Studies On The Effects Of Hippopotamus Amphibious Vectored Subsidies On The Ecology Of Aquatic Ecosystem

ABSTRACT

A study was conducted along the Great Ruaha River (GRR) at Ruaha National Park (RNP) for a period of two months (November to December 2013) with the main aim of assessing the effects of Hippopotamus amphibious vectored subsidies on the chemistry of river ecosystems and the ecology of aquatic resident within these systems. The study was done by measuring river water nutrients, physical water chemistry parameters, and stable isotope analysis of aquatic consumers. Study sites were identified in two basic treatment types: river pools containing hippos and those showing no evidence of hippo occupancy. Response parameters that were measured included total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), total dissolved phosphorus (TDP), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), nitrate (NO3), and ammonia (NH3). Total dissolved nitrogen, total dissolved phosphorus, and nitrate were significantly elevated in hippo pools relative to non hippo pools (P