Answer to Question #183148 in Geography for Solomon Alemu

Question

Limnology and Wetland Management

                    Submission date: April 24, 2021

General instructions: All questions must be attempted and the maximum page of the assignment should not exceed 6 pages. It has to be readable and to the point as much as possible.

Questions

1. Compare and contrast lakes and ponds using different criteria.

2. Describe the detailed characteristics of oligotrophic, mesotrophic and eutrophic lakes.

3. Describe the physico-chemical parameters (To, DO, pH, Turbidity, etc.) of Lakes Ziway, Koka, Hawassa and Chamo in a summarized format.

4. Describe the limiting nutrient concept of freshwater ecosystems.

5. Explain the mixing patterns in lakes in detail with examples for each of the patterns.

Answer 1

1. Lakes are much deeper and cover larger surface area as compared to ponds.

2. Oligotrophic lake carries highly transparent water with a moderate number of organisms. Eutrophic lakea host a large number of organisms but it's not as clear as oligotrophic. On the other hand, mesotrophic cover larger surface area than the previous two and has moderate alkalinity and nutrients.

3. The physicochemical parameters of the mentioned lakes are moderate since most of them are clear and contain moderate alkalinity and nutrients which support larger numbers of organisms in them.

4. The limiting nutrient in freshwater ecosystem is phosphorus. It controls the pace at which aquatic plants and algae are produced.

5. Mixing patterns in lakes is brought about by winds, in flowing and out flowing water. Wind influences the surface water in lakes, but its ability to mix the entire water is greatly reduced in summer-stratified lakes.