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Freshwater Macroinvertebrate Response To Wetland Acidification On The Swan Coastal Plain, Jill Woodhouse

Theses : Honours

Wetlands of the Swan Coastal Plain (SCP) are acidifying because extended drying periods have exposed and oxidised sulphidic sediments creating sulphuric acid and lowering wetland pH. This appears to be the ecological equivalent of both Northern Hemisphere acid rain in lakes and streams, and acid mine drainage. This research aims to describe the characteristic acidic macroinvertebrate faunal assemblage of the SCP by identifying acidophobic and acidophilic taxa, and to examine their potential as indicators of acidification for routine biological monitoring. Four linked approaches were used in the study - analysis of a database, investigation of acidified wetland case studies, wetland …