Okavango Delta Wetland Ecosystem

Okavango Delta Wetland Ecosystem

Largest Inland delta in the world Awesome example of a wetland as an ecotone
Terrestrial-a !atic linkages

Key variable to biological productivity and diversity??

Topographical Look at the Delta

"ydrology
Inflowing river #panhandle$ %ain channel and drainage rivers &ive month transit time '() loss to evaporation *ermanent and seasonal swamps +ide channels, lagoons and rain pools Interann!al variation

Lagoons and +ide--hannels

&looding Effects on *rod!ctivity

&ish "a.itat
The greater the flooding, the greater the amo!nt of fish ha.itat / Why0

1!trients

Interann!al 2ariation in &looding

Effects of Inter-ann!al 2ariation of &looding on &ish *rod!ction

"ow does variation in flooding serve to maintain the high fish prod!ction0
-onsider how years of high flooding and years of low flooding are .oth important to s!staining fish pop!lations in the delta -onsider that the inflowing river water is oligotrophic

3ole of Ecosystem Engineers

Why are hippos, elephants and termites called ecosystem engineers0 "ow does their activity affect the hydrodynamics and fish prod!ctivity within the delta0 Effect on hydrology and prod!ctivity
"ippos Elephants Termites

"ippos
Effects on hydrology

Effects on prod!ctivity

Effects on hydrology

Elephants

Effects on prod!ctivity

Termites
Effects on hydrology

Effects on prod!ctivity

Angler "eaven

African Pike

Tigerfish

Sharp-Tooth Catfish Three-Spot Tilapia Largemouth Bream

Wetlands4 Linking Terrestrial and A !atic Ecosystems