovozi Ramsar Site (SIMMORS), 2001.

Building Collaboration: Toward Co-management for the Hanalei Ahupua’a, Kaua’i, Hawai’i. Planning Practicum Fall 2002.  Dacheng Dong, Winston “Toni” Halapua, Ian Lesnet, Luke Moffat, Barbara Natale, Anna “Nina” Poerbonegoro, Kevin Polloi, Nuttakarn Sumon, Napat Settachai, Vivaswan Verawudh, Makoto Yamamura. Camille Tuason Mata, RA. Luciano Minerbi, Faculty Participant, co-editor and PI.  Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawai’i 

SUMMARY
This study explores the potential for developing mutual obligation partnerships between the Hanalei Heritage River Hui (HUI), the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Hanalei Community, and other pertinent government agencies in the effort to malama, take care, the Hanalei watershed according to Native Hawaiian ahupua’a values that are both collaborative and beneficial for all stakeholders.
It proposes a a road map for mutual obligation practices.  Three key issues are: (1) wastewater disposal facility for Hanalei; (2) the perpetuation of taro farming as an economic and cultural practice as well as its ability to serve as a natural habitat for native and endangered birds in co-existence with the bird impoundments at the National Wildlife Refuge; and (3) the coordination of tourism practices with socio-environmental considerations.
1. Existing waste-water facility are a concern because of high levels of fecal- indicator bacteria in Hanalei Bay and Stream that are used for recreational purpose.  Alternative to cesspool and septic systems are explored for improved water quality including composting facilities or connect to an off-site clustered treatment system. Existing systems in flood-prone and high-water table areas should be modified to use percolation beds. Four treatment systems are reviewed and compared (standard centralized, wetland, living machine, and septic).  Cluster wetland systems should serve problem areas, with centralized wetlands wastewater treatment to be considered.  Continued scientific monitoring of water quality is needed to document water quality results from mitigation efforts.
2. Taro farming and water bird habitat should coexist has they have been since Polynesians engaged in wetland agriculture in Hawaiʻi. However, wetlands have been reduced due to extensive draining and filling for agricultural and urban development. This habitat reduction is the cause of the decline of several of Hawai’i’s native water-birds to the point of extinction. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) is tasked with the recovery of these endangered Hawaiian water-birds. The relationship between the bird recovery and taro farming is examined in this report. It is crucial that endangered water-birds attain sustainable numbers, but it is also essential that taro farming is perpetuated, not only for cultural and economic reasons, but for its significant role in providing suitable habitat for these endangered birds. This report explores venues of collaboration among the USFWS, USDOA/NRCS, taro farmers, and the Hanalei community.
3. Tourism should be coordinated with socio-environment planning because of its impacts on on the natural resources, economic structure, culture and social relations, real estate, property ownership, as well as land use and townscape in this rural town. Agro-eco-cultural tourism can be pursued based on carrying capacity and monitoring.  A proposed visitor center with parking and shuttles to manage the visitors should be planned.  The county should establish a circuit breaker bill for residents to to reduce high property taxes induced by outside investment.  Permit should be imposed to control the amount of vacation rentals. Hanalei’s tourism carrying capacity and accommodations should be updated annually. An environmental, economic, social, and cultural impact assessment on the Hanalei ahupuaʻa should be carried out before proposing further tourism development.

Wetlands can be defined as transitional landscape or the region that generally lies between the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Wetlands account for about six percent of the total land area, and are of several types like marshes, swamps, lagoons, fens, mangroves and bogs. The life on Earth is perceiving an increasing threat from climate change, primarily due to aggravated activities by humans, under the aegis of growth and development, as well as its repercussions that are having a greater impact on the ecology, to which wetlands are no exception. This situation of wetlands could be understood by monitoring and studying the variations in wetland type, soil and sediment characteristics, vegetative composition, evapotranspiration, geology, topography, hydrology and most importantly the climatic conditions of a particular region or place. Space technologies are being used for data collection and information management and dissemination and is also helpful for better planning, development and management informed decisions making, project planning. The paper provides an analysis of the uses of various space technologies used in India, their impact and suggestions to improve the effectiveness and efficacy of uses. It argues that technology and wetland environment could be integrated through innovation at all levels.

