Jacups SP; Warchot A; Whelan PI

Author(s)

Jacups SP

Warchot A

Whelan PI

Publication Date

2012-06

Abstract

Darwin, in the tropical north of Australia, is subject to high numbers of mosquitoes and several mosquito-borne diseases. Many of Darwin’s residential areas were built in close proximity to tidally influenced swamps, where long-term storm-water run-off from nearby residences into these swamps has led to anthropogenic induced ecological change. When natural wet-dry cycles were disrupted, bare mud-flats and mangroves were transformed into perennial fresh to brackish-water reed swamps. Reed swamps provided year-round breeding habitat for many mosquito species, such that mosquito abundance was less predictable and seasonally dependent, but constant and often occurring in plague proportions. Drainage channels were constructed throughout the wetlands to reduce pooled water during dry-season months. This study assesses the impact of drainage interventions on vegetation and mosquito ecology in three salt-marshes in the Darwin area. Findings revealed a universal decline in dry-season mosquito abundance in each wetland system. However, some mosquito species increased in abundance during wet-season months. Due to the high expense and potentially detrimental environmental impacts of ecosystem and non-target species disturbance, large-scale modifications such as these, are sparingly undertaken. However, our results indicate that some large scale environmental modification can assist the process of wetland restoration, as appears to be the case for these salt marsh systems. Drainage in all three systems has been restored to closer to their original salt-marsh ecosystems, while reducing mosquito abundances, thereby potentially lowering the risk of vector-borne disease transmission and mosquito pest biting problems.

ISSN

1612-9202

Link

https://hdl.handle.net/10137/544

Publisher

International Association for Ecology and Health

Series

EcoHealth;Vol. 9, No. 2: 183-194

Subject

Australia

Northern Territory

Darwin

Mosquitoes

Insects

Vector control

Engineering

Public health

Title

Anthropogenic ecological change and impacts on mosquito breeding and control strategies in salt marshes, Northern Territory, Australia

Type of document

Journal Article

Entity Type

Publication

Author(s)	Jacups SP Warchot A Whelan PI
Publication Date	2012-06
Abstract	Darwin, in the tropical north of Australia, is subject to high numbers of mosquitoes and several mosquito-borne diseases. Many of Darwin’s residential areas were built in close proximity to tidally influenced swamps, where long-term storm-water run-off from nearby residences into these swamps has led to anthropogenic induced ecological change. When natural wet-dry cycles were disrupted, bare mud-flats and mangroves were transformed into perennial fresh to brackish-water reed swamps. Reed swamps provided year-round breeding habitat for many mosquito species, such that mosquito abundance was less predictable and seasonally dependent, but constant and often occurring in plague proportions. Drainage channels were constructed throughout the wetlands to reduce pooled water during dry-season months. This study assesses the impact of drainage interventions on vegetation and mosquito ecology in three salt-marshes in the Darwin area. Findings revealed a universal decline in dry-season mosquito abundance in each wetland system. However, some mosquito species increased in abundance during wet-season months. Due to the high expense and potentially detrimental environmental impacts of ecosystem and non-target species disturbance, large-scale modifications such as these, are sparingly undertaken. However, our results indicate that some large scale environmental modification can assist the process of wetland restoration, as appears to be the case for these salt marsh systems. Drainage in all three systems has been restored to closer to their original salt-marsh ecosystems, while reducing mosquito abundances, thereby potentially lowering the risk of vector-borne disease transmission and mosquito pest biting problems.
ISSN	1612-9202
Link	https://hdl.handle.net/10137/544
Publisher	International Association for Ecology and Health
Series	EcoHealth;Vol. 9, No. 2: 183-194
Subject	Australia Northern Territory Darwin Mosquitoes Insects Vector control Engineering Public health
Title	Anthropogenic ecological change and impacts on mosquito breeding and control strategies in salt marshes, Northern Territory, Australia
Type of document	Journal Article
Entity Type	Publication

Anthropogenic ecological change and impacts on mosquito breeding and control strategies in salt marshes, Northern Territory, Australia

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