Relations between trophic state indicators and plant biomass in Florida lakes

We collected quantitative data on macrophyte abundance and water quality in 319 mostly shallow, polymictic, Florida lakes to look for relationships between trophic state indicators and the biomasses of plankton algae, periphyton, and macrophytes. The lakes ranged from oligotrophic to hypereutrophic with total algal chlorophylls ranging from 1 to 241 mg m^–3. There were strong positive correlations between planktonic chlorophylls and total phosphorus and total nitrogen, but there were weak inverse relationships between the densities of periphyton and the trophic state indicators total phosphorus, total nitrogen and algal chlorophyll and a positive relationship with Secchi depth. There was no predictable relationship between the abundance of emergent, floating-leaved, and submersed aquatic vegetation and the trophic state indicators. It was only at the highest levels of nutrient concentrations that submersed macrophytes were predictably absent and the lakes were algal dominated. Below these levels, macrophyte abundance could be high or low. The phosphorus–chlorophyll and phosphorus–Secchi depth relationships were not influenced by the amounts of aquatic vegetation present indicating that the role of macrophytes in clearing lakes may be primarily to reduce nutrient concentrations for a given level of loading. Rather than nutrient concentrations controlling macrophyte abundance, it seems that macrophytes acted to modify nutrient concentrations.     

Vertical root distribution in relation to soil properties in New Jersey Pinelands forests

Vertical distribution of root density (length per unit soil volume) and abundance (length per unit ground surface area) to a depth of 1.5 m or to the depth of the water table and their relationships with soil properties and tree basal area were examined in 36 soil profiles of pine-oak and oak-pine forests of the New Jersey Pinelands. Soil morphology were almost uniform within the forest type and characterized by the presence of high coarse fragment contents in the C horizon in oak-pine uplands; by the spodic B horizon and water table in the C horizon in pine-oak lowlands; by the sandy soil throughout the profile in pine-oak uplands; and by the firm argillic B horizon in pine-oak plains. Root density decreased from ranges of 44423–133369 m m^-3 in the 0–5 cm depth in all the forest types to 1900–5593 m m^-3 in the 100–150 cm depth in all the forest types except in pine-oak lowlands. Total profile root density and abundance was in the order: oak-pine uplands>pine-oak lowlands>pine-oak uplands>pine-oak plains. Root density correlated positively with organic C, total N, water soluble P, exchangeable Ca, Mg, K, Al, Fe, and cation exchange capacity, and negatively with bulk density, coarse fraction content, and pH, whereas root abundance correlated positively with organic C, total N, water soluble P, exchangeable Ca, Mg, K, and Fe, and negatively with bulk density. No correlation existed between root density and abundance with tree basal area. Higher root density in the E horizon of oak-pine uplands as compared to the other forest types was associated with high nutrient content; higher root density in the C horizon of pine-oak lowlands was associated with a shallow water table beneath the horizon; and lower root densities in the B and C horizons of pine-oak plains were associated with the presence of a firm clay layer in the B horizon.     

Production and fate of faecal pellets during summer in an East Antarctic fjord

The abundance of small faecal pellets is high in marine waters. Little is known, however, about the processes governing their production and fate in the water column. We investigated faecal pellet production and flux in relation to the phytoplankton and copepod assemblages present in Ellis Fjord, Antarctica. Results show that the phytoplankton community shifted from a dominance of diatoms to that of a cryptomonad species during late January. This coincided with an increase in abundance of the small copepods Paralabidocera antarctica and Oithona similis, although Oncaea curvata was still the dominant species. The mean faecal pellet flux was 9943 pellets m^–2 d^–1. Only 37% of the faecal pellet flux at 5 m sedimented to 10 m depth, 15% to 20 m, and 12% to 40 m depth. Our results suggest that recycling of faecal pellets by copepods contributes to this decreased flux with increasing depth, which concurs with results from large scale oceanic studies. Additionally, we propose that the summer ice melt changes the physical characteristics of the water column and the phytoplankton species abundance and distribution; both of which potentially impact on the distribution and abundance of copepods, thereby regulating faecal pellet flux.     

