Observations on the Spider Fauna of Geographically Isolated Wetlands in Southwestern Georgia

A study of the spiders occurring in three types of isolated wetlands (marshes, savannas, and swamps) in southwestern Georgia was conducted in the fall of 2005 and the spring of 2006 using 30 one meter long sweep net passes per wetland. Twenty-seven taxa from nine families of spiders were observed. Tetragnathidae and Pisauridae were the most common spider types with marsh wetlands having the greatest richness and abundance. Species found were mostly those associated with aquatic habitats; Dolomedes triton being the most abundant with an overall mean density of 1.29/m2. Patterns of spider richness and abundance were similar to patterns observed for other wetland invertebrates, i.e., greatest in marshes. Life history requirements for spiders occupying isolated wetlands in the longleaf pine landscape appear to be excellent dispersal ability for recolonizing following frequent and heterogeneous fires, and flexibility in habitat preference enabling persistence during frequent cycles of wetting and drying

Symbiosis Between Social Spiders and Yeast: The Role in Prey Attraction

A number of predatory animals use deception, including odors, signals, and bait-like body appendages or objects to lure prey (Alcock, 1984). Several spider species are known to emit chemical odors that mimic the sex attractants of certain noctuid or saturniid moths as a means of luring males to be captured (Tietjen and Rovner, 1982). Here we provide evidence that the social spider species, Mallos gregalis, uses a scented bait to attract prey. Our results indicate that this odor is produced by yeasts growing on the carcasses of previously fed-upon flies which these spiders incorporated into their webs

Interim Report for Phase I Clean Lakes Study: Lake Blackshear

Proceedings of the 1993 Georgia Water Resources Conference, April 20-21, 1993, Athens, Georgia.Sponsored and Organized by: U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of TechnologyThis book was published by the Institute of Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602 with partial funding provided by the U.S. Department of Interior, Geological Survey, through the Georgia Water Research Institute as authorized by the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 (P.L. 98-242). The views and statements advanced in this publication are solely those of the authors and do not represent official views or policies of the University of Georgia or the U.S. Geological Survey or the conference sponsors

Nutrient Contributions of a Coastal Plain Stream to Lake Blackshear

Proceedings of the 1991 Georgia Water Resources Conference, March 19-20, 1991, Athens, Georgia.Lake Blackshear is a hydro-electric impoundment located on the Flint River and is owned by the Crisp County Power Commission. The lake was created in 1930. It has a surface area of 34.5 km^2 and a mean depth of 5.4 m. It is located mainly between Crisp and Sumter Counties, also bordering on Dooley, Lee and Worth. The lake has had for many years a heavy growth of the filamentous blue-green algae Lyngbya (probably L. wollei, Larry Dyck, pers. comm.). This growth occurs in several of the lake tributaries. Other nuisance algae and related problems have caused concern for lake users. The lake was described as eutrophic based on a 1973 study (USEPA, 1975). In 1983, Proctor and Gamble Corp., owners of a bleached pulp plant upstream from Blackshear sponsored an intensive evaluation of the river and lake. This study was under the direction of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia (ANSP, 1984). Study sampling was done in April, August, and October. Results demonstrated that nutrient loading was sufficient in the spring and summer to classify the lake as eutrophic. A nutrient budget study (Foth and Van Dyke, 1985) applying the model of Vollenweider (1978) to the nutrient data of the 1973 study (USEPA, 1974) was done at the request of the Crisp County Power Commission. The study stressed the importance of lake tributaries and local sources such as septic tanks as nutrient sources for this lake. The Gum Creek embayment was considered to be very important to this lake enrichment process. The Foth and Van Dyke study recommended the establishment of a Watershed Association and also recommended a detailed study of the Gum Creek system. The study reported here is an outcome of that recommendation and was conducted under the sponsorship of the newly formed Lake Blackshear Watershed Association. This study was designed to evaluate the relative non-point and point source nutrient contributions from different land usages and to develop recommendations for decreasing lake enrichment. We believe that this study more clearly delineates the nutrient sources of Gum Creek and once again demonstrates the role of stream habitats, including riparian woodlands, in reducing down-stream transport of nutrients. Management policy development derived from information of this study may be applied to other tributaries of Lake Blackshear, as well as to other stream systems in the State. As an outgrowth of this study, an extensive multi-agency project, sponsored by the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission, has been undertaken to evaluate agricultural impact and to demonstrate non-point source reduction activities in the Gum Creek watershed. This project has broad state and national significance.Sponsored by U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the University of Georgia, Georgia State University, and Georgia Institute of Technology.This book was published by the Institute of Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602 with partial funding provided by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Geological Survey, through the Georgia Water Research Institute as authorized by the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 (P.L. 98242). The views and statements advanced in this publication are solely those of the authors and do not represent official views or policies of The University of Georgia or the U.S. Geological Survey or the conference sponsors

