Page 4 - AFD Pond Owners Handbook

Pond Ecology
Pond
Ecology
Understanding Pond Ecology
The goal in water gardening
today is the creation of
a naturally balanced,
low-maintenance aquatic
ecosystem that allows
water gardeners more
relaxation time by their
aquatic paradises, and
less time worrying about
maintenance.
What Is an Ecosystem?
In biological terms, a community
or ecosystem can be defined as
plants and animals interacting
with one another in the sharing of
available resources and restraints
in a defined area. An ecosystem
encompasses all the parts of this
4 The Pond Owner’s Handbook
O One pond in one backyard may Pond Ecology
not seem very important, but
“Backyard water
backyard ecosystems functioning
features are not only when you have a thousand similar
simultaneously, there truly is a
enjoyable for us, but positive impact being made on the
environment. These water features
also necessary for help provide an oasis for creatures
whose natural habitats have been
the sustainability of frogs, toads, newts and salamanders,
replaced by development – birds,
and many others whose numbers
our environment.”
have been declining sharply for
many years now.
hobby of water gardening grows, Given a little time and proper plant selection in
So at a grassroots level, as the
there are additional habitats and
diversity being added to our stressed
and around your pond, you can create a very
suburban environments.
diverse ecosystem in your yard.
The AquascapeEcosystem
Plants Plant Pockets Fish Rocks & Gravel Bacteria
• Marginal plants can be planted directly • Best way to get rid of unsightly • • Contrary to popular opinion, adding rocks and gravel reduces pond maintenance • AquaClearer ™ Extreme bacteria
planting containers
in the gravel. Their roots will spread • Each pocket is about 6” deep successfully kept, and even bred, • Gravel, unlike a smooth pond liner, provides surface area for bacteria to colonize naturally balances the pond.
throughout the gravel, cleaning the
in water that is only two feet deep
• Covering the pond liner with gravel protects the liner from harmful UV rays and
pond by using nutrients and growing • They promote health in plant as far north as Zone 4 (MN). • The rocks and gravel also help hold down the liner during high ground water
damage from animals and other sharp objects
vigorously.
development by allowing the roots to
spread through surrounding gravel
• Finally, a stone bottom looks far more natural and is safer to walk on than an
exposed slippery rubber liner
environment, including the living The Big Picture
plants and animals, water, air, We should remember that our
and the sun’s energy. Backyard backyard water features are not
ponds can function as ecosystems only enjoyable for us, but also
because they play host to a total necessary for the sustainability of our
interrelationship of all organisms in environment. Do you want your pond
the environment – birds, fish, frogs, to be more diverse? Given a little time
®
plants, and many microscopic and proper plant selection in and Skimmer BIOFALLS Filter
organisms. These ponds not only around your pond, you can create a • Eliminates routine maintenance by removing debris before it sinks • Creates a perfect base for building beautiful, leak-free waterfalls.
• Requires only once a year cleaning when used in combination with
to the bottom of the pond which allows pond construction in any
location, even directly beneath trees.
create a natural ecosystem in their very diverse ecosystem in your yard. • Requires only two to three minutes every other week to clean while Liner • A non-clogging swirl chamber allows even distribution of water,
standing outside the pond.
defined environment, but they also Just remember to keep it simple and, • Hides the pump and plumbing from view alongside your pond instead • Strong 45-mil EPDM liner is the best • Can be sunk into the ground for a stream effect or raised to create
a greater water drop.
of in the pond.
•
choice for most pond installations
fit into the community or life cycle with patience, your pond will mature • Won’t drain the pond down if a leak develops in the plumbing or waterfalls. Underlayment • Unlike concrete, it is easy and • Simple, uncluttered design. No moving parts to break. ™
•
•
inexpensive to install and won’t crack
• A non-woven, needle punched underlayment
discharge piping above the water line.
forms a soft padding for the liner
of not just one backyard, but of the over the years into a beautiful and • Keeps the pump free from clogging by trapping waste in a catch area • Unlike newspapers, it’s quick to install • When covered with stone, it has a • BIOFALLS ® ™
40-year life expectancy
using rocks, plants and gravel.
before it reaches the pump.
• Unlike sand, it completely covers the vertical
entire ecological region. functioning part of nature. • High-density polyethylene construction assures strength with areas of the pond shelves • If a leak ever were to occur, a simple BIOFALLS ® Filter have 50% more surface area than traditional mats.
inner-tube patch kit can make it as
extreme durability.
• Patent Pending – adjustable faceplate on Signature Series ™ has four • Unlike carpet padding, it allows gases to escape good as new • Customize one or more waterfall opening on Endless Cascades ™
inches of travel, enabling you to tweak out the perfect water level. out the sides while looking more professional
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