Pond Algae Management

Green Algae, Red, and Brown Pond Algae Control & Ecosystem Analysis

When an ecosystem experiences an increase in nutrients, primary producers reap the benefits first. In aquatic ecosystems, species such as algae experience a population increase (called an algal bloom). Algal blooms limit the sunlight available to bottom-dwelling organisms and cause wide swings in the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water. Oxygen is required by all respiring plants and animals and it is replenished in daylight by photosynthesizing plants and algae. Under eutrophic conditions, dissolved oxygen greatly increases during the day, but is greatly reduced after dark by the respiring algae and by microorganisms that feed on the increasing mass of dead algae.

There are many forms of algae, ranging from the microscopic life forms that give pond water its green tint to wispy clumps of filamentous algae floating in the water. Some of the larger pond plants growing from the pond bottom are actually branched forms of algae.

Without algae, your pond would not be able to host fish, frogs, bugs, or other living creatures. They are essential to having a healthy pond. Algae can also indicate problems with your pond. Excessive growth of algae and discoloration may mean that the water quality is in trouble. Clumped algae can also interfere with fishing and swimming. If a lot of algae die suddenly in cold weather, their decay can rob oxygen from the water, making your pond unsuitable for fish and other animals. This article explains different methods for preventing alga blooms and for treating algae in your pond.