Abstract
The distribution and abundance of waterbirds along sewage treatment gradients at the Western Treatment Plant (Victoria, Australia) were studied in late summer/early autumn 2000. In general, the highest densities and diversity of waterbirds, and of zooplankton, were found in the ponds towards the end of a treatment series. Filter-feeding waterfowl (Anatidae) probably used these ponds because of the availability of zooplankton as a food-source. Dissolved oxygen concentration generally increased along the treatment gradient and un-ionised sulphide concentration decreased, and it is possible that either one, or both, of these played a key role in determining the distribution of zooplankton.
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Hamilton, A.J., Robinson, W., Taylor, I.R. et al. The ecology of sewage treatment gradients in relation to their use by waterbirds. Hydrobiologia 534, 91–108 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-004-1415-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-004-1415-z