Reed Beds Research Articles

Waste Water Treatment by Using Reed Bed System

The waste water generated from the boys hostel and girls hostel SIT campus were collected andanalyzed. Conventional treatment method and the method of purification using Reed bed for the treatment of effluent were compared. The plant used for this purpose was Setaria italica and ornamental plant which is locally known as Foxtail millet (Thinai) and Flax lily. The experiment was conducted with the Primary treated sewage taken from the Sewage Treatment Plant (SIT STP) of our campus. From the experiment it is found that the one with Reed Bed system givesa better quality treated water vis-à-vis the campus STP treated water. Hence, the filter bed of SIT STP is planted with Setaria italica and ornamental plant as a trial run. The project presents the method of construction of root zone bed and the effectiveness of removal of various contaminants using this root zone treatment process. The results for raw water and treated water samples were compared and discussed

Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of a Semi-Aquatic Reptile Community in Caspian Reed Bed Ecosystems

Reed bed ecosystems are crucial for the survival of complex animal communities in Europe and Western Asia, but have been subjected to considerable decline, especially in beds in eutrophic shallow lakes, throughout Europe during the last decades. In Western Asia, however, these ecosystems are still wide and ecologically intact, and support highly biodiverse communities of species, including some highly threatened taxa. Here, we studied the spatio-temporal community dynamics of semi-aquatic reptiles in a wide reed bed biotope in Azerbaijan, and present conservation considerations for its optimal management for the survival of the authochtonous reptile species. Three reptile species (two snakes, Natrix natrix and Natrix tessellata, and one turtle Emys orbicularis persica) were found in the study area. Activity intensity was not even throughout the years, and was significantly more related to ambient temperatures in 2016 than in 2017. Interestingly, amphipod abundance was also significantly different between years, and correlated well with the differences in activity patterns observed in a turtle species. There were complex spatio-temporal patterns exhibited by the reptile species at the study area, with an excess of reptile individuals in the high density reed bed habitat during summertime whereas there was an excess of individuals in the open reed bed habitat in spring and autumn. This evidence suggests that there should be seasonal interhabitat movements of reptiles at the study area, and that the reed beds are not perceived as a homogeneous habitat by reptiles. Several hypotheses are presented to explain these unexpected spatio-temporal patterns by reptiles in reed beds. Our study clearly shows that, in order to enhance the conservation of reptiles, it is important to keep a mosaic of areas with dense reed stands (high density of young stems) and of open reed stands (lower density of older stems), thus increasing habitat heterogeneity and favouring small-scale ecological key-structures.

Performance of pilot Hybrid Reed Bed constructed wetland with aeration system on nutrient removal for domestic wastewater treatment

A hybrid reed bed constructed wetland (HRBCW) with aeration system was employed in three-stages; a Surface-Flow (SF) system, a Vertical-Flow (VF) system, and lastly a Horizontal-Flow (HF) system in series. The system was planted with Malaysian native aquatic plant (Scirpus grossus) and it was made up of media arranged in three layers of medium gravel (ϕ 10–15 mm) at the top, river sand (ϕ 3–5 mm) in the middle, and larger gravel (ϕ 30–35 mm) in the bottom of the CW. S. grossus could survive and reproduce with a continuous feed of 86.5 L raw wastewater per day. The results indicate that the system with a 3-day HRT achieved an average removal of 84.7 and 71.0% for NH4-N and PO4-P respectively. Based on this study, the use of HRBCW system for treating household sewage in small communities is a technically and economically feasible using S. grossus that has high effectiveness for treating domestic wastewater.

