Abstract
A shallow, 5.4-ha dystrophic Carolina bay wetland was studied between 1974 and 1978 to test the premise that biomass and production are constrained by the stagnant hydrology and dilute, acidic chemistry of bay wetlands. Our objectives were to evaluate: (1) surface and subsurface hydrology, (2) sources of production, (3) community change along a depth gradient, and (4) seasonal community patterns. The hydrology study compared surface water levels to groundwater levels in four adjacent wells. A cylinder enclosure and total harvest procedure and 24-h dissolved oxygen curves were used for 2 yr in a 1-ha sampling area to measure spatial and temporal biomass patterns and organic production of community components. -from Authors