Evaluating the Risk of Potential Acid Sulfate Soils and Habitat Modification for Mosquito Control (Runneling) in Coastal Salt Marshes: Comparing Methods and Managing the Risk

Alsemgeest, Glen P.; Dale, Patricia Ellen; Alsemgeest, D.

doi:10.1007/s00267-003-0112-4

Cited by 11 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…The study site is underlain by potential acid sulfate soils. Fortunately the runnels did not penetrate the layer and, even if they had, the increased wetness and buffering effect of seawater would probably have avoided a problem generally (Saffigna and Dale 1999;Alsemgeest et al 2005). It is reassuring that pH increased, never fell below the action level of 4, and did not show a significant effect of runnelling.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Assessing impacts of habitat modification on a subtropical salt marsh: 20 years of monitoring

Dale

2007

Wetlands Ecol Manage

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The impacts of habitat modification for mosquito control by runnelling in a sub-tropical salt marsh in eastern Australia were evaluated over 20 years on a quarterly basis. Runnels are shallow channels that connect isolated pools to the tidal inlet. Differences between the first month and the last were assessed as two snapshots in time and showed a similar nature of change between the two times for treatment and controls, though these were significant only for substrate moisture (higher in runnel samples) and salinity (lower in runnel samples). Over the whole 20 years the impacts at the Coomera site were to reduce mosquito larval populations, with small magnitude impacts on the environment. These were, for the runnel samples compared to controls: increased substrate moisture, lower substrate salinity, less dense and smaller Sporobolus and Sarcocornia, slightly lower and less saline water table and more crab holes. These differences reflected a similar direction of change for both runnel and control samples, in all the variables observed and may be associated with regional land use or climate or sea level changes. During the last 5 years substrate moisture was higher near runnels than controls and this may be a response to drought conditions over this period. The modification has had no maintenance.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Assessing impacts of habitat modification on a subtropical salt marsh: 20 years of monitoring

Dale

2007

Wetlands Ecol Manage

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“…data, 2005). Runnelling is unlikely to lead to acid sulphate problems as it increases wetness and seawater acts as a buffer to acidity (Saffigna & Dale 1999;Alsemgeest et al 2005).…”

Section: Direct Habitat Alterationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of urbanization on coastal wetland structure and function

et al. 2006

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Urbanization is a major cause of loss of coastal wetlands. Urbanization also exerts significant influences on the structure and function of coastal wetlands, mainly through modifying the hydrological and sedimentation regimes, and the dynamics of nutrients and chemical pollutants. Natural coastal wetlands are characterized by a hydrological regime comprising concentrated flow to estuarine and coastal areas during flood events, and diffused discharge into groundwater and waterways during the non-flood periods. Urbanization, through increasing the amount of impervious areas in the catchment, results in a replacement of this regime by concentrating rain runoff. Quality of run-off is also modified in urban areas, as loadings of sediment, nutrients and pollutants are increased in urban areas. While the effects of such modifications on the biota and the physical environment have been relatively well studied, there is to date little information on their impact at the ecosystem level. Methodological issues, such as a lack of sufficient replication at the whole-habitat level, the lack of suitable indices of urbanization and tools for assessing hydrological connectivity, have to be overcome to allow the effects of urbanization to be assessed at the ecosystem level. A functional model is presented to demonstrate the impact of urbanization on coastal wetland structure and function.

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“…Documented disadvantages include the occurrence of soil or water content changes, with faunal and floral impacts considered relatively minor for runnelling, but more extensive for ditching (Breitfuss et al 2005, Dale and Knight 2006, Saintilan 2009). Although habitat modification is well documented for long‐term mosquito control in salt‐marsh environments (Jones et al 2004, Alsemgeest et al 2005, Breitfuss et al 2005, Dale 2008, Saintilan 2009), it has not been documented as a best practice option for mosquito control in extensive fresh water environments. It offers an effective alternative to repeated chemical treatments, as it is a practical cost‐effective long‐term solution to reduce mosquito abundance and is potentially more ‘eco‐friendly’ than the alternative strategies (Dale et al 1989, Dale and Hulsman 1990).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat modification for mosquito control in the Ilparpa Swamp, Northern Territory, Australia

Jacups

Kurucz

Whitters

et al. 2011

Journal of Vector Ecology

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Habitat modification is an established method of effective long-term mosquito management, particularly in salt-marsh environments. It is especially pertinent when mosquitoes are known vectors of life-threatening disease and their larval breeding habitat is in close proximity to residential areas. The Ilparpa Swamp is located less than 10 km from Alice Springs, Northern Territory. Wet season rainfall, often followed by effluent discharges to the swamp from the adjacent sewage treatment plant, create ideal sites for the immature stages of the common banded mosquito Culex annulirostris (Skuse), a major vector of Murray Valley encephalitis (MVEV) and Kunjin (KUNV) viruses. Subsequent to increases in notifications of MVEV disease cases in 2000 and 2001, a drainage system was established in the Ilparpa Swamp in early 2002. This paper evaluates the drainage intervention effects. Results indicate a significant reduction in mosquito numbers following habitat modification, which remain low. There have been no seroconversions in sentinel chickens to MVEV or KUNV and no human infections from these viruses in the Alice Springs urban region since the drains were completed. Habitat modification has successfully reduced mosquito numbers and minimized the risk for mosquito-borne disease to residents in Alice Springs urban and surrounding areas, which has never before been documented in Australia. Journal of Vector Ecology 36 (2): 292-299. 2011.

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Evaluating the Risk of Potential Acid Sulfate Soils and Habitat Modification for Mosquito Control (Runneling) in Coastal Salt Marshes: Comparing Methods and Managing the Risk

Cited by 11 publications

References 16 publications

Assessing impacts of habitat modification on a subtropical salt marsh: 20 years of monitoring

Assessing impacts of habitat modification on a subtropical salt marsh: 20 years of monitoring

Impact of urbanization on coastal wetland structure and function

Habitat modification for mosquito control in the Ilparpa Swamp, Northern Territory, Australia

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