An ideal lake or pond should host a range of native aquatic plant species, encompassing submersed, floating, and emergent varieties. A diverse plant community not only enhances the visual appeal of your waterbody but also delivers numerous advantages for the ecosystem, ultimately contributing to a more harmonious and balanced aquatic environment. Here, we at Healthy Ponds list reasons why you should keep native aquatic plants in a pond.
1. Creates a Habitat for Wildlife
Aquatic plants serve various purposes for fish that up their overall productivity. Certain fish species employ vegetative matter for constructing nests or selecting nesting locations. Waterfowl also make use of aquatic plants as hiding spots and nesting sites. Additionally, young fish often seek refuge within plant cover to evade predators, while specific ambush predators like pickerel rely on aquatic plant beds to effectively capture their prey.
2. Improves the Look of the Pond
The inclusion of a variety of emergent, submersed, and floating aquatic plants, particularly those boasting colorful blooms, increases the aesthetic appeal of your lake or pond, contributing to its overall beauty.
One of the ways you can improve the look of your pond is by including aquatic plants that can hinder the establishment of invasive exotic vegetation in your lake or pond. When your aquatic plant ecosystem is in equilibrium, it promotes a greater likelihood of achieving balance among other aquatic life forms, including fish and plankton. It’s important to know about invasive and non-invasive pond plants and weeds and how to control them.
3. Provides Animals with Food
Forage fish species and aquatic invertebrates play a vital role by consuming plant matter, serving as a critical component in the lake or pond’s food web. Moreover, various waterfowl feed on the seeds and tubers produced by aquatic plants.
4. Reduces Turbidity
Rooted aquatic plants act as natural buffers against wave impacts, firmly anchoring themselves in the sediment. This reduces turbulence, enhancing water clarity by lowering turbidity. Moreover, these plants efficiently trap and contain bottom sediments, preventing the resuspension of sediment-bound nutrients. This containment helps maintain water quality by reducing the risk of nutrient runoff and eutrophication. Overall, rooted aquatic plants play a vital role in stabilizing aquatic ecosystems, safeguarding water clarity, and preserving nutrient balance, supporting the health and equilibrium of these environments.
5. Better Water Quality
Aquatic plants play a vital role in deterring unwanted nutrients in lakes and ponds. For instance, shoreline plants that emerge from the water can uptake nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen, preventing nuisance algae from accessing them. Additionally, aquatic plants provide stability to the bottom sediments within the water body, contributing to enhanced water quality and increased clarity.
Learn More About Aquatic Plants by Contacting Healthy Farms
For further tips and information about non-invasive and invasive aquatic plants and to learn how pond weeds control can help you achieve your aesthetic goals for your pond, get in contact with us at Healthy Farms today.