Impact of upstream landslide on perialpine lake ecosystem: An assessment using multi-temporal satellite data

Monitoring freshwater and wetland systems and their response to stressors of natural or anthropogenic origin is critical for ecosystem conservation.A multi-temporal set of 87 images, acquired by Sentinel-2 satellites over three years (2016–2018), provided quantitative information for assessing the temporal evolution of key ecosystem variables in the perialpine Lake Mezzola (northern Italy), which has suffered from the impacts of a massive landslide that took place upstream of the lake basin in summer 2017.Sentinel-2 derived products revealed an increase in lake turbidity triggered by the landslide that amounted to twice the average values scored in the years preceding and following the event. Hotspots of turbidity within the lake were in particular highlighted. Moreover, both submerged and riparian vegetation showed harmful impacts due to sediment deposition. A partial loss of submerged macrophyte cover was found, with delayed growth and a possible community shift in favor of species adapted to inorganic substrates. Satellite-derived seasonal dynamics showed that exceptional sediment load can overwrite climatic factors in controlling phenology of riparian reed beds, resulting in two consecutive years with shorter than normal growing season and roughly 20% drop in productivity, according to spectral proxies. Compared to 2016, senescence came earlier by around 20 days on average in 2017 season, and green-up was delayed by up to 50 days (20 days, on average) in 2018, following the landslide.The approach presented could be easily implemented for continuous monitoring of similar ecosystems subject to external pressures with periods of high sediment loads.

Online Monitoring of a Long-Term Full-Scale Constructed Wetland for the Treatment of Winery Wastewater in Italy

Nature-based solutions, such as Constructed Wetlands (CWs), for the treatment of industrial wastewater can be more efficiently operated making use of online monitored parameters as inlet/outlet flows and concentrations for specific substances. The present study compares different datasets acquired in a two-and-a-half-year-long period by normal laboratory methods and also from a specific COD/BOD sensor installed at a winery CWs wastewater treatment plant in Tuscany, Italy. The CW wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is composed of: equalization tank (70 m3); French Reed Bed (1200 m2); horizontal subsurface flow (HF) CW (960 m2): free water system (850 m2); optional post-treatment sand filter (50 m2); and emergency recirculation. The obtained average performances for this last period are for COD 97.5%, for MBAS 93.1%, for N-NO2- 84.7%, for NO3- 39.9%, and for TP 45.5%. The online sensor has shown excellent performance in following the COD concentration patterns along the observed period. The qualitative and quantitative validity of the online sensor measurements has been assessed by statistical analysis (t-test) and reported in the paper. Online data, acquired every 30 min, availability is of extreme importance for the CW system performance optimization, for understanding the behavior of the WWTP in different operative scenarios, and finally for driving the powering on or off eventual process enhancement tools.

Reed bed soil stripping as wetland management method: implications for water beetles

Reed bed management is one of the main wetland related issues in Europe and among the diverse approaches developed for that purpose, some restoration methods are considered rather intrusive. There is nonetheless a lack of research investigating how invertebrate communities react to such restoration methods. In this study, we assessed the suitability of reed bed soil strippings, also called bed lowerings, as habitats for aquatic beetles by sampling a total of 101 sites along the southern shore of Lake Neuchâtel, Switzerland. We compared water beetle species richness and taxonomic structure between reed bed soil strippings and other habitats found in the surrounding wetland. Additionally, we evaluated the promotion of new species through strippings and investigated the evolution of water beetle communities along the temporal gradient of reed bed soil strippings. No difference in species composition was found between the sampled habitats, suggesting a well-connected landscape mosaic within the study area. Managed sites did not increase species diversity at the landscape level. We identified a gradual diminution in species richness with age of restored site, as well as a shift in taxonomic assemblages. In conclusion, we advise reed bed soil strippings to be phased temporally and spatially, thus providing managed wetlands open water bodies of different successional stages.

