2.2.2. Water Quality

Water pH, temperature, conductivity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen (DO), and oxidative reductive potential (ORP) were measured using a YSI 6-series Multiparameter Water Quality Sonde (model 6600 V2-4) outfitted with relevant probes and outputting to a Multiparameter Display System (model YSI 650 MDS; YSI Inc., Yellow Springs, OH, USA). In year 1, we analyzed total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and coliform bacteria content for each wetland. We collected water samples from centrally located areas within the wetlands using autoclave sterilized, acid-washed bottles and, when necessary, a swing sampler. Total coliform bacteria and *Escherichia coli* content, which are known to be variable in wetlands based on both anthropological and wildlife inputs [44], were quantified using the Colilert Test Kit and Quanti-Tray/2000 (IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Westbrook, ME, USA) method.
