Aquatic bird populations as possible indicators of seasonal nutrient flow at Ichkeul Lake, Tunisia

Abstract

Lake Ichkeul is fed in autumn and winter by 7 main freshwater oueds (rivers) which create an overflow towards the mediterranean sea. Conversely, seawater enters the lake after the end of the rainy season. Thus, strong inverse variations occur twice a year both in water depth and salinity level, with a major hydraulic flow to the sea between October and January.