Logan Staley
Professor Owen
1180
10-24-17 Productivity of a Pond
Ponds are found across the entire world; although, each and every pond has a different set of characteristics that sets one apart from another. One pond can be much more productive than another due to location, organisms present, and balances or imbalances. Productive ponds rely on a variety of different factors that determine the overall productivity of the given ecosystem. The organisms that live in the pond will determine the majority of the overall quality of the ecosystem. Every ecosystem has a food chain, at the bottom of a ponds food chain are microscopic organisms; a.k.a. plankton, algae, or insect larvae. Many smaller and or microscopic organisms rely on them …show more content…
Not only that, but when too many nutrients are present, they often suffer severe algae blooms. In consequence, the bloom creates a mat on the surface of the water blocking all the sunlight. When no sunlight reaches the water, the plants beneath cannot create oxygen through photosynthesis. Overall, the consequences of having a pond with too many nutrients are algae blooms, die-offs of organisms and plants, and a murky water color.
Every pond is a part of a bigger environment, every part of the world rests in a different climate; therefore, a different set of variables that make the pond unique. Several factors determine a pond's ecosystem. The water temperature, flow, and salinity are all variables, but the most important part of the ecosystem is the percentage of dissolved oxygen within the body of water. In ponds with high levels of dissolved oxygen, the fish and other organisms are able to thrive, although; anaerobic bacteria are unable to survive when too much dissolved oxygen is …show more content…
Productive ponds contain a healthy level of insects and zooplankton. They are both eaten by small fish such as minnows and the young of bigger fish. In return those same minnows or smaller fish are eaten by large carnivorous insects, large fish eating birds, or medium sized predatory fish. In return, the medium sized fish are preyed upon by larger predatory fish. Depending on the environment at which the pond is located in, the large fish are then eaten by top predators such as otters, osprey, herons and humans. A proper balanced pond will have equal levels of predator and prey; when a pond is able to sustain both levels, it equals out to a fully operational food chain. When the organisms reach their demise, their bodies add nutrients back into the water and allows better growth for both phytoplankton and rooted water
Professor Owen
1180
10-24-17 Productivity of a Pond
Ponds are found across the entire world; although, each and every pond has a different set of characteristics that sets one apart from another. One pond can be much more productive than another due to location, organisms present, and balances or imbalances. Productive ponds rely on a variety of different factors that determine the overall productivity of the given ecosystem. The organisms that live in the pond will determine the majority of the overall quality of the ecosystem. Every ecosystem has a food chain, at the bottom of a ponds food chain are microscopic organisms; a.k.a. plankton, algae, or insect larvae. Many smaller and or microscopic organisms rely on them …show more content…
Not only that, but when too many nutrients are present, they often suffer severe algae blooms. In consequence, the bloom creates a mat on the surface of the water blocking all the sunlight. When no sunlight reaches the water, the plants beneath cannot create oxygen through photosynthesis. Overall, the consequences of having a pond with too many nutrients are algae blooms, die-offs of organisms and plants, and a murky water color.
Every pond is a part of a bigger environment, every part of the world rests in a different climate; therefore, a different set of variables that make the pond unique. Several factors determine a pond's ecosystem. The water temperature, flow, and salinity are all variables, but the most important part of the ecosystem is the percentage of dissolved oxygen within the body of water. In ponds with high levels of dissolved oxygen, the fish and other organisms are able to thrive, although; anaerobic bacteria are unable to survive when too much dissolved oxygen is …show more content…
Productive ponds contain a healthy level of insects and zooplankton. They are both eaten by small fish such as minnows and the young of bigger fish. In return those same minnows or smaller fish are eaten by large carnivorous insects, large fish eating birds, or medium sized predatory fish. In return, the medium sized fish are preyed upon by larger predatory fish. Depending on the environment at which the pond is located in, the large fish are then eaten by top predators such as otters, osprey, herons and humans. A proper balanced pond will have equal levels of predator and prey; when a pond is able to sustain both levels, it equals out to a fully operational food chain. When the organisms reach their demise, their bodies add nutrients back into the water and allows better growth for both phytoplankton and rooted water