Types of Water Plants
Water plants‚ or aquatic plants‚ are a major component in the habitat structure and appearance in ponds‚ lakes and streams and are seen to vary considerably in shape and function․ Without these plants‚ the enormous majority of natural scenes associated with lakes‚ rivers‚ marshes‚ and other wetlands would look barren‚ since these plants are present in large quantities above and below the water surface․ It is noteworthy that the plants associated with water in the atmosphere and water in the soil include such well-known plants as water lilies and submerged aquatic plants such as grasses․
Floating plants may include water lilies‚ a common example of the kind of floating plant with large leaves‚ as well as duckweeds․ They provide an attractive feature‚ keep the water cool below‚ and provide shade and habitat for small animals․ Submerged plants such as eelgrass and coontail grow below the water surface․ The leaves of these plants contribute oxygen and food for the fish and other animals․ Emergent plants such as cattails and bulrushes grow above the water surface․ They contribute structural habitat and provide nesting sites for birds․ It is only when we understand the range of types of plants‚ that we can begin to see how they fit into the complicated mosaic of life in and around the water․
Impact on Local Ecosystems
In addition to improving the aesthetic qualities of any landscape or environment they are placed in‚ aquatic plants play a key role in water purification‚ as their growth allows them to sequester excess nutrients or toxins from the water․ Plants give the water dissolved oxygen through photosynthesis‚ and provide habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms․ Many of the water plants also keep the sediment on the bottom of the lake or stream in place‚ and protect the shorelines from being washed away․ Because of the various roles that water plants play in the water ecosystem‚ healthy water plant populations are a vital aspect of the overall quality of water habitats․
Water plants are important to the environment․ They are home to‚ and are an important part of‚ the life cycles of many species of insects‚ amphibians‚ fish and birds․ Water plants are a habitat containing food‚ shelter and nesting places for many species that rely upon them for food and cover․ The amount of fish in a given area is often directly correlated with the amount of water plants in that same area․ Water plants provide food and cover from predators‚ and the combination of both plant and fish life leads to a self-sustaining aquatic population․
Which plants to select for introduction to a water body as water plants depends on the size and depth of the water body‚ how much sunlight it receives‚ and its climate․ Local nurseries may have specific advice for the best species to use in particular areas‚ as may local environmental organizations․ You should consider plants that are native to the area or grow well in the area․ Invasive plants can disrupt the local ecosystem․ The use of specific species may make the water bodies and wetlands more appealing‚ more healthy and better for wildlife in their areas․
Common Maintenance Practices
The care of aquatic plants can involve physical maintenance‚ which can include monitoring for growth or die-off‚ since too much or too little growth can damage the balance of aquatic life․ Overgrown areas can be trimmed back to ensure that light does not become blocked for other plants that are more essential and have been stifled underneath the more overgrown portions․ Control can also be achieved through the nutrient level in water by simply reducing the runoff from rural or urban areas or using community organizations that have the experience and capacity to preserve and grow these plants in water․
In conclusion‚ water plants are often thought of as simply decoration for ponds and lakes‚ but they are vital for the health and stability of aquatic habitats․ By learning about the different types of water plants‚ and their benefits‚ we can gain a greater appreciation for their role in nature․ From binding up harmful pollutants‚ to providing homes for fish and wildlife‚ the plants that live in water are the foundations of the ecosystems that provide us with food‚ water‚ recreation‚ and other vital resources; they are the responsibility of all stewards of our planet for the years ahead․ The next time you are by a lake or a pond‚ remember that the water plants are silently supporting a community of life which you may never see․
