An ecological study of Bird Pond at Cape Bird: water parameters, population density and identification plants and animals

A seasonal ecological study was carried out at Bird Pond, Cape Bird. At weekly intervals the water temperature, depth, conductivity, pH and light were recorded, water samples were analysed for oxygen, alkalinity, chloride and chlorophyll and quantitative samples were taken to determine the numbers of the three main species of animals present. These measurements were also completed five times over a period of 24 hours to determine any diurnal variations. Three water samples were also taken in November, December and January for complete chemical analysis. In the laboratory, plants and animal materials from Bird Lake were identified including diatoms, algae, one species of tardigrade and four species of rotifers. The salinity tolerance range, the temperature they go dormant and the maturation time to egg laying of Adineta grandis and Philodina gregaria was determine.