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PondsPonds are a Piece
of the Ecological Puzzle
In biological terms, a community can be defined as plants and
animals interacting with one another in the sharing of available
resources and restraints in a defined area. Ponds
are ecosystems, in that they play host to a total interrelationship of
all organisms in the environment - birds, fish, frogs, plants and many
microscopic organisms.
A pond
ecosystem can be likened to a
triangle. In a regional ecosystem, ponds, streams, and lakes (water)
are the base of the triangle. In the pond ecosystem, the water is the
base of the triangle. Everything found above the base is completely
dependent, either directly or indirectly, on water.
Pond Nutrients
Besides pH, Micro and Macronutrients are important contributors to
water quality. There are 17 elements that are required for pond life,
including 3 macronutrients and 14 micronutrients. These are the
nutrients required in the largest quantities for proper plant growth.
MacronutrientsNitrogen
In a pond, ammonia and nitrate are forms in which nitrogen are
available in water. High levels of ammonia and nitrate are very toxic
to most fish. High levels of ammonia and nitrate are very toxic to
most fish in ponds. Because of this, it's best that these levels are
undetectable or very low.Phosphorous
Phosphate is the nutrient available form of phosphorous. Again, in
a pond situation, it is best to have low or non existent levels of
phosphate. Although phosphate is not a problem for fish, it does cause
prolific and unchecked algae growth in ponds.
Potassium
The final macronutrient is potassium. It's rare to find high levels of
potassium in a pond ecosystem, and even if you did, it wouldn't be a
problem, as it is a key for plant and fish metabolism.
MicronutrientsThe other category of nutrients is
micronutrients. There are 14 micronutrients required for pond life.
and each is required in different ratios for different members of our
pond-based ecosystem. They each have very specialized important
functions on the cellular level for all forms of pond life. These
include: boron (B), carbon (C), calcium (Ca), chlorine (Cl), copper
(Cu), iron (Fe), hydrogen (H), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn),
molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), oxygen (O), sodium (Na), sulfur (S), and
zinc (Zn).
First Level of the Pond EcosystemThe first level
consumers / converters are the biological level that makes life on
Earth possible. By consumers, we mean organisms that consume waste and
its chemical elements, and energy from the sun, and convert these into
energy, mass and life.
Pond BacteriaBacteria is very important in the function of a pond ecosystem,
and there are countless types of bacteria, something for every
function. Bacteria prefer to be anchored to a substance like rocks or
gravel, and are found in largest quantities in the midst of
decomposing leaves. An important function of bacteria in a pond is its
completion of the nitrogen cycle. For starters, nitrification
detoxifies fish waste (ammonia) aerobically (with oxygen). Next,
anaerobic (without oxygen) bacteria denitrify nitrate into a gas that
is dispersed back to the atmosphere. This is the process that we try
to foster in the healthy pond ecosystem.Phytoplankton
Next, we have phytoplankton (algae), diatoms, and protozoa. Phyto-plankton
are sun dependent free-floating organisms. This is a fancy way of
saying free-floating algae, or green "pea-soup" pond water. There are
dozens of varieties of these phytoplankton. It's never difficult to
find many kinds of algae in all parts of the pond. Diatoms
Another category of algae are diatoms. These tiny, free-floating
plants tend to give the pond a tan to light brown hue if they are
present in large numbers (which is rare in a pond). These little
things show off some of the most geometrically complex shapes in all
of nature. Diatoms are what we make dynamite with and are where a high
percentage of fossil fuels come from. Protozoa
The most familiar of these tiny, single celled animals are Amoeba
and Paramecium. They can be found free floating in ponds, and they
absorb nutrients via osmosis through their cell walls.
Aquatic Plants
The final and most visible member of the consumer / converter
category are the aquatic plants. There are literally thousands of
kinds from all over the world, including submerged, floating,
emergent, and marginal plants. Some can be submerged in ponds 20 or
more feet while others just like to get their feet wet.
Second Level of the Pond Ecosystem
Next, we have the second level of the pond food chain, zooplankton.
These little pond dwellers are consumers. Most species of zooplankton
are filter feeders. They can be found drifting through the water,
sifting out food particles. They primarily eat algae, but they also
consume Protozoa and other smaller zooplankton. Some common species of
zooplankton found in ponds include Daphnia, Cyclops, and Rotifers.
Zooplankton are technically part of the next category (invertebrates),
but because of their size, they are lower on the food chain.
Third Level of the Pond Ecosystem
Aquatic invertebrates make up the third level of the pond food
chain. These are part of the Arthropod family, which includes all
insects. It's the largest group of animals on earth. Larval insects
are very common in a backyard pond. If you keep your eyes peeled, you
will definitely find some type of larvae / nymph in your pond. The
primary places to look would be on the bottom of the pond, in some
decomposing leaves, or near the surface around the edges of the pond.
Larval Insects
Larval insects consume rotting organic matter. bacteria, diatoms,
and zooplankton. Some of the common larval / nymph insects found in
ponds are, black fly larvae, caddis fly larvae, mosquito larvae,
dragonfly nymph, damselfly nymph, and mayfly nymph.
