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Pond Biology:
One of the really important aspects of Pond ownership is to have a basic understanding of how each of the various inhabitants contribute to the overall health of the Pond.
So, dust off your study cap, we are going back to school!
Each organism, whether it be plant or animal, occupies an important niche in the cycle of aquatic life. I have found that the easiest way to remember each organism's place in this cycle is to remember who eats what. This is referred to as the Food Chain.
Lets start at the bottom of this Food Chain with our first group of organisms, They are:
- Fungi
- Algae
- Bacteria
- Archaea*
Bacteria and Algae break down dead plants and animals, and re-cycle and release major chemicals into the aquatic environment. Algae, being a plant, releases oxygen into the water. This is an important role in the aeration process. At times, this oxygen release can be greater than what the water absorbs from the atmosphere. Algae are very important.
In regards to Bacteria. their role in any Freshwater system is important. In a constructed Pond, because it is a closed system, their numbers must be considerably greater; hence the need for Biological Filtration. This is especially true if the Pond has a population of Fish.
Bacteria must exist in sufficient numbers to break-down the waste materials that are associated with Fish (Ammonia, excrement and uneaten Fish Food).
Biological Filters provide exceptional surface area upon which the Bacteria can colonize. These filters should be sized in proportion to the total water volume of the Pond. Oversizing of Biological Filters is recommended for more efficient bacterial processes and reduced maintenance.
Archaea are a recent addition to the known microorganisms that have a direct influence on water quality, especially in the oxidation of Nitrogen.
Fungi also live on decaying organic matter.
Here is where split into Plants and Animals:
All plants convert Carbon Dioxide into Oxygen through Photosynthesis. The emergent plants release this into the atmosphere. Other submerged forms release it directly into the water. All plants feed on the waste products of Bacteria, Algae and Fungi. They are themselves food for various species of animals including Man.
Animal life in aquatic environments is quite diverse as are their feeding habits.
The simplest form are one-celled and include our old friends the Amoeba and Paramecium (remember High School Biology). They feed on Bacteria, Algae and even each other.
Next comes the Worms. UGH! There are round worms, flat worms and flukes. Flatworms feed on small invertebrates. Flukes are mostly parasitic. Roundworms feed on small invertebrates, algae, or suck the tissue of higher plants.
Snails will eat organic debris, algae and in some cases parts of higher plants.
Arthropods are too numerous and space is too limited to cover all of the species and classes. I will mention only those that are usually observed.
FACTOID - Arthropods encompass more than 750,000 species and contain about 80% of all known animal species.
In this huge group we find mayflies, dragonflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, beetles, flies and bugs. There is a great diversity in feeding habits (carnivorous, herbivorous and omnivorous species are all common). Dragonflies are usually the first insect one thinks of when ponds are mentioned. They are fascinating creatures and are quite docile IN THEIR ADULT STAGE! The nymph stage is purely aquatic and in no way resembles the air dancer that it becomes. The dragonfly nymph is quite a ferocious critter and will not hesitate to attack prey larger than itself. One of it's favorite meals is a plump tadpole which it will stalk much like a cat.
Next up are fish. Freshwater fish are usually the dominant creature in ponds. Those usually found in a garden setting may include Comets, Shubunkins and Koi. They are all omnivorous and in the case of Koi. Cannabalistic.
Frogs and toads, for our purposes, round out our Food Chain. They are very beneficial creatures as both juveniles and adults. As tadpoles they are quite the scavengers, constantly eating-eating anything and everything. They remind me of vacuum cleaners, only mini. They are the best at keeping a pond clean. As adults, frogs consume mostly insects as do toads, but one of a toad's favorite meals is the common garden slug. If you are a gardener, you can appreciate the significance of this.
Hey! You didn't mention turtles. You are right; and for a very good reason. Turtles are very destructive. The common box turtle will devour all of your prize aquatic plants, whereas the snapping turtle will devour all of the frogs AND all of your fish. You do not want a turtle in your pond!!!
As you can see each creature relies on the organism(s) beneath them in the Food Chain for nourishment. As you go up the Food Chain, each level is of less importance to the balance of the Pond than the preceding level. Conversely, each level is very dependent on the preceding level(s). Think of it as a pyramid with the bacteria being the base. Without this large base the higher levels can not properly function. This bacteriological base is all important, not just in an aquatic environment. Without this base there would be no bread, no cheese, no Ribeye steak, no McDonald's or Pizza Hut. As a matter of fact, I would not be here to write this nor would you be around to read it.
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