The word ecology comes from the Greek words meaning “study of the home.” Understanding pond ecology can help you to better understand the world around you. Everything has an impact on, or is impacted by, a pond in your backyard.
Ponds are one of the most important ecosystems on the planet. They play host to a total interrelationship of all organisms in the environment such as birds, fish, frogs, plants, and many microscopic organisms. So, ponds not only create a natural ecosystem in their defined environment, but they also fit into the community or life cycle of the entire ecological region. Now, that’s cool!
An ecological region is made up of thousands of elements. Water is the most basic of these. Each pond is a piece of the puzzle. As wild habitats are depleted due to commercial development and other factors, these pieces are eliminated. That is why it’s so important to restore and preserve as many of these “puzzle pieces” as possible. An all-natural backyard pond restores part of an ecosystem. So, don’t view your all-natural, ecosystem pond as an individual, independent, or unrelated element. See it instead as part of the big picture, the regional environment. You’re doing your part for nature by providing a natural pond, as opposed to a chemical-ridden hole in the ground, useless to the world around it. That is why ecosystem ponds are so important.
Ecosystem pondering can be easy to understand if you have a good grasp of what components go into a basic, functioning ecosystem. An ecosystem pond works with Mother Nature to provide food, shelter, and safety to the wildlife around it. It also provides you with an all-natural, low-maintenance piece of paradise. It’s important to remember, however, that every piece of the ecosystem puzzle must be present in order for a true ecosystem to be in place. Eliminate one of these elements and you’ve got an unbalanced ecosystem that won’t be so low-maintenance anymore. Check out the things you’ll need to get your ecosystem pond fired up:
- A Circulation System is really just a fancy way of saying “pumps and plumbing.” The proper size pump and pipe diameter are extremely important for the aesthetics of a water feature. More importantly, an efficient circulation system keeps the water moving and provides the necessary oxygen levels for healthy fish and plants.
- A Proper Filtration System includes the use of both a biological and a mechanical filter. A biological filter provides surface area for beneficial bacteria to colonize and remove excess nutrients from the water. A mechanical filter will not only pre-filter the water and house the pump; it will also skim debris from the water’s surface to prevent the accumulation of organic materials on the pond floor.
- Fish are an integral part of any ecosystem. Unfortunately, fish are often seen as creating a maintenance nightmare. Contrary to popular belief, fish will actually reduce pond maintenance, as they graze on string algae and bottom feed from the pond floor.
- Aquatic Plants are Mother Nature’s true filters. Plants are great for adding character to a pond by providing color and texture, but from a filtration perspective, they’re second to none. Thriving from the excess nutrients in a pond and depriving algae of its food source, the aquatic plants in a water garden, given proper coverage, are critical for the overall health of the ecosystem.
- Rocks, Gravel, and Bacteria have been a controversial element in the hobby for many years. Many enthusiasts have steered away from rocks and gravel out of fear that their system will become a maintenance nightmare. On the contrary, rocks and gravel will not only make your pond look more natural, they will also protect pond liners from UV light degradation and they provide tremendous surface area for beneficial bacteria to break down excess nutrients in the water and dissolved organic debris on the pond floor.
Having all these things in place makes all the difference in the health and success of your water garden. Use them and work with Mother Nature, not against here, for a chemical-free wonderland of water! The truth is that most people opt for the ecosystem way of water gardening because it’s easier and it just makes sense. Less time back-flushing your filters and vacuuming your liner, and more time to feed your fish and tend to you plants? Sounds great! With ecosystem pondering, you can’t go wrong!
