Technical Reports: Methods—The Application of Temperature and Light Intensity as Intermittency Sensors in a Temporary Pond

Abstract

AbstractAs climate change progresses, hydrological regimes of temporary and perennial water bodies are projected to change, affecting biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Researchers have successfully employed the use of satellite imagery, camera traps and site visits to map these changes in hydrological regimes. Data loggers of conductivity have also been used in mapping hydrological regimes, but the use of data loggers of temperature and light intensity is uncommon. Using validated data of 213 days of the aquatic and terrestrial phases of a temporary pond, we show that metrics of temperature and light intensity can be used to discern hydrological state. The aquatic phase had lower measures of both parameters when compared to the terrestrial phase. This was attributed to the high specific heat of the aquatic environment and the absorption and redirection of light in water. The most powerful metrics in discerning hydrological state were diel temperature range, diel maximum temperature and light intensity standard deviation. Greater distinctive power was obtained through the use of multiple metrics of the parameters. In addition, key events such as flooding and drying were identifiable within metrics of both parameters. High‐resolution temperature and light intensity data are able to aid in understanding the dynamics of hydrological state and can be used to monitor ecosystem functions amid changes in temporary and perennial water bodies.