Lake-edge wetland types result from the influence of various hydrogeomorphological (HGM) predictors, such as water level, hydroperiod, and elevation. Climate and land-use changes could induce variations in lake water levels, and subsequently trigger changes in wetland type and area. This study aims to determine whether HGM predictors alone can be used to classify lake-edge wetlands. The resilience of these wetlands to different water level change scenarios was also evaluated. We sampled the plant communities of 37 lake-edge wetlands (peatland, ash and alder swamps) of a medium-size Canadian lake (12.9 km2), and computed 12 HGM predictors using a GIS software and commonly available landscape data. We used canonical redundancy analysis to evaluate the relationship between wetland types, plant communities, and HGM predictors. We then built a random forest model using these predictors to classify wetlands and to evaluate the impacts of small (± 0.5 m) and large (± 2 m) water level chang...

Salt marsh areas are recognized as important natural sinks for metals. Bhal region one selected for this investigation can be classified as a 15 km wide coastal wetland comprising of marshy areas towards the Gulf and of either freshwater-salt marsh or freshwater bodies in landward margin of 10 km, which remains flooded during monsoon. Hence in this study attempts were made to evaluate the levels of heavy metals viz., Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Ni and Cd of habitats located at such interesting ecoregion. 54 soil samples collected from 18 twin belt transects during monsoon, winter and summer at 6 different coastal locations viz., Mingalpur, Mundi Bridge, Rahtalav, Khoon, Kamatalav and Bhogavo were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Furthermore results obtained were subjected to 2-way ANOVA. From results obtained, it can be said that metal concentrations in soil samples supporting coastal flora in Bhal ecoregion could possibly be arranged in a decreasing order as follows: Fe > Mn > Ni > Zn > Cu > Cd. Also coastal regions of Bhal are comparatively less contaminated by heavy metals than marshy locations of other countries. 2-way ANOVA assessing seasonal variations showed that concentrations of Fe, Mn and Cu in 2 marshy locations varied significantly during monsoon, winter and summer. In contrast, Ni, Zn and Cd did not show such trend of temporal observations for all the 6 selected locations. Furthermore, metal content in soil samples collected from 3 belt transects at each location did not fluctuate significantly, indicating a fact that one may chose any one sample area for any specific type of botanical investigations.

Three Ghanaian reservoirs (Tono, Bontanga and Golinga) were compared through a food web modelling approach (Ecopath with Ecosim) to assess production characteristics and food web structures. The lakes differ in size and morphology, generating specific conditions for fish growth and production. While the two top fishery target species were Sarotherodon galilaeus (L.) and Oreochromis niloticus (L.) in all reservoirs, the mean trophic level of the catch was lowest in the largest and deepest reservoir (Tono) due to higher trophic level species occupying less accessible deep “refuge” habitats. The smallest lake had the highest fish production under optimal conditions of water supply (17.1 compared with 15.5 and 10.1 t/km2/year for lakes Bontanga and Tono), but it appears to be most vulnerable under conditions of drought. For the planning and construction of adequately sized reservoirs used for fishery and irrigation purposes, the water budget (ratio of inflow and evaporation) needs to be estimated.

Today, due to the growing population on the one hand and the shortage of drinking water resources on the other the use of water recycling has grown dramatically. The use of artificial wetlands is one of the wastewater treatment methods its output can be used without problems in the environment or in agriculture. An important issue in these systems the exact knowledge and correct recognition of the type of plant species used in the system. In this study the removal efficiency of nutrients by sedge plant has been investigated in order to determine the possibility of using this plant in artificial wetland system. For this purpose, four cells were considered. The conditions were completely identical in all cells one cell was also considered to have a course of growth with normal water (control cell). After 6 months the plant was sampled and the individual organs and underground samples were tested and the removal efficiency of nutrients was determined. The percentage of nutrient removal by the plant and by the total cell system for sedge was %58.6 N, %35.71 P, %73.64 N, %56.25P, respectively.

Three Ghanaian reservoirs (Tono, Bontanga and Golinga) were compared through a food web modelling approach (Ecopath with Ecosim) to assess production characteristics and food web structures. The lakes differ in size and morphology, generating specific conditions for fish growth and production. While the two top fishery target species were Sarotherodon galilaeus (L.) and Oreochromis niloticus (L.) in all reservoirs, the mean trophic level of the catch was lowest in the largest and deepest reservoir (Tono) due to higher trophic level species occupying less accessible deep “refuge” habitats. The smallest lake had the highest fish production under optimal conditions of water supply (17.1 compared with 15.5 and 10.1 t/km2/year for lakes Bontanga and Tono), but it appears to be most vulnerable under conditions of drought. For the planning and construction of adequately sized reservoirs used for fishery and irrigation purposes, the water budget (ratio of inflow and evaporation) needs to be estimated.

The success of biodiversity conservation in National Chambal Sanctuary is evident from increased numerical status of three indicator species namely, gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) and the Gangetic dolphin (Platanista gangetica) during the past thirty years. The changed spatial distribution of all three species towards lower section of river Chambal is traced to changes in hydrological characteristics of the river. The deep perennial nature has decreased and continuity of the habitat has increasingly got fragmented. Further studies are necessary to consolidate old data that are fragmentary and discontinuous but amplify the exact relationship that link changing biodiversity status to precipitation, vegetation and temperature in the Chambal basin. It is urged to bring forward other examples of long-duration biodiversity monitoring that highlight climate change to biodiversity status distribution.

Benthic macroinvertebrates are commonly used in river health biomonitoring. In monitoring program biotic indices are now widely established in water quality monitoring around the world, including in the tropical countries. The aim of this study was to reveal the ecological status of Cisadane River’s headwaters in inside and outside of Mount Halimun-Salak National Park by using benthic macroinvertebrates. The research was conducted in the headwaters of Cisadane River located in Mount Halimun-Salak National Park. Macroinvertebrates were collected from four sites, i.e. inside the park (station 1, 2, 3, and 4) and from two sites outside the park (station 5 and 6). Collections were made twice a month, starting from April to June 2015 by means of Surber sampler (frame area 30x30 cm). A total of 65 genera from 38 families and 11 orders were found in the river. The results showed that based on
diversity index, Lincoln Quality Index (LQI), Family Biotic Index (FBI), and Stream Invertebrate Grade Number Average Level 2 (SIGNAL 2), stations located within national park were ecologically better than those outside national park. Rivers with well-preserved riverside vegetation, as in the national park area have greater ecological status.

Horizontal subsurface flow (HSSF) constructed wetlands are widely used for wastewater treatment but there’s still a lack of information on flow characteristics changes throughout the porous bed over time. The continuous growth of roots, the adsorption, sedimentation and precipitation of wastewater compounds and the biofilm release over operation time leads to the development of stagnated areas, the appearance of hydraulic short-circuiting and variations in dispersion conditions, which affect substrate distribution throughout the bed and, therefore, may worsen the overall performance of the system. In order to enable a better understanding of the transport mechanisms throughout the bed, two series of tracer tests were performed in a laboratory HSSF system at the hydraulic loading of 4.7x10-3 m3 m-2 h-1. The first series was executed with the bed without vegetation and the second with the bed already colonized with Phragmites australis after an operation period of eight months at an average organic loading of 12 g m-2 d-1 COD. The magnitude of longitudinal dispersion was estimated both by a curve fitting technique using the non-linear least square optimization method (LSOM) and using the moment method (MOM) over the advection-dispersion-reaction equation. The flow regime and the extension of dead volumes were estimated by the same curve-fitting technique over the multiple tanks in series model (MTS). The results showed that the development of plants and biomass did not contribute for a significant amount of longitudinal dispersion in the overall media length. However, the dispersion was very strong in the inlet section, where the dead volumes increased approximately 65% within the colonized bed. The flow regime may be considered as plug flow throughout the overall length and the tracer retention was associated with dispersion and internal recirculation and, additionally, for Series II it was associated with the occurrence of clusters of biomass and roots. The MTS better explain the tracer results for the overall media length. The MOM seems to be inadequate for estimating Pe leading to underestimated values when compared with the ones calculated by LSOM.

The presence of plants (reed, rush, cattail, willow, etc) in constructed wetlands (CW) for wastewater treatment brings several benefits, including enhanced removal of pollutants (N, P, heavy metals) from treated wastewater, creating micro-aerobic conditions and providing carbon compounds in the rhizosphere, hence supporting a diverse subsurface microbial community. Aquatic macrophytes are also of great importance in evapotranspiration (ET), especially during hot periods, in both natural and constructed wetlands. ET increases the concentration of dissolved compounds due to decreasing water volume in a CW. This may result in zero-discharge from the system. Where ET is high, removal efficiency (calculated as the difference between influent and effluent concentrations) is lower than expected from mass balance (based on pollutant loadings). Case studies from Poland (lab scale) and Portugal (field scale) illustrate the influence of ET on volume reduction and on the calculation of pollutan...

The combined effects of water temperature and salinity on survival and moulting behaviour of the larvae of three species of palaemonid prawns in S. England were studied. The larvae of Palaemonetes varians tolerate the largest range of experimental stresses, those of P. longirostris an intermediate range and the larvae of Palaemon serratus are limited to near sea water conditions. Such limitations of the larvae could be important in determining their distribution in the wild.

Colombo Crow Island Coastal wetland is coming under Ramsar wetland city (6˚58'24.1"N,
79˚52'09.9"E) which covers 7 ha. This coastal wetland consists of rich fauna and flora diversity
and is among the least studied wetland in the capital. The objectives of the present study were to
investigate the faunal diversity of the Beach Park and the associated area, and to assess the
distribution and abundance of the mangrove associated crab species. The study was carried out
from 24th of August 2020 to 23rd of September 2020 and it is the first detailed faunal diversity
assessment in the Crow Island beach park ecosystem. A Total of 95 faunal species belonging to
53 families were recorded within the Crow Island Beach Park and it`s associated area. During
the study, six species of amphibians, thirty-one species of birds, nine species of reptiles, twelve
species of mammals, twenty species of butterflies, seven species of dragonflies and damselflies,
and ten species of crabs were recorded. Among the recorded fauna, two species, namely
Junglefowl (Gallus lafayettii) and Sri Lanka wood frog (Haylarana gracilis) are endemic to Sri
Lanka. Four species are nearly threatened including one dragonfly, spine–legged redbolt
(Rhodothemis rufa), two butterfly species known as mime (Papilio clytia) and brown king crow
(Euploea klugii) and one mammal species identified as brown mongoose (Herpestes
brachyurus). One species of vulnerable fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) was also found.
Birds were the most abundant faunal group and the amphibians were the least abundant in
Crow Island Beach Park. Species evenness, species richness and Shannon Weiner diversity
indices were calculated for mangrove associated crab species in selected four areas of the study
site. Species richness was equal (9) in the lower and middle areas while the beach area had the
lowest (1). Shannon Weiner Diversity indices were 0, 1.97, 1.92 and 1.83 for the Beach area,Lower area, Middle area and Upper area respectively.

Keywords: Coastal Wetland, Diversity, Fauna species, Species richness

Aquatic macroinvertebrates are affected by physical, chemical and biological conditions of the stream. Some of them are pollution-sensitive while others are pollution-tolerant. They are good indicators of stream health. This study was conducted to determine the status of Labo and Clarin Rivers using macroinvertebrates as bioindicators. Dip-net and kick-net methods were employed. Results showed that sampling sites in forested areas in Labo and Clarin rivers had a higher macroinvertebrate taxa richness and abundance. Mayflies (Ephemeroptera) were the dominant macroinvertebrates. Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) and %EPT indices were higher in Clarin than Labo River. Based on Family-level biotic index (FBI), the water quality of sampling site 1 in Clarin (forested site) was excellent (organic pollution is unlikely) and very good (possible slight organic pollution) for site 1 in the Labo River but decreased downstream (fair to good quality). MANOVA results revealed a sig...

Few if any, data exist on below ground biomass for most plant communities.  Nevertheless, the proportion of plant productivity devoted to root growth may be substantial.  The major difficulties in obtaining representative measures of root biomass are:
1. Obtaining samples which are representative of the root zone, especially with respect to depth;
2. Adequate separation of the root material from soil minerals without loss of live material;
3. The discrimination between live and dead material.
Wetland soils tend to be poorly consolidated so that some of the above problems are partially alleviated. 

This paper reports on the determination of below-ground biomass in parts of intertidal wetlands at Pelican Point near Sydney, and on Kooragang Island near Newcastle.

Among Australian intertidal wetlands, root biomass estimates are available for mangrove stands in the Lane Cove River, New South Wales (Briggs, 1977) and in Westernport Bay, Victoria (Clough and Attawill, 1975) and a Juncus kraussii wetland in Western Australia (Congdon and McComb, 1980).  In this paper we present data for similar sites and for adjacent Casuarina glauca woodland and Sarcocornia quinqueflora saltmarshes.

Below ground biomass estimates, even for sites with grossly similar vegetation (eg mangroves and saltmarshes), vary greatly. Although the mangroves sampled on Kooragang Island are larger than those at pelican point, their below ground biomass estimates are smaller.  Root density data show that root development is most intense in the uppermost 0.1m of soil in almost all samples, the exception being the fringing mangroves of Kooragang island and the Casuarina woodland on the strand dune at pelican point.  Fine material has not always been specifically sought by other workers.

Most root to shoot ratios found in this study exceed unity.  This fact, and the high levels of dead matter in the cores raise the question of how much of the primary productivity in the system is apportioned to roots. This study found 4.74 times more biomass below ground than above ground at the ‘youthful’ mangroves at Pelican Point and 2.5 to 3.4 times more below ground biomass in the salt marshes of Pelican Point. The saltmarshes of Kooragang Island, on the other hand showed 9.41 times more belowground biomass at Kooragang Island while the mangroves measured a root to shoot ratio of only 0.71, suggesting less belowground biomass in the taller, more mature mangroves there. The more fertile waters of the Hunter River valley may have provided much more nutrient than the less fertile waters of the Georges river valley situated mainly in Sydney Sandstone possibly pointing to the trees requiring less live roots on Kooragang Island in the Hunter River and much more live roots in Pelican Point on the Georges River.

It is clear that the subterranean component of the mangrove and saltmarsh vegetation represents a quantitatively important part of these systems.  Despite this, there is little information available on the factors which affect root development and activity in these areas.  An understanding of these factors may well be essential to an appreciation of the nutrient and energy dynamics of the intertidal wetland.

The pioneering methodology developed for this below ground biomass study and the significant results would be useful for contemporary measures of carbon sequestration below ground for stocks and flow measurements for climate change strategies by international bodies.

This basic guide to the ecology of the southern Lake Michigan beaches and dunes habitat includes illustrated pages of native forbs, grasses, sedges and rushes, woody species, mosses, lichens and other cryptogams, as well as the most common non-native invasive species that are known to degrade habitat in an area that has been recently designated a RAMSAR wetland of international importance. Research was done from study of live as well as herbarium materials and botanical accuracy verified by Gerould Wilhelm, Ph.D, co-author of the Flora of the Chicago Region (2017, Indiana Academy of Science) and others cited. A glossary is included to make this helpful as a study guide for high school and college-age students.

Freshwater eels of the genus Anguilla consists of 16 species
and 3 subspecies that are distributed in the Indo-Pacific and North
Atlantic Ocean. They are consumed as delicacies throughout their
dispersal range especially in Japan, Europe and the Americas.
With growing demand for eels on the international market the
three major species currently cultured in the aquaculture industry,
Japanese eels A. japonica, European eel A. anguilla and American
eel A. rostrata have all been severely overfished with populations
on the brink of extinction.

We present a numerical solution for the dead zone model which describes the solute transport in a subsurface and horizontal flow constructed wetland. This model is a system of two mass balance equations for two conceptual areas: the main channel and the storage zone. We use finite difference schemes to determine the numerical solution of the system and we study its convergence by presenting properties related to the stability and accuracy of the schemes. Concerning the experimental results, the magnitude of the longitudinal dispersion and the extension of dead volumes is estimated for clean conditions and after a certain operating period under organic loading conditions. The results showed a considerable amount of longitudinal dispersion through the bed, which was very strong near the feeding point, indicating the occurrence of mixing and significant presence of dead zones and short-circuiting.