water movement will be more likely to experi- ence algae and weed growth than a large, deep lake or one with lots of movement.
Te chemical characteristics, the second leg of the stool, refer to natural water quality components that can be measured, such as temperature, dis- solved oxygen, pH, nutrients, water clarity, dis- solved metals, salts and many other parameters. Poor water quality in lakes and ponds often occurs when these parameters become imbalanced in one direction or another. Tis is often caused by pol- luted runoff entering the waterbody that contains fertilizer, pet or wildlife waste, landscaping debris (grass clipping and leaves) and other organic ma- terials. Tis process of nutrient “pollution” is one of the most common causes of chemical imbal- ance in a freshwater ecosystem.
Te third biological component of the stool com- prises all living things, including algae, plants, bugs, fish and microorganisms. Nutrient pollu- tion is an example of how one component can directly affect another; nutrients encourage algae and aquatic plant growth. While moderate levels of growth are natural and provide habitat and
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food for fish and wildlife, algae and aquatic weed growth can proliferate under imbalanced condi- tions. Without proper management, nuisance al- gae and vegetation can block sunlight, limit access for fishing and boating, and compromise aesthet- ics. As these increased populations of plants and algae decay as part of their natural lifecycle, they will release more nutrients into the waterbody to fuel additional growth, creating a vicious cycle. In the process, the risk of fish kills, offensive odors, accumulation of bottom muck and nuisance insect populations can all increase—further offsetting the balance of the waterbody’s physical, chemical and biological characteristics.
Having knowledge about the benefits of proactive management, and sustainable tools and technolo- gies at our fingertips, adds a fourth, stabilizing “leg” to the “three-legged stool.” With a proactive management in place—even if one of the other components is slightly out of balance—the stool may wobble but will not fall over. In other words, problems that might normally be detrimental for a lake or pond can be identified and resolved early on before they can impact other aspects of the eco- system.
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