Distribution,abundance and ecology of the meiofauna in a tropical estuary along the west coast of India

The distribution and abundance of subtidal meiofauna in Mandovi estuary of Goa were studied from June 1983 to June 1984. Monthly faunal abundance ranged from 491 to 2791/10 cm² and dry weight biomass from 0.16 to 2.80 mg 10 cm². Free living nematodes were the dominant group contributing over 75% of the total density and 30 to 42% of the total biomass. Among nematodes the deposit feeders were more abundant in fine muddy substratum while epigrowth feeders dominated in sandy substratum.Harpacticoids were next, comprising 6.9 to 8.7% of the total meiofauna number, followed by turbellaria (3.8–4.5%), polychaeta (2.8–3.2%) and ostracods (1.6–4.5%) The contribution of other groups to faunal density was 4.5–6.2%. In the biomass the ostracods contributed most (29.8–54.7%), followed by nematodes (23.8–34.6%). Over 60% of the fauna occurred in the top 2 cm of the sediment and the faunal density reduced significantly with increasing depth in the sediment. The vertical distribution of meiofauna was positively correlated to the vertical distribution of Eh, chlorophyll a and interstitial water. Seasonality was greatly influenced by the south-west monsoon and the fauna quickly repopulated after the monsoon. Salinity, temperature and food influenced the faunal abundance.     

Effects of water movement on prey capture and distribution of reef corals

Coral reefs comprise a variety of microhabitats, each with a characteristic pattern of water movement. Variation in flow microhabitat is likely to influence the distribution and abundance of suspension feeders, including the corals. Water flow was measured concurrently with wave heights at 8 depths along the forereef slope in Salt River Canyon, St Croix, U.S.V.I. The greatest flow speeds occurred on the shallow forereef at 7 m depth, where oscillatory wave-induced flow reached speeds over 50 cm s^–1. From 7 m to at least 15 m depth, flow decreased and was primarily bidirectional. Below 15 m depth, flow decreased even further, to less than one fifth of that experienced by shallow corals, and was unidirectional. The relationship between particle capture by the corals Meandrina meandrites and Madracis decactis and water flow was studied in the field. Colony morphology and the resulting modification of flow influenced the relationship of flow to feeding success; prey capture by the branching Madracis colonies increased with flow, while that of the flat Meandrina colonies did not. Such relationships may contribute to differences in distribution of corals of divergent morphologies. In transect surveys from 7 to 45 m depth,; branching and mounding corals with tentacular feeding modes were most common in the shallow forereef habitats, and plating corals with small polyps (ciliary mucus feeders) were ubiquitous in the deeper zones.This paper was presented at the Fifth International Conference on Coelenterate Biology at Southampton, UK in July 1989. A synopsis appears in the Proceedings (Hydrobiologia 216/217: 247–248, 1991).This paper was presented at the Fifth International Conference on Coelenterate Biology at Southampton, UK in July 1989. A synopsis appears in the Proceedings (Hydrobiologia 216/217: 247–248, 1991).     

Vertical distributions and relations of euphausiid populations off Elephant Island,March 1984

Summary Distributional relationships are described for post-larval and larval Euphausia superba and Thysanoessa sp. (probably macrura) and post-larval Euphausia frigida collected in 0–70/80 m and 0–175/200 m depth ranges with a MOCNESS sampler north of Elephant Island (61°S, 55°W) during 17–23 March 1984. Larval E. superba (predominantly calyptopes stage 2 and 3) were rare shallower than 80 m at night. Day catches of post-larval E. suberba were small and night catches were primarily near the top of the thermocline above 50 m depth. Thysanoessa sp. occurred throughout the 0–200 m depth range and was abundant in the upper 80 m both night and day. E. frigida migrated to the upper 80 m at night from deeper day depths. Larval stages of E. superba and bost-larval stages of all three species demonstrated independent and variable vertical distribution patterns both night and day. Changes in E. superba abundance and distributional patterns could to a certain extent be associated with observed environmental changes. An increase in larval and decrease in post-larval E. superba abundances between 0–80 m was associated with an intrusion of cold water at depth. At night, vertically restricted concentrations of post-larval E. superba were associated with shallow mixed layer depths, and a significant vertical separation of developmental stages and size categories was observed only during periods of stratification in the upper 80 m. Fluctuations in the distribution and abundance of Thysanoessa sp. and distribution of E. frigida did not appear to be influenced by physical parameters within the upper 80 m. Within the 0–80 m depth range, the distributions of these two species differed from each other and from E. superba and showed large tow to tow variability that could not be related to physical parameters in the upper water column.     

