Submerged Plants
An excessive amount of submerged
plants can cause problems for the pond owner. The exception might be for the
dedicated wildlife pond in which no other use is desired. When submerged plants
are too abundant, they can cause problems similar to those described for
filamentous algae.
Excessive amounts of submerged plants can present a problem
for the pond owner who values his/her fishery. Once plant levels exceed 20% of
the surface area, largemouth bass predation on bluegill becomes less effective.
Small bluegill can effectively avoid being eaten by darting into the excessive
vegetation. Thus, too many bluegill survive, and their growth declines due to
increased competition from overcrowding. Bass growth also decreases, as they
are unable to find prey effectively and consume enough to grow well. The
classic symptoms of this scenario are populations of small, thin largemouth
bass and bluegill.
Excessive submerged plants also pose a problem in ponds
where water is being pumped out for irrigation, livestock watering, or might be
pumped out in case of a fire. These plants can clog a pump intake, lessening
the amount of water being pumped and shortening the lifespan of the pump due to
excessive wear and tear.
Floating Plants
An excess of nutrients can
cause an overabundance of watermeal and duckweed. It is not uncommon for these
small plants to completely cover a ponds
surface in a few short weeks. This type of cover will substantially reduce
light penetration so that oxygen-producing photosynthesis in the water
underneath the floating plants ceases. Warm water temperatures during summer
months keep oxygen-consuming animal respiration and decomposition rates high,
possibly resulting in a fish kill from lack of oxygen.
Water lilies are notorious for overspreading a pond in short
order, especially if the pond is shallow and the water is clear. Clear water
allows these lilies to send up stems and leaves from a greater depth. This
severely inhibits recreational activities. Many pond owners have planted water
lilies for aesthetics, only to be frustrated with their quick coverage of the
pond.
Emergent Plants
An overabundance of emergent plants can create a problem for
some pond owners. This is particularly true for cattails, which account for
nearly all pond owner complaints about emergent plants. Cattails have the
ability to completely surround a pond and extend several feet into the water if
allowed to do so. Even for a pond managed for wildlife, this poses a problem.
Habitat diversity is good for wildlife, and a monoculture of cattails does not
provide diversity. Excessive emergent plants can create problems for anglers
who will find it difficult to effectively fish from shoreline areas.
Cattails are highly attractive to muskrats, a mammal that
can damage a pond in some circumstances. Dams are vulnerable to their burrowing
activities, and muskrat burrows can compromise their integrity. Muskrat use
cattails for a variety of reasons, including food, den material, and as an
escape from predators.
One emergent plant species deserves special mention. Purple
loosestrife is an invader to Ohio ponds and wetlands and should be controlled,
either by pulling the plant and roots or by spraying a herbicide. If left
uncontrolled, purple loosestrife quickly spreads and crowds out desirable
native emergent plants. A monoculture stand of loosestrife is the result,
providing no benefits to the pond owner or wildlife.
(http://ohioline.osu.edu/)
Other issues :
Non invasive, native plants are much more desirable than non
native, invasive varieties. Non native plant species out compete native species
for nutrients because the native species are in better balance with the entire
system. The non native species that overtake a pond are rapid growers and do
not have the organisms to keep them in check because they are not native to the
area. Native plants can also grow rapidly if not monitored and held in check.
Therefore, the key is balance and preventing one specific aquatic plant from
overtaking your entire pond. A nice mix of species will provide a healthy pond
ecosystem and also a beautiful setting.
Nutrients are the main cause for excessive aquatic plant
growth. Only a small amount of nutrients added to a pond can cause a lot of
problems with aquatic plant growth. It is important to look at the source of
your ponds nutrients and try to get a handle on that while you are working on
the immediate problem with aquatic plants.
Treatments :
Physical/Mechanical
Treatments
Chemical Treatments
Copper
Diquat Herbicide
Fluridone Herbicide
Biological Treatments
Aquatic Plants
Plant Eating Fish
Bacteria
Pond Environment
Treatments
Water Level
Flushing
Shading
Water patterns
Dredging
(http://www.dunnsfishfarm.com/)
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