Temperature and oxygen in an Everglades alligator pond

The Everglades is a large subtropical marsh ecosystem. Ponds, maintained through the activity of alligators, are abundant and ecologically important components of this system. Temperature in a 18 x 12 m study pond was controlled primarily by ambient air temperature, with significant temporal lags because of thermal resistance caused by plant growth. Temperature changed seasonally being 10° to 15°C lower in summer than winter. Diurnal temperatures fluctuated 7°C in summer and 4°C in winter. Maximum temperature exceeded 34°C. Dissolved oxygen fluctuated between 50 to 85% saturation in winter to supersaturation in summer. During the dry season water levels fell and oxygen fluctuated markedly, for example from 4 to 200% saturation within a diurnal cycle.The relation of water temperature to air temperature was similar to other reported ponds but continued fluctuation in winter differed from some results from other ponds. The distinct seasonality has important effects on biological components. Fluctuation of dissolved oxygen can result from high animal density and plankton in the dry season and can lead to massive mortality of aquatic animals. The physio-chemical conditions of Everglades alligator ponds are controlled by a combination of seasonal temperature and insolation, water level changes and biologic factors such as fish density, bird predation and alligator activity.