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Factors affecting mosquito populations in created wetlands

Yadav, Priyanka

Abstract Details

2009, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Environmental Science.
Constructed, created and restored wetlands are gaining popularity due to multiple benefits they provide. However, there is a concern that wetlands increase mosquito breeding in urban areas. This is especially due to the recent concern regarding mosquito borne viral encephalitis and other diseases. Published studies to quantify mosquito population in constructed and natural wetlands are inconclusive. This study quantified the population of mosquitoes from two experimental flow-through created wetlands and two stormwater fed wetland at the Olentangy River Wetland Research Park (ORWRP) in Columbus, Ohio in summer. Sampled mosquitoes were identified to species level to investigate their disease vector potential. The study also compared mono specific and multispecies small (1 m2) mesocosms being used for another experiment. The flow-through created wetlands were less conducive to mosquito breeding compared to the pond (p<0.00001) and stormwater wetland (p=0.002). Outflow regions and emergent vegetation sites in the flow-through wetlands were most conducive to mosquito breeding than were inflows (p=0.009) and floating vegetation sites (p=0.023). Mixed vegetation communities (Sparganium eurycarpum, Juncus effusus, and Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani) rather than mono specific Typha communities provided most conducive environment for mosquito breeding (p<0.0001). Mesocosm plots with steady inflow (10 cm depth) and with deep water (20 cm) in summer and shallow water (5 cm) in spring had higher mosquito densities than did mesocosm plots with pulsed flow (10 cm depth with inflow rate according to the river stage) and deep water (20 cm) in spring and shallow water (5 cm) in fall. Among water quality parameters, conductivity (p=0.004) and, to a lesser extent, dissolved oxygen (p=0.052) correlated with mosquito larval density (adjusted R2 of 0.67). Six mosquito species identified in all water bodies were Cx. pipiens, Cx. salinarius, Cx. restuans, Ur. sapphirina, An. quadrimaculatus, and An. punctipennis. Among these Cx. pipiens and Cx. salinarius are both avian and mammalian blood feeders and hence are potential bridge vectors of the encephalitis viruses. An. quadrimaculatus, one of the most potent vector of malaria in U.S. and also a major host of the nematode that causes dog heartworm, was present in all the water bodies. Cx. pipiens was the dominant mosquito species in all the water bodies sampled. The information obtained can be incorporated in construction design of wetlands, can be used in the future to target mosquito control tactics and can provide baseline at the ORWRP for future surveillance.
Parwinder Grewal, PhD (Advisor)
Timothy Buckley, PhD (Committee Member)
Woodbridge A. Foster, PhD (Committee Member)
William J. Mitsch, PhD (Committee Member)
61 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Yadav, P. (2009). Factors affecting mosquito populations in created wetlands [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1253029098

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Yadav, Priyanka. Factors affecting mosquito populations in created wetlands. 2009. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1253029098.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Yadav, Priyanka. "Factors affecting mosquito populations in created wetlands." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1253029098

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)