Top 5 Reasons to Have a Beneficial Vegetative Buffer Around Your Pond
November 20th, 2014
Written by Industry Expert Kyle Finerfrock, Environmental Scientist
Shoreline vegetative buffers in the littoral area surrounding a pond can be a great natural enhancement to the aquatic environment. Allowing a proper vegetative buffer to grow is a proactive way to increase the lifespan of your waterbody and help improve the overall health of your pond.
Littoral Zone Plantings: Top 5 Reasons
- Buffer zones (plantings in the pond littoral zone) improve water quality and prevent pond algae blooms by filtering excess nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen from entering the water column.
- Beneficial vegetative buffers in the littoral area of lakes and ponds help to maintain shoreline stability and prevent erosion and sedimentation.
- Pond buffer plantings provide good habitats for birds, and help to deter and control mosquitos by minimizing the habitat for their breeding and providing good habitat for natural insect predators such as dragonflies.
- When shoreline buffers in the littoral zone of lakes or ponds are allowed to grow three feet tall or greater, and are maintained in such a way that they are dense and thick, they provide a major deterrent to nuisance Canada geese from becoming full time residents to your site.
- Buffers reduce the need for constant treatments, lowering the long term costs associated with pond management and increasing the aesthetic value of your lake or pond.
Pond Littoral Zone Vegetative Buffers
Vegetative buffers in the littoral zone are important for any pond, but they must be maintained in order to ensure they are functioning properly. Specific beneficial vegetation such as native grasses, sedges, rushes and wildflowers growing in a buffer can enhance the aesthetic look of your pond. The wrong plants, such as cattails or trees, can potentially create problems for your pond if left uncontrolled. A lake management specialist can guide you in creating a beautiful and functional vegetative buffer.
Kyle Finerfrock is an Environmental Scientist with SOLitude Lake Management. Since 1998, SOLitude Lake Management has been committed to providing full service lake and pond management services that improve water quality, preserve natural resources, and reduce our environmental footprint. Services are available throughout the Eastern United States. Fisheries management consulting and aquatic products are available nationwide. Learn more about SOLitude Lake Management and purchase products at www.solitudelakemanagement.com.
