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Light availability and productivity

Light is important in wetlands because it is necessary for plants (algae and macrophytes) to undertake photosynthesis.

During photosynthesis, inorganic carbon (CO2) is transformed into carbohydrates.

Littoral benthic algae Photo by Water Planning Ecology Group, DSITIA

Quick facts

Turbidity
is strongly influenced by river flows and run-off. Turbidity recorded in the Darling River during a drought increased twenty-fold during a flood event.[3]

Information on this topic is available at the following web page:

Phormidium cf puteale Photo by Water Planning Ecology Group, DSITIA

Surrounding vegetation shades wetlands, decreasing the amount of sunlight reaching the water surface and reducing daily and seasonal extremes of water temperature. Water temperature influences pH and dissolved oxygen concentration, which affects the species composition and abundance of invertebrates and fish[2].

Shading controls primary productivity within the wetland by reducing light availability. The degree of shade created by vegetation is influenced by several factors, including canopy height, foliage density, wetland width and orientation, topography, latitude and season. The effect of shading on the structure and function of wetland ecosystems is greatest in small wetlands[1].


References

  1. ^ Bunn, SE, Mosisch, T & Davies, PM (2002), 'Chapter 3: Temperature and light', Riparian Land Management Guidelines, Volume One. Part A: Principles of Sound Management, Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation (LWRRDC), Canberra, eds. S Lovett & P Price.
  2. ^ Rutherford, JC, Marsh, NA, Davies, PM & Bunn, SE (2004), 'Effects of patchy shade on stream water temperature: how quickly do small streams heat and cool?', Marine and Freshwater Research, vol. 55, pp. 737-748, CSIRO.
  3. ^ Shafron, M, Croome, R & Rolls, J (1990), 'Water Quality', in N Mackay & D Eastburn (eds), The Murray, Murray Darling Basin Commission, Canberra, pp. 147-145.

Last updated: 22 March 2013

This page should be cited as:

Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Queensland (2013) Light availability and productivity, WetlandInfo website, accessed 18 March 2024. Available at: https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/ecology/processes-systems/productivity/

Queensland Government
WetlandInfo   —   Department of Environment, Science and Innovation