Depth Distribution and Abundance of the Common Bully, Gobiomorphus cotidianus (Eleotridae), in Three Oligotrophic New Zealand Lakes, One of which is Turbid

The depth distribution of the common bully, Gobiomorphus cotidianus, a small benthic forage fish, was measured by trapping at set depths from 0–70m in three large oligotrophic lakes, including one where inorganic sediment from a glacially-fed river produces turbid conditions. Bullies occurred at all depths from 0.5–70m in the clear lakes, but none were present below 25m in the turbid lake. Two groups of bullies were present in the clear lakes; a high-density, littoral stock at depths of 0.5–25m, and a low-density, profundal stock at depths of 30–70m. These groups were further distinguished by differing buoyancy requirements and feeding habits. The swimbladders of littoral bullies contained gas, but those of the profundal bullies, which fed more than littoral bullies by both day and night, did not. The variation in mean CPUE with depth within the littoral zone was not related to water temperature, oxygen concentration, or conductivity. Nor was it related to a reduction in light levels or to reduced water transparency caused by increased turbidity. It may therefore be controlled by biotic factors. The absence of a profundal stock below the littoral zone in the turbid lake indicates that the settlement of fines from turbid inputs may affect bully abundance in deeper waters. As conventional measures of the abundance of benthic fish in lakes are often restricted to littoral habitats, and do not reflect changes in abundance with depth, an index of overall abundance based on depth distribution was developed to allow comparisons between lakes.     

Effect of hydraulics,bed load grain size and water factors on habitat and abundance of Narapa bonettoi Righi & Varela, 1983 of the Upper Paraná River,Brazil

A cross-section of the upper Paraná was studied in order to evaluate which hydraulic, sedimentary and water variables influenced on the spatial – temporal distribution and abundance of the Narapa bonettoi Righi & Varela, 1983 population. From June 1993 to February 1995, data on discharge, channel morphology, flow velocity, sediment suspended concentration and depth, water variables and benthic community were obtained. Data were analyzed by principal component analysis – PCA. The highest density of N. bonettoi occurred at the site with coarser sediments and stable bottom morphology. The lowest density was recorded at the site that presented less stable channel morphology. Temporal variation is controlled by hydrological regime and N. bonettoi cycle life whereas spatial distribution is tightly associated with channel stability.     

Correlates of Environmental Variables with Patterns in the Distribution and Abundance of Two Anemonefishes (Pomacentridae: Amphiprion) on an Eastern Australian Sub-tropical Reef System

The relationship between characteristics of the reef environment and variations in the distribution and abundance of the anemonefishes Amphiprion akindynos and A. latezonatus was investigated at North Solitary Island, a sub-tropical rocky reef system on the east coast of Australia. During the summers of 1994 and 1995, fish densities and host sea-anemone cover were assessed on replicate 25m transects at sites where host sea-anemones form semi-contiguous mats throughout the 6–21m depth range. Multiple regression analyses indicated that environmental variables accounted for 65–71% and 61–80% of the variations in the number of A. akindynos and A. latezonatus among-sites, respectively. Among-habitat comparisons indicated that A. latezonatus densities were positively correlated with depth (r=0.45–0.90), whereas A. akindynos showed no consistent depth-related abundance patterns. Poor correlations (p>0.05) between the densities of each species on transect lines suggested that present-day competition was unlikely to determine the preference of A. latezonatus for deeper depths. Correlations between host sea-anemone cover and fish densities at the within-habitat (depth) scale were comparatively stronger than correlations at among-habitats in both species. These results suggest that among-habitat comparisons can confound finer scale fish-habitat associations within habitat (depth) zones. Evidence suggests that while sea-anemone cover does, to an extent, regulate the local ecology of anemonefishes, other factors are also likely to interact to limit their densities.     

Habitat and population size of the coelacanth Latimeria chalumnae at Grand Comoro

Synopsis In 1987 and 1989 coelacanths were observed for the first time in their natural habitat with the help of submersibles. Coelacanths were found between 150–253 m depth, their preferential depth seems to be around 200 m; the water temperature ranged between 16.5–22.8° C. During the day coelacanths aggregate in small non-aggressive groups in sheltered lava-caves. Caves might be a limiting factor for distribution. At night they leave the caves for hunting by drifting singly along the steep lava slopes. They migrate between different caves located within a large home range covering more than 8 km coastline. Coelacanths are site-attached, some for a period of at least 2 years. Our own observations and earlier catch records show that only the west coast of Grand Comoro is a suitable coelacanth habitat with more structural complexity and prey fish abundance than other coastlines of the island. From our survey we estimated a total coelacanth population off Grand Comoro to be 150–210 individuals; a saturated population would be 370–510 individuals. This small relict population seems to be stable. International protection of coelacanths against commercial interests is needed     

