Condition - Water Temperature

Physical-chemical state

Changes to the temperature of water entering a wetland can affect:

Wetland water temperature

Water temperature not only has a direct physiological effect on biota but also influences several key processes/stressors such as, oxygen solubility (i.e. dissolved oxygen levels), toxicant absorption or the toxicity of some chemical, bacteria/pathogen persistence, conductivity, pH and nutrient cycling (e.g. denitrification and nitrogen fixation rates). Hot or cold water inflows may result in stratification (thermoclines) and associated declines in water quality (e.g. anoxic/hypoxic areas).

Physical-chemical state indicators
Condition indicator: water temperature

Biological impacts

Changes to the water temperature of a wetland can result in:

A loss of sensitive species

Water temperature has a direct physiological effect on biota (e.g. affecting basic processes such as growth, mobility, reproduction, photosynthesis and respiration). However, biota have upper and lower tolerable limits outside of which will result in harm. Susceptible species abundance will decrease while tolerant species may increase (e.g. algal blooms) altering the community structure. Changes to biota physiology and behaviour may occur as well as anoxic/hypoxic related mass mortality events.

Biological impact indicators
Currently under investigation

Last updated: 21 February 2012