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https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/8104
Title: | Spatial and temporal variation in fish-assemblage structure in isolated waterholes during the 2001 dry season of an arid-zone floodplain river, Cooper Creek, Australia | Contributor(s): | Arthington, A H (author); Balcombe, S R (author); Thoms, Martin (author) ; Wilson, G A (author); Marshall, J (author) | Publication Date: | 2005 | DOI: | 10.1071/MF04111 | Handle Link: | https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/8104 | Abstract: | Spatial and temporal variation in fish-assemblage structure within isolated waterholes on the floodplains of Cooper Creek, Australia, was studied during the 2001 dry season, a period of natural drought in this arid-zone river. Spatial variation in fish-assemblage structure and the abundance of five species in disconnected waterholes early in the dry season (April 2001) were related to the extent of floodplain inundation 14 months previously, and to the interconnectedness of waterholes and waterhole habitat structure. As the dry season progressed, waterhole volumes decreased owing to evaporative water loss and structural habitat elements (anabranches, bars, boulders) became exposed. Marked changes in fish assemblage structure between the early (April) and late (September) dry season were related to habitat loss but not to water chemistry. Interactions between flow and habitat across a nested hierarchy of spatial scales (the floodplain, the waterhole and habitat patches within waterholes) were crucial to the persistence of fish assemblages through the 2001 dry season. We conclude that the magnitude, timing and frequency of floodplain inundation and natural variations in waterhole volume must be maintained if we wish to sustain the distinctive habitats and fish assemblages of this arid-zone floodplain river. | Publication Type: | Journal Article | Source of Publication: | Marine and Freshwater Research, 56(1), p. 25-35 | Publisher: | CSIRO Publishing | Place of Publication: | Australia | ISSN: | 1448-6059 1323-1650 |
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: | 040601 Geomorphology and Regolith and Landscape Evolution | Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: | 960506 Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Fresh, Ground and Surface Water Environments | Peer Reviewed: | Yes | HERDC Category Description: | C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal |
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Appears in Collections: | Journal Article |
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