Distribution and microhabitats of freshwater mussels in waterbodies in the terrestrialized floodplains of a lowland river

Even when anthropogenically altered, river floodplains continue to contribute to biodiversity. This study examined the distribution of freshwater mussels in relation to environmental factors in waterbodies in the terrestrialized floodplain of a lowland river. Mussels were captured, and environmental measurements were taken in November of 2013 and 2014 in quadrats established in three floodplain waterbodies (FWBs), which were isolated from the main river channel. Among the three FWBs, mussel abundance was highest in a shallow FWB (depth range 18–45 cm) that had intermediate conditions of mud depth and fine sediment rate. Mussel abundance showed a hump-shaped relationship with water depth (the peak 45–50 cm) and mud depth (the peak 8–12 cm). Mussel abundance was also negatively related to the abundance of benthic litter. Litter abundance was positively related to branch abundance and the presence of tree cover, and negatively related to the distance to tree cover, indicating that benthic litter was derived from riparian trees. Our results indicate that relatively shallow (≤ 50 cm) FWBs with moderately accumulated mud, which are not scoured even during flooding, appear to be suitable habitats for mussels. Moreover, it is possible that riparian trees negatively impact mussel distribution in FWBs. Possible short-term measures for improving mussel habitat in FWBs may include the elimination of riparian trees and benthic litter.     

Historical changes in herbaceous wetland distribution induced by hydrological conditions in Lake Saint-Pierre (St. Lawrence River,Quebec, Canada)

Historical changes (1961–2002) in the distribution of herbaceous wetland plant associations were inferred from the hydrological regime of Lake Saint-Pierre, a 312 km² broadening of the St. Lawrence River (Quebec, Canada), to assess the cumulative effects of human interventions and climatic variability. Relative abundance index (height × percent cover) of wetland plants in 630 field quadrats sampled at 13 sites (1999–2002) were used to derive a model predicting the occurrence of nine herbaceous plant classes with a 71% (24–84%) accuracy. Wetland types included seasonally dry (meadows), mudflats and wet (low marshes and submerged) assemblages. Over the 1961–2002 period, the total surface area of Lake Saint-Pierre herbaceous wetlands ranged between 11 (in 1972) and 128 (in 2001) km² and was negatively correlated (Spearman r = –0.86, p < 0.0001) to average water level during the current growing season. Within-season variability and level conditions over the previous season defined 5 marsh assemblages characterized by different species composition, relative abundance and diversity. Significant hydrological variables included quadrat elevation, water depth, number of days flooded and depth variability experienced over the current and/or previous growth seasons. The hydrological model suggests that for a given level, wetland plant assemblages differed markedly whether the multi-year sequence of water levels was rising or falling. Lake Saint-Pierre alternated between three broad-scale wetland configurations, dominated by meadows and open marsh with floating-leaved vegetation (in the 1960s), scattered tall Scirpus marshes (in the 1970s and early 1980s) and closed marsh with aggressive emergents (since 1996). The strong response of Lake Saint-Pierre wetlands to hydrological conditions in the current and previous growth seasons underlines their vulnerability to future water level variations resulting from regulation and climate variability.     

Observations on the biology of nymphs of Povilla Adusta Navas (Ephemeroptera: Polymitarchidae) in Lake Kainji,Nigeria

Observations onPovilla adusta Navas nymphs in Lake Kainji revealed that seasonal fluctuations in abundance were due to a shortage of food during the period of rising lake level rather than a depletion of oxygen in the water column; this shortage was caused by the increased turbidity of the flood waters restricting the growth of both planktonic and periphytic algae. Planktonic algae apparently formed the diet of nymphs <4–6 mm and also of larger nymphs if their preferred diet of periphytic algae was in short supply. Both depth distribution and individual size of the nymphs were closely related to the distribution of periphytic algae. Depth distribution patterns of the nymphs revealed a peak between 2–4 m below the surface.The dimensions of the nymphs and the duration of the aquatic stages (3–4 months) in Lake Kainji correspond closely with results obtained elsewhere as does the mean percentage of males in the population (28%±10%). Seasonal fluctuations in the sex ratio were apparently caused by variations in the intensity of predation.Department of Zoology, University of Reading     

