Download Our Florida Ponds and Lakes - Lee County Extension

Our Florida Ponds and
Lakes
Roy Beckford – Natural Resources Agent
University of Florida, IFAS Lee County
Florida’s Natural Landscapes
Dry Flatwoods
Wet Flatwoods
Wetlands
Diagrammatic View
Claiming the Land
Infrastructure
Runoff
Differences
Developed areas
Planted landscapes
40% evaporation
30% Evaporation
55% runoff
10% shallow
infiltration
5% deep
Infiltration
10% runoff
25% shallow
infiltration
25% deep
infiltration
Urban Lakes…or Retention Ponds?
Retention and storm-water management ponds…
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Are a permanent fixture on
much of Florida's landscape.
Without them, Florida would
not be able to support its
growing population safely or
efficiently.
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Are found in developments
that were built in wetlands or
wet areas
Urban Lakes…or Retention Ponds?
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They are dug to accept the nutrient and pollutant laden
water that drains from paved roads and yards of the
development to prevent deterioration of "downstream"
natural lakes and rivers.
Runoff water gathers oil, gas, pesticides, heavy
metals, fertilizers, bacteria, and nutrients as it flows
over roadways and parking lots.
These pollutants could cause serious harm if they
flowed directly into water bodies without any filtration
or decomposition.
Swales and Berms…
…And Outlet Pipes
Okay, so where do
these pollutants
go from there?
The Chemical/Nutrient Problem
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Though retention ponds are a necessary
part of Florida's landscape, they often look
unnaturally bleak
What's more, these man-made ponds are
easily invaded by non-native plants, and are
further ‘uglified’ by algae blooms...
Algae are there to naturally feed on the
excess nutrients present in the pond
Solution…Aquascaping!
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Aquascaping aids in
pollutant filtration
Beautifies the constructed
pond and its shoreline
Hides the runoff areas
Controls erosion of the
pond banks
Attracts wildlife
Increases much-needed
wildlife habitat in urban
settings
Helps control invasive nonnative plants
Planting the Littoral Zone
Absence of Shoreline
Plants…Presence of Shore
Problems?
So where are the
birds?
Importance of Shoreline Plants
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Shoreline
vegetation is
important for
many species
of foraging and
nesting birds,
as well as for
birds seeking
shelter and
protective
cover
Common Moorhen
White Ibis
Anhinga
Immature White Ibis
How Shoreline Plants Help
Plant stems and leaves
provide protective nursery
areas for young fish
Aquatic insects use the
plant stems and leaves for
food and habitat
Plant leaves
photosynthesize and put
oxygen into the water
column where it can by
used by fish and other
animals
How Shoreline Plants Help
The leaves of water lilies
and other plants shade
and cool the bottom of
the lake.
Flexible stems and
leaves rock gently back
and forth, absorbing
wave energy which
would otherwise wear
away at the shoreline,
causing shoreline erosion
and sediment in the
water.
How Shoreline Plants Help
Dense networks of plant
roots bind the sediment,
thus reducing erosion.
These roots also
intercept groundwater
and remove
contaminants before
they are transported into
the overlying lake waters
How Aquatic Plants Help
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Ponds and lakes are great big
sponges for excess nutrients and
pollution.
During the long days of summer,
a lake or pond will produce great
quantities of oxygen because
plants produce oxygen as a byproduct of their growth
(photosynthesis).
How Aquatic Plants Help
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Creating pond buffer
plantings around the edge
of the water is very popular
and productive.
Popular because it looks
good (to birds too!)
Productive because it
reduces nutrient and
chemical pollution.
Some Native Aquatic Plants for
Florida Ponds
Lipocarpha
Yellow Canna
Jointed Spikerush
Tape Grass
Pickerel Weed
Fragrant Water Lily
Some Non-native Invasive Aquatic
Weeds of Florida Ponds
Water Hyacinth
Water Lettuce
Torpedo Grass
Landscape Plants…Not Just Grass
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Plants in your yard help
slow the surface run-off and
allow more water to seep
into the ground.
This ground water then
emerges into the ponds on
a much more even basis.
Parting thought…
A pond is also a good indicator of the present condition
of your immediate environment. Every pond supports a
variety of life forms that can easily be identified and
studied.
Ponds not only provide us with a wealth of resources,
they also afford tremendous recreational value to
community members. It is very important that we realize
the value of this resource and take steps to protect it
from any adverse use or effects.