Reservoir Hydrodynamics, Nutrients and Primary Productivity in Lake Blackshear

Proceedings of the 1995 Georgia Water Resources Conference, April 11 and 12, 1995, Athens, Georgia.Nutrient load in the main lake is similar to that found in tributary embayments. Chlorophyll a productivity is generally lower in the main lake than in the embayments, and this is thought to result from the short hydraulic retention time of the main lake. Main lake productivity does increase down stream as the reservoir becomes lacustrine.Sponsored and Organized by: U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of TechnologyThis book was published by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602 with partial funding provided by the U.S. Department of Interior, Geological Survey, through the Georgia Water Research Institute as authorized by the Water Resources Research Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-397). The views and statements advanced in this publication are solely those of the authors and do not represent official views or policies of the University of Georgia or the U.S. Geological Survey or the conference sponsors

After The Flood: A Follow Up on the Trophic State of Lake Blackshear, Georgia

Proceedings of the 2003 Georgia Water Resources Conference, held April 23-24, 2003, at the University of Georgia.Chlorophyll a based trophic state conditions during the summer in Lake Blackshear in 2001 were compared to pre-flood conditions of 1992. Median values were similar in the transition zone but lower in the middle and lower portions of the reservoir. It is not possible to determine whether lower chlorophyll a values in 2001 represent a change in lake productivity following the flooding event or simply reflect low flows during severe drought. Phytoplankton growth in the lake did not achieve the potential level predicted by nutrient concentrations or lake transparency

Evaluating management needs of Lake Blackshear, Georgia

Lake Blackshear has been characterized for three decades as eutrophic due to high nutrients and low light penetration (i.e. Secchi depth). However, algal biomass and diversity metrics in the reservoir indicate a lower trophic status. In terms of bottom-dwelling macroinvertebrates, annual surveys since the mid-1980s have shown a relatively consistent distribution among major taxonomic groups over time, with individual species that exhibit a broad sensitivity to pollution. Evaluation of limited data on recreational fishery productivity in the reservoir supports lower overall primary and secondary production in Lake Blackshear compared with two other reservoirs in the region. At present, the reservoir appears to be in good ecological health. Future management efforts for the reservoir should balance the potentially competing needs of maintaining current ecological condition of the reservoir and of recreational benefits that may result from enhanced overall productivity.Sponsored by: Georgia Environmental Protection Division U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia Water Science Center U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Water Resources Institute The University of Georgia, Water Resources Facult

Study of potential impacts of using sewage sludge in the amendment of desert reclaimed soil on wheat and jews mallow plants

This investigation was conducted to study the impacts of using sewage sludge at different concentrations (0, 10, 25, 50, 75%) in amendment of desert reclaimed soil properties and some physiological aspects in wheat and jews mallow plants. Generally adding sewage sludge to desert soil improved the soil texture, raised the organic matter contents, water holding capacity and lowered pH value. The contents of NPK gradually increased as the ratio of sewage sludge increased. The fresh and dry weights and biosyntheses of pigment contents of the variously treated test plants were increased by increasing the sewage sludge levels in the soil. Also, total carbohydrate and protein contents of sewage sludge-treated test plants were positively affected. With respect to the proline content and total free amino acids, in most cases, it decreased significantly, expect at 75% sewage sludge, which was higher than that of other concentrations. Also, the accumulation of metal was generally higher, especially in the root than that in the shoot system in the test plant tissues