Diversity and spatial pattern of coral communities in the Red Sea upper twilight zone

Summary This is the first study based on numerical analysis of the abundance of 11 scleractinian corals of depths at between 100–210 m in the Red Sea twilight zone. Two distinct coral communities were found: a Leptoseris fragilis community at a depth of 100–130 m (zone 1) and a Dendrophillia horsti community below 130 m (zone 2, 3). Population densities and coral coverage are very low; distribution of individuals is highly clumped. Highest observed densities on 100 m² were 2720 individuals for L. fraglis, 2720 for D. horsti and 2260 for Javania insignis. Calculated coverage rates were maximally 3.6% (L. fragilis), 0.08% (D. horsti) and 0.11% (J. insignis). L. fragilis, the only symbiont bearing coral, was very abundant. It has an unusual depth range for a photosynthesising coral. Coral density is only weakly correlated with hard bottom coverage. Species diversity with an average of 8 species is highest at 120–170 m and decreases in shallower and deeper water. The study depth range is a transient zone for coral distribution. It contains the upper distribution limits of a few deep sea corals and the lower ones of several shallower water species. Ahermatypic corals, collected at 160–170 m depth, were transplanted from their original depth to 159, 118, 70 and 40 m; after one year most species survived transplantation far beyond their upper distributional limits. The symbiotic L. fragilis, collected at 120 m, survived transplantation to deep water (159 m) as well as shallow zones (90, 70 and 40 m). The study demonstrates the feasibility of line-transect methods for coral community studies with a submersible.     

Abundance and spatial distribution of Artemia salina in Lake Abert,Oregon

In 1981–1982 Abert Lake had an area of 200 km², with a mean depth of 2.5 m and a total dissolved salt concentration of 82 gl^-1. The spatial distribution and abundance of the brine shrimp, Artemia salina, were monitored for 1981–1982. In 1981 during the midsummer months, with sampling primarily in the eastern side of Abert Lake, brine shrimp populations showed peak densities of 2–4 ind. 1^-1. In 1982, peak abundance occurred in early July and ranged between 5–8 ind. 1^-1. Lakewide estimates of brine shrimp derived from 14 collecting stations and assuming a uniform distribution over the lake resulted in estimates of lakewide abundance of 3 × 10¹¹ adults with a total biomass of 7 × 10⁶ kg. The major algal species in the lake was a benthic filamentous green alga (Ctenocladus circinnatus).     

Space use and feeding patterns of an offshore fish assemblage in a shallow mesotrophic lake

Synopsis Diel and spring/summer space-use and feeding patterns were investigated in an assemblage dominated by five fish species occupying the offshore waters of Lake Opinicon, a shallow mesotrophic lake in southeastern Ontario. We assessed fish distribution and diel movement in May and July through the use of gill nets set at various depths in 1.5–7.0 m depth contour zones, supplemented by observations of fish reaction to the nets. Golden shiners and alewives occupied the upper part of the water column, with the former concentrated at the littoral zone-open water interface, and the latter in the open water. Yellow perch occupied the lower part of the water column in all depth contours. Bluegills were abundant in the upper to midwater depths in all contour zones; black crappies were concentrated in the 2.5–3.5 m zones. All of these species showed either a diel or a spring-summer change in distribution pattern. Bluegills were more abundant in offshore locations in July, whereas golden shiners and yellow perch were more abundant onshore in May. Alewives and black crappies showed distinct diel movements in July, as they were largely absent from the study area during the day, but returned at night to feed. In general, there was more spatial separation among the five species in July than in May.Patterns of spatial distribution among the species generally corresponded with the type and variety of prey consumed, and with diel movement of prey in the case of water column feeders. Other factors that apparently affected spatial distribution and seasonal shifts in this assemblage were risk of predation (golden shiner), spawning activity (alewife), and a decline in prey abundance from spring to summer (bluegill and yellow perch).     

The distribution of the Euchaetidae (Copepoda: Calanoida) around South Georgia

Summary Fourteen species of the genus Euchaeta (Copepoda: Calanoida) were encountered during two cruises undertaken around South Georgia during November–December 1981 (Summer) and July–August 1983 (Winter). All 14 species were present in summer but only nine in winter. The distribution of the majority of species centered on the mesopelagic (500–1000 m) and bathypelagic (1000–2000 m) depth horizons. During both cruises, four species, Euchaeta Antarctica, E. biloba, E. rasa and E. farrani were numerically dominant. Although all four species had a wide depth distribution, E. Antarctica and E. biloba had distributions centered around the 250–500 m (epi-mesopelagic) and mesopelagic depth horizons. E. rasa was most abundant in the mesopelagic whereas E. farrani, the largest species encountered, was centered on the mesopelagic and bathypelagic depth horizons. Two species, E. Antarctica and E. biloba commonly occurred in the surface 250 m, the former being far more abundant especially over the shelf and shelf break areas, with a high abundance of copepodite stages IV and V being present in summer and adults in winter.     