Occurrence and Fate of Human Pathogenic Parasites in Constructed Reed Beds for Wastewater Treatment

Occurrence and Fate of Human Pathogenic Parasites in Constructed Reed Beds for Wastewater Treatment

Kinetic of on Nutrient Removal in Low-Strength Domestic Wastewater under Continuous Operation of Pilot Scale of Hybrid Reed Bed System (SF-VF-HF)

Kinetic of on Nutrient Removal in Low-Strength Domestic Wastewater under Continuous Operation of Pilot Scale of Hybrid Reed Bed System (SF-VF-HF)

Stopover ecology of autumn-migrating Bluethroats (Luscinia svecica) in a highly anthropogenic river basin

Wetlands are highly productive habitats used by many avian species as stopover sites during their migrations. However, these habitats are highly threatened by anthropogenic activities, such as land-use changes, the introduction of exotic species, and global warming. Further understanding on the spatiotemporal use of wetlands and their surrounding areas by migrating birds is essential to predict how these changes might affect avian en route ecology. We selected a habitat-generalist passerine, the Bluethroat Luscinia svecica, as model of how migratory birds exploit a highly anthropogenic river basin in southwestern France (i.e. Barthes de la Nive) during autumn migration. We captured and radiotracked 29 young Bluethroats in this region to shed light on different aspects of their stopover ecology and behavior such as stopover duration, habitat selection, and home-range size. We also characterized Bluethroat diet and arthropod availability in different habitats. Bluethroats positively selected pure or mixed reed beds (associated with sedge), hydrophilous tall grasslands, and corn crops. Birds staying more than one day, 8.4 days on average, used preferably corn crops. Home-range sizes were on average 5.8 ha (fixed kernels K95) and high-occupancy area (K50) was 1.36 ha with large individual variation. Bluethroats stopping over with low fuel loads tended to have larger home ranges and used preferentially corn crops, wet, or mesotrophic grasslands and rural paths. Reed beds were typically used as roosting habitat for the majority of birds, being on average 397 m apart from their daytime core areas. Short-staying birds tended to show higher fuel loads and restricted their activities to a smaller home range (1 ha) in pure and mixed reed beds. The diet of Bluethroats was dominated by ants, spiders, and beetles that were particularly abundant in corn crops. The use of corn crops by autumn-migrating Bluethroats in our study site seems to be a reasonable solution in a highly altered environment. Reducing the use of insecticides in these crops and delaying the harvesting time after mid-October are two supplemental measures that, together with a good management of the remaining wetland patches, could greatly favor Bluethroats and other migratory species in this region.

Red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis) prefers postharvest reed beds during winter period in Yancheng National Nature Reserve.

Reed beds represent an important habitat for the survival of birds by providing favorable foraging and reproduction conditions. Reed management, as a traditional agricultural activity, primarily includes water level control and vegetation removal by cutting. Red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis) is one of the most endangered cranes, and their population continues to decline due to habitat loss caused by artificial activities. A lack of research relating to how reed management affects crane habitat distribution patterns throughout the wintering period hinders our ability to offer conservation recommendations. In the present study, we explored the effect of reed management on the habitat distribution patterns and analyzed the food resources of red-crowned crane in the Yancheng National Nature Reserve (YNNR). According to the reed management activities in December, we divided the wintering period into two phases: the preharvest period and the postharvest period. Throughout the wintering period, the number of cranes recorded in the common seepweed (Suaeda glauca) tidal flats remained stable, but cranes were rarely recorded in the smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) tidal flats and aquaculture fish ponds. The number of cranes, however, showed a noticeable fluctuation in the reed beds during the two periods. Before the reed harvest, only a small proportion of cranes were recorded in the reed beds (relative abundance = 2.9%). However, more cranes (relative abundance = 61.0%) were recorded after the reed harvest. Water was introduced from adjacent rivers and fish ponds to submerge the cut reed beds. Changes in potential animal food resources (items and biomass) might be one of the vital reasons for the preference of cranes to the postharvest reed beds. Our results suggest that traditional reed management in the YNNR could benefit this flagship crane species that winters in the wetland system. However, as reed harvest has been forbidden in the core zone for conservation purposes since 2016, further research is needed to verify whether forbidding the harvest of reeds is reasonable.

