Wednesday, September 08, 2004

Shore Habitat

The littoral, or shore habitat, extends from the water's edge outward as far as the rooted plants grow and is the most active and energy rich part of the pond. There are generally three distinct borders of flowering plants that makes up this zone. We almost have all three but the banks are so steep that only two are really obvious. Immediately adjacent to the shore in the emergent plant zone are Pickrell Rush, Penny-wort, Parrot's feather, Cattails, and two small clusters of the Dwarf Papyrus on the East and West ends of the pond. Farther out, in the floating plant zone are the Yellow WaterLilies and more of the Penