Hydrology and Ecology of Freshwater Wetlands in Central Florida - A Primer

During 1979-81, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted a large-scale study of the Apalachicola River in northwest Florida, the largest and one of the most economically important rivers in the State. Termed the Apalachicola River Quality Assessment, the study emphasized interrelations among hydrodynamics, the floodplain forest, and the nutrient-detritus flow through the river system to the estuary. This report summarizes major findings of the study. Data on accumulation of toxic substances in sediments and benthic organisms in the river were also collected. Because of the multiple uses aDepartment of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106;bMarine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106; Find this author on Google Scholar. Find this author on PubMed. River hydrology has been identified as a driver that shapes the ecological functioning of rivers (12). River-flow regimes are likely to have a profound impact on the resultant influence that H. amphibius has on the chemistry and ecology of the rivers it inhabits (5). In sub-Saharan Africa, many rivers are ephemeral and experience reduced flow during the dry season (13). Site Description. The study was conducted in the Ruaha National Park in central Tanzania (7°42′ S, 34°54′ E), which forms part of the Great Ruaha ecosystem.