Solving the Beach Wrack Problems by On Site Treatment with Reed Beds Towards Fertilizer Amendments

Solving the Beach Wrack Problems by On Site Treatment with Reed Beds Towards Fertilizer Amendments

Nesting habitat and nest features of Water Rails Rallus aquaticus and Little Crakes Zapornia parva on large wetlands

ABSTRACTCapsule: In large and medium wetlands with extended reed beds Phragmites and cattail Typha dominated areas, Water Rails Rallus aquaticus and Little Crakes Zapornia parva show higher differences in nesting sites in contrast with other populations from small and fragmented wetlands, where the ranges of values for environmental variables at nesting sites overlap greatly.Aims: To investigate the nesting sites and nesting habitats of both species to a fine scale, on medium and large wetlands, to evaluate the potential overlapping of nesting habitat and to compare data with those obtained in small wetlands.Methods: In the study area, the Fizeş Basin, Romania, 17 wetlands, ponds and reed beds ranging from 11.78 to 252.68 ha were investigated. The species were present on 4 wetlands, which were subsequently surveyed for nests. Between April and August 2010–2012, a total of 83 Water Rail and 46 Little Crake nests were found, measured and analysed in terms of nesting habitat and nest features.Results: Principal component analyses suggest no overlap in nest site selection and a partial overlap in the nest features. An analysis of similarity confirmed significant nest structural differences. A discriminant function analysis highlights the main factors dividing the nest features of both species being: water depth and distance between the nest and a water surface. Little Crakes build their nests in cattail Typha sloped clumps, while Water Rails build their nests near reed Phragmites strains.Conclusion: In large and medium wetlands, Water Rails nest deep in the reed bed rather than in other types of habitats, contrary to what has been reported for small ponds areas. Little Crakes nest in cattail independently of the size of the wetland where they occur.

Expert-Based Evaluation of Ecosystem Service Provision in Coastal Reed Wetlands Under Different Management Regimes

A characteristic feature of lagoons and estuaries along the Baltic Sea is the dominance of reed (Phragmites australis) along their coasts. Reed wetlands are ecologically valuable ecosystems, play an important role for nutrient and matter cycling as well as for biodiversity. They provide a broad spectrum of ecosystem services and are utilized by humans already for centuries. We assess the ecosystem service provision of reed wetlands, analyze how this is affected by different management scenarios and how the results of an expert based ecosystem service assessment can be used in practice. Because of strong internal gradients and interactions with the surrounding, coastal reed belts show a higher ecosystem service provision compared to homogeneous inland reed. The three different coastal management scenarios are 1) winter harvest of reed, 2) summer harvest of reed and 3) grazing by livestock. According to the views of 18 involved experts from Lithuania, Poland and Germany, winter harvest is regarded as the scenario with the lowest conflict potential between nature protection and reed utilization. Experts expect no changes or even slight increases for regulating and cultural services. However, experts see the need to establish a sustainable and regionally anchored winter harvest concept. Summer harvest and grazing entail the risk to change the ecosystem structure and could lead to a shift in vegetation pattern towards short saltmarsh grassland. Experts expect a slight decrease in regulating services. Especially erosion control, biodiversity or nutrient sequestration are rated controversially. To our experience, these expert-based ecosystem service assessments can support policy implementation (e.g. NATURA 2000, European Water Framework Directive or Marine Strategy Framework Directive). It can serve as a tool that allows stakeholders to visualize trade-offs, analyze patterns and processes at regional scales and hence facilitate decision-making.

Removal of Salinity using Interaction Mangrove Plants and Bacteria in Batch Reed Bed System Reactor

Removal of Salinity using Interaction Mangrove Plants and Bacteria in Batch Reed Bed System Reactor

Removal of Chemical Oxygen Demand in Brackish Water by Rhizophora mucronata using Reed Bed System Batch Reactor

River pollution can cause coastal pollution due to many pollutants can not remove during water flow from upstream to downstream. River has a capability to do self purification to remediate many pollutans, but wastewater disposal occurred at along the river. One of pollution parameter that caused by organic pollutant was Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). In this research, the design of reactor was adapted from reed bed system commonly used in constructed wetlands. The purpose of the study was to determine the COD removal by Rhizophora mucronata using reed bed system reactor. There were 8 reactors, with duplo replicates, namely RM15 and RM 25 for treatment with Rhizophora mucronata at 15 ‰ and 25 ‰, respectively, and RMVA15 and RMVA 25 for treatment with Rhizophora mucronata and addition of Vibrio alginolyticus, respectively. Parameter of COD was determined using digestion reactor and spectrophotometer. Based on the results, the highest removal of COD reached 82.06% after 14 days at reactor of RM15. The highest of removal COD with addition of Vibrio alginolyticus was 80.89% after Day 2 at reactor of RMVA15. In conclusion, the Rhizophora mucronata that was grown at reed bed system reactor demonstrated can be used in removing organic matter.

Managing coastal grasslands for an endangered wader species can give a positive result only when expanding the area of open landscape

Abstract The rapid loss of wetlands during the 20th century has caused a severe decline in the biota associated with these habitats. In Europe, the loss of wet grasslands has seriously affected breeding waders, whose numbers have halved in the past 50 years and remaining populations are facing fragmented, low quality habitats. To improve the remaining sites as breeding grounds for these birds, the exact habitat requirements of the species need to be known. Our study was carried out in Boreal Baltic coastal grasslands in Estonia, where land abandonment has been the main reason behind waders’ population declines in the past decades. Hence, we focus on partially overgrown fields, aiming to ascertain habitat characteristics determining the breeding site selection of meadow birds, especially the endangered Southern Dunlin (Calidris alpina schinzii). We studied the breeding site selection of four wader species (Southern Dunlin, Common Redshank (Tringa totanus), Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) and Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)) in 23 coastal grasslands over two years. We analysed seven habitat characteristics which could influence the breeding habitat selection of these species. Our study demonstrates that breeding sites of all studied wader species are located closer to wet areas and coastline and further away from woodland. Also, the height of the ground level has an impact on the breeding probability, with lower areas favoured. Concerning the Southern Dunlin, our results show that on sites where the species was absent, suitable breeding sites, regarding the distance from woodland edge, were absent. Thus, reforestation of grasslands may be the key reason behind the poor population status of the species. We also demonstrated that proximity of reed beds did not influence the breeding site selection of waders – a result which contradicts current wet grassland management suggestions. Expanding the open landscape, maintaining a large quantity of wet features suitable for foraging and preventing overgrowth of coastline and lower parts of the meadow makes the habitat optimal for breeding waders. Concerning the growth of the population size and spatial distribution of the Southern Dunlin, removal of woodlands adjacent to grasslands is crucial.

First record of colour aberration in Basra Reed Warbler Acrocephalus griseldis (Hartlaub, 1891) (Passeriformes: Acrocephalidae) from Central Marshes of southern Iraq, with notes on its intraspecific/interspecific behavior

Pigment disorders such as albinism, leucism and progressive greying, which cause the absence of melanin pigments in all or parts of the plumage and bare parts, have been reported in many wild bird populations including Acrocephalus warblers. Basra Reed Warbler Acrocephalus griseldis (Hartlaub, 1891) is a restricted-range species confined to the extensive reed beds of Mesopotamian marshes. It is listed as Endangered due to breeding habitat degradation, water scarcity and climate change. In April 2018, a partly white plumaged Basra Reed Warbler was sighted in Central Marshes in southern Iraq. This is the first report of such a plumage aberration in this species. The nature of the aberration involved an intraspecific/interspecific behavior of the white plumaged Basra Reed Warbler are described.

Cutting of Phragmites australis as a lake restoration technique: Productivity calculation and nutrient removal in Wuliangsuhai Lake, northern China

Reed is one of the most frequent and dominant species in wetlands all over the world, with common reed ( Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.) as the most widely distributed species. In many wetlands, P. australis plays a highly ambivalent role. On the one hand, in many wetlands it purifies wastewater, provides habitat for numerous species, and is a potentially valuable raw material, while on the other hand it is an invasive species which expands aggressively, prevents fishing, blocks ditches and waterways, and builds monospecies stands. This paper uses the eutrophic reed-swamp of Wuliangsuhai Lake in Inner Mongolia, northern China, as a case to present the multiple benefits of regular reed cutting. The reed area and aboveground biomass production are calculated based on field data. Combined with data about water and reed nutrient content, the impact of reed cutting on the lake nutrient budget (N and P) is investigated. Currently, at this lake around 100, 000 tons of reed are harvested in winter annually, removing 16% and 8% of the total nitrogen and phosphorus influx, respectively. Harvesting all available winter reed could increase the nutrient removal rates to 48% and 24%, respectively. We also consider the effects of summer harvesting, in which reed biomass removal could overcompensate for the nutrient influx but could potentially reduce reed regrowth.

Quantification of Extent, Density, and Status of Aquatic Reed Beds Using Point Clouds Derived from UAV–RGB Imagery

Quantification of reed coverage and vegetation status is fundamental for monitoring and developing lake conservation strategies. The applicability of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) three-dimensional data (point clouds) for status evaluation was investigated. This study focused on mapping extent, density, and vegetation status of aquatic reed beds. Point clouds were calculated with Structure from Motion (SfM) algorithms in aerial imagery recorded with Rotary Wing (RW) and Fixed Wing (FW) UAV. Extent was quantified by measuring the surface between frontline and shoreline. Density classification was based on point geometry (height and height variance) in point clouds. Spectral information per point was used for calculating a vegetation index and was used as indicator for vegetation vitality. Status was achieved by combining data on density, vitality, and frontline shape outputs. Field observations in areas of interest (AOI) and optical imagery were used for reference and validation purposes. A root mean square error (RMSE) of 1.58 m to 3.62 m for cross sections from field measurements and classification was achieved for extent map. The overall accuracy (OA) acquired for density classification was 88.6% (Kappa = 0.8). The OA for status classification of 83.3% (Kappa = 0.7) was reached by comparison with field measurements complemented by secondary Red, Green, Blue (RGB) data visual assessments. The research shows that complex transitional zones (water–vegetation–land) can be assessed and support the suitability of the applied method providing new strategies for monitoring aquatic reed bed using low-cost UAV imagery.

Estimation of above-ground biomass of reed (Phragmites communis) based on in situ hyperspectral data in Beijing Hanshiqiao Wetland, China

Accurate estimates of reed (Phragmites communis) biomass are critical for efficient reed swamp monitoring and management. This study compared the accuracy of commonly used empirical models in estimating above-ground biomass in dense swamp reeds in the Beijing Hanshiqiao Wetland Nature Reserve, northern China. Two-thirds of the samples were used for model construction, and one-third for model validation. Models for estimating reed above-ground biomass, based on original spectral reflectance, first-order differential spectrum, trilateral parameters and partial least squares (PLS), were constructed using univariate linear regression and the PLS method. Results showed that the biomass estimation model based on the first-order differential spectrum was relatively inefficient. Model accuracy was highest in the PLS model, followed by the original spectral reflectance model and was lowest in the trilateral parameters model. The model validation results were consistent with the accuracy of the established estimation model, so the model has good stability. We conclude that above-ground biomass can be successfully estimated using canopy hyperspectral information on wetland plants, based on the empirical model. The PLS method not only was more accurate in estimating fresh biomass but also represented a significant improvement in estimating dry biomass.