Most farm ponds are
created as a water resource and aquatic habitat. Ponds
and lakes are bodies of standing water and are shallow
enough to have the sunshine reach the bottom of the pond
or lake. The difference between a lake and pond is only
its size. Plants will root in the muddy bottom and help
keep the water clean, as well as provide food and oxygen
for fish. The oxygen levels in a body of water vary
greatly because fish take in oxygen at a higher rate
than the water can absorb it from the air. Therefore,
plants are a vital part of a healthy eco system. Tiny free floating plants, like plankton, also create oxygen and serve as food for fish.
Since plants only
can grow where the sunlight can reach, most life in a
pond or lake is found around the outer ring of the
shoreline. Some fish use the cover of plant life in
order to hide from predators or spawn. Pond succession
happens when water runs downhill through the pond's
watershed, bringing more mud and slowly filling the pond
and decreasing its depth. Decaying plants and fish can
enrich the plant life, but also can contribute further
to decreasing the water level and eventually could turn
a pond in to wetlands. Surface water also can cause
water pollution. Compared to a pond, a lake's oxygen
level stays more even during a 24 hour period because
the wind can create higher waves and therefore get more
oxygen mixed in to the water. The more constant oxygen
level has a positive effect on the lake's eco system. Harrison Fishery can
give you expert advice on the development and care of
your lake or pond to ensure a healthy environment for
your fish and provide long term enjoyment.
The shoreline zone
of a lake is much like the pond's eco system. Large fish
can be found in the open-water-zone, while bacteria and
other decomposers live in the oxygen-poor deep-water
zone. The design of an eco system depends not only on
your environment and size of lake or pond, but also on
your goals. Do you want to create a natural habitat that
is self sufficient or do you enjoy feeding your fish?
The type of fish you stock also dictates the feeder fish
and vegetation needed. Our eco specialists at Harrison Fishery can help you decide the type and number of plants to use in your pond in order to establish your own unique eco system. |
