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Water temperature – State

Water temperature – State

Flow chart showing the major elements associated with water temperature management

Click on elements of the flow chart or select from the tabs below

Physical-chemical state

Water temperature not only has a direct physiological effect on biota but also influences several key processes/pressures 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 in-flows may result in stratification (thermoclines) and associated declines in water quality (e.g. anoxic/hypoxic areas).

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. Some species are more susceptible to these limits than others. Susceptible species abundance will decrease while tolerant species may increase (e.g. algal blooms) altering the community structure. Mass mortality may also occur due to anoxic/hypoxic related events.


Last updated: 22 March 2013

This page should be cited as:

Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Queensland (2013) Water temperature – State, WetlandInfo website, accessed 18 March 2024. Available at: https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/management/pressures/lacustrine-palustrine-threats/water-temperature/state.html

Queensland Government
WetlandInfo   —   Department of Environment, Science and Innovation