Vertical distribution of benthic nematodes in an oligotrophic lake: seasonality, species and age segregation

The vertical distribution of nematodes up to 20 cm sediment depth was studied over a one-year period in the alpine, oligotrophic lake Königssee. Ten water depths were examined, four of which correspond to the littoral (1 m, 2 m, 5 m, 10 m), three to the littoriprofundal (15 m, 20 m, 30 m) and three to the profundal (60 m, 120 m, 190 m). The sediment was devided into four layers (0–2 cm, 2–5 cm, 5–10 cm and 10–20 cm). (1) The highest proportion of nematodes was found in the top layer. Out of 45 263 nematodes, 89% were found in the first 5 cm of the sediment and only 1 % deeper than 10 cm. (2) The proportion of nematodes in the top layer increased along with water depth. Water depth was a better predictor of percentage of nematodes in the top layer than particle size or content of organic carbon in the sediment. (3) There were considerable differences among species in their vertical distribution in the sediment. (4) There was a significant trend for juveniles to occupy more superficial layers than adults across various species. (5) There are time related vertical preferences among adults and juveniles of several nematode species across the year, suggesting vertical migration in the sediment (e.g. Aphanolaimus aquaticus Daday, Eumonhystera longicaudatula Gerlach & Riemann, Tobrilus gracilis Bastian, Monhystera paludicola de Man, Ethmolaimus pratensis de Man and Ironus tenuicaudatus de Man). The factors determining the vertical variation in nematode abundance in freshwater systems across space and time are still unknown.     

Vertical Distribution of the Far East Trepang Apostichopus japonicusin Vostok Bay,Sea of Japan

The abundance, weight, and age structure of aggregations of the Far East trepang Apostichopus japonicuswere studied in Vostok Bay, Sea of Japan, during the first part of September 2000. The highest density of aggregations (8.3 ± 0.5 ind/m²) and biomass (131.88 ± 10.50 g/m²) of animals was characteristic for coastal sites at the depth 0.5–1.5 m. With anincrease in depth the biomass and density of A. japonicusreduced 1.5 and 3 (depth 5–6 m), 220 and 830 times (depth 8–15 m) respectively. The ratio of large animals concurrently increased in the aggregation structure. The specifics of the distribution and spatial variability of the aggregation structure are discussed in relation to uncontrolled fishing of holothurians of large sizes.     

Water-level fluctuations in North American prairie wetlands

Oscillatory water-level fluctuations are reversible changes in water levels around a long-term mean. Long-term water-level studies in wetlands in the prairie pothole region of North America and proxy data (e.g., tree rings) for water levels in this region indicate that oscillatory water-level fluctuations have occurred for thousands of years. Because there has been no standard set of terms to describe oscillatory water-level fluctuations, some terminology is proposed that is based on previous work on riverine wetlands. Changes in prairie wetland vegetation caused by oscillating water levels are called wet–dry cycles. Field studies indicate that two kinds of vegetation change are common during wet–dry cycles, fluctuations and successions. Fluctuations are changes in the relative abundance of species between the wet and dry phases of the cycles. They occur whenever the range of water levels during a cycle is small (ca. 50 cm), as in seasonal wetlands. Succesions are changes in species composition. They occur wherever the range of water levels is large (ca. 1.5–2.0 m), as in semi-permanent wetlands. During successions, high water levels during the wet phase can typically eliminate most emergent species and low or no water during the dry phase allows emergent species to become re-established from seed and terrestrial annuals to dominate the vegetation. Experimental studies at the ecosystem- and species-level have confirmed observations made during field studies of semi-permanent wetlands, e.g., that water depth tolerance is the primary determinant of distribution of emergent species. Both qualitative and quantitative assembly-rule models of wet–dry cycles have been developed. When adequate data are available, the latest quantitative models can accurately predict changes in composition and distribution of emergent vegetation in semi-permanent wetlands during all or parts of a wet–dry cycle.