Files
Abstract
In order to assess the efficacy of using invertebrates to assess impacts on wetlands, three wetland habitats were studied. In the Okefenokee Swamp, invertebrates were used to determine concentrations of the heavy metal mercury. Levels of mercury were higher in amphipods than either odonates or crayfish. Invertebrates were useful for monitoring temporal changes in mercury bioavailability. In a forested floodplain system, the impacts of logging on invertebrates were determined. Numbers of several invertebrate taxa decreased in harvested treatments as compared to control treatments, while others increased. In order to determine the effects of peripheral tree harvest on invertebrate numbers, isolated depressional wetlands were studied. Invertebrate numbers did not change in depressional wetlands after peripheral logging.