Worms & Leeches
Many people are grossed out by these little pond critters, but
none of them can hurt anyone. Most eat muck, detritus, and plants. The
place to find these guys is right in their food at the bottom of the
pond. Some of the common kinds of worms you may find in a pond include
rat-tailed maggots, nematodes, tubifex worms aquatic earthworm,
horsehair worms, planaria, and blood sucking leeches.
Yes, leeches are part of this level of the pond ecosystem. They are
not as scary as people think. Some ponds may go through a period where
they have leeches. A pond may have them for a couple of years and then
they will disappear. They are fairly slow to attach themselves to
their dinner (you), so don't fear. Usually you can pick them off
before they suck your blood. If you get a leech on your body, just
salt it and it'll release.
Snails
Snails primarily feed off detritus, little dead animals, diatoms
and algae in ponds. It's common to find them under water, sucking and
scouring the rocks and gravel. They don't harm anything, though
sometimes they can reproduce at prolific levels. Don't ever use
chemicals in your pond to control snails. If there are too many, just
do a spring clean out (to decrease their food supply), and let them
naturally balance themselves out. Some of the common types of snails
you'll find in ponds include hairy wheel snails, little pond snails,
orb snails, wrinkle snails, and the giant pond snail.
Insects
The next and final category on this level of the pond food chain
is insects in their mature form. These can primarily be found on the
surface of the water and around the pond. Some of the common insects
you'll see in and around your pond are the water striders, whirligig
beetle, water boatman, giant water bug, mosquitoes and many more.
These are some of the most common. The majority of insects pray on
other insects, larvae, and even small fry.
Fourth Level of the Pond EcosystemFrogs
Amphibians make up the fourth level in the pond food chain, and
include hundreds of species. Frogs are probably the most renowned
member of this group. They breed around ponds in the spring through
early summer, which is when they constantly croak. They lay their eggs
which hatch into tadpoles. Forgs will eat just about anything they can
get their mouths around - insects, worms, small animals, small fish,
even tadpoles or other frogs. The most common types of frogs seen in
ponds are leopard frogs, green frogs, bullfrogs and pickerel frogs.
Toads
A toad might surprise you when you move a rock or a skimmer lid in
your pond. And no, you will not get warts from touching them. Toads
have a diet similar to frogs, although they're not quite as daring
when it comes to the size of their prey. You can usually find them
hiding under something in moist areas around ponds. Common toads
include the American Toad, Fowler's toad, and the Eastern Spadefoot
toad. Salamanders and Newts
Salamanders and newts are very hard to find in your backyard pond.
Even in regions where they are found, only about one in ten ponds will
have them. If you have them in your pond, you should feel lucky. They
feed on worms, insects and larvae. You can find them in moist spots
full of organic matter. If you're lucky, you will see them in their
juvenile form in the pond. The most common newts and salamanders you
may see in your pond are the red spotted newt, spotted salamander,
tiger salamander, mud salamander, red-backed salamanders, two-lined
salamanders, and the dusky salamander.
Pond Reptiles
These guys are very much misunderstood, and therefore feared by
most people. These animals eat almost anything in the pond ecosystem.
While nothing in that system eats them.
Snakes
Snakes eat fish and frogs rather frequently. The good thing about
snakes is that they also eat pesky rodents found around the yard and
pond. Most ponds will not have snakes. If you do, don't freak out.
Just be cautious when you open the skimmer box or tinker around the
pond so as not to provoke them. Some of the common kinds of snakes
you'll find around ponds are garter snakes, blacksnakes, and common
water snakes.
Turtles
Turtles are a more welcome addition to a pond. Large turtles can
eat fish, and they do in natural lakes and ponds. Typically in
backyard ponds, turtles don't eat fish. They'd rather munch on fish
food and all types of vegetation. They actually make very tame and
wonderful pets. Some common turtles found around ponds are musk
turtles, mud turtles, painted turtles, pond sliders, and spiny
softshell turtles.
Other Animals
Other animals that spend time near the pond and depend on the pond
ecosystem for some part of their food or water source include
raccoons, deer, and birds. Naturally, animals are dependent on water.
How Does Pond Building Affect the Ecosystem?
We should remember that our backyard water
features are not only enjoyable for us, but also necessary for the
well being and functioning of our environment. As we understand how
water gardens and ponds work, and what plants and animals live in
them, we learn to appreciate nature instead of being scared of it. So
relax, nothing in your pond will hurt you!
Do you want your pond to be more diverse? Given
time and some proper plant selection in and around the pond, you can
create a very diverse ecosystem in your yard. Just remember to keep it
simple, and with patience, your ponds and water gardens will
mature over the years into beautiful parts of nature.
One pond in your backyard may not seem very
important, but when you have a thousand similar backyard ecosystems
functioning simultaneously. there's truly a positive impact being made
on the environment. Large amounts of habitat are restored for frogs,
toads, newts, and salamanders, all of whose numbers have been
declining sharply for many years now. Birds have also been driven from
many of their natural wetland habitats, which they need so desperately
to survive. So at a grassroots level, as the pond and water garden
industry grows, there are additional habitats and diversity being
added to our stressed suburban environments.
The content of the Pond & Water Garden Resources Website comes from
the book Pond Builders Bible everything Aquascape Designs Does
Revealed. Published by Aquascape Designs, Inc. / The
Pond Guy Publications. | Batavia, IL |
