|
News & Info
|
 |
 |
Seller Signup...
Quality Service, Seller or Tradesperson? Sign Up Now!
|
|
Home & Garden Articles
Building A Balanced Ecosystem - Backyard Ponds
Tue 24 Jul 2007 - 14:24
Building A Balanced Ecosystem - Backyard Ponds
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Keith_Markensen]Keith Markensen
In yards where there is sufficient space, backyard ponds have
become a very popular addition. Even if a manicured lawn has no
garden area in site, many residents are choosing to add small
ponds, where a mini ecosystem of plant and animal life can live.
These outdoor garden ponds are beautiful and relaxing to be
around, providing a natural habitat in your own backyard.
The most difficult part of having a pond is keeping it clean and
clear. The pond can become more like a smelly, still swamp if it
is not maintained properly, or designed properly in the first
place. The following information will explain to you how to
design and maintain your pond to keep it clean and
inviting.
Balanced Ecosystem
One of the most important goals in designing your pond is to
create an ecosystem that is balanced and as natural as possible.
If you succeed in doing this, the pond will always be working to
clean itself, and your time spent on maintenance will reduce
drastically. You want to spend your time enjoying your pond, not
cleaning it, right?
Without creating a balanced ecosystem, excessive algae can
become a major problem. The water will become murky and have a
foul odor, and mosquitoes will be attracted to the still water.
The best way to avoid this, so you will be comfortable being
around your pond, is to put enough plants and animals in your
pond when you make it. Plants and animals will regulate the pond
as they do in natural ecosystems.
Regulating Algae Growth
The types of plants that you choose to put in your pond are
important in regulating algae growth. Algae needs plenty of
sunlight to grow, so choosing water plants that float on the
surface and create shade in the water will deter algae growth
under the surface. An excellent example of this are water
lilies.
Besides creating shade to deter algae growth, adding fish to the
pond will help keep it clean. Fish eat algae, so anything that
grows despite the shade created by the lilies will be regulated.
Whatever algae is still present will feed on the dead leaves and
other decaying plant matter in the pond. To avoid this, you
should clean the dead leaves out of the pond regularly, and/or
put plants in and around the pond that feed on the decaying
plants themselves. These plants need the mineral salts that are
produced by the decaying plants. If the plants feed on the
decaying plant matter before the algae can eat it, the algae will
starve and will die.
Part of the balanced ecosystem you create when you make your pond
extends past the shoreline itself. By putting plants on the land
outside of the pond, wildlife will be attracted to the area and
will help to naturally regulate the ecosystem. The plants will
create shade, plants and fish will eat any algae that grows, and
the birds and frogs will be attracted to the area and eat any
pesky bugs that may be around. The end result is a clean,
natural, beautiful backyard pond one you will be happy to spend
time around.
Keith Markensen examines the world of [http://www.plant-care.com/1600-backyard-landscaping.html]small backyard ponds and shares his years of landscape
experience at [http://www.plant-care.com]www.Plant-Care.com where you
always find professional landscaping advice online.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Markensen http://EzineArticles.com/?Building-A-Balanced-Ecosystem---Backyard-Ponds&id=656550
Looking for information on Building, Find a supplier at HomeWise.ie
back to Building articles
back to all home & garden articles
|
|