Award Date

1-1-2006

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Environmental Science

First Committee Member

Shawn Gerstenberger

Number of Pages

101

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine and identify the factors that have influenced changes in phytoplankton and zooplankton assemblages during the initial thirteen years of ecological development of Lake Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada. Univariate and multivariate statistical methods were used to determine the level of influence lake water chemistry, lake physical characteristics and planktonic groups will have on overall plankton community dynamics. Water quality and plankton population data have been collected since 1991 when the lake began filling through the period of study ending December, 2003; Results indicate the zooplankton biomass was most influenced by conductance, total dissolved solids, water temperature, chlorophyll alpha and pH. Phytoplankton biomass was most related to TN, nitrogen: P ratio, total dissolved solids, conductivity and water temperature. During the first thirteen years external influences have caused the reservoir plankton populations to change annually due to random disturbances.

Keywords

Desert; Factors; Influencing; Lake; Made; Man; Man-made Lake; Plankton; Populations; Plankton

Controlled Subject

Limnology; Microbiology

File Format

pdf

File Size

3051.52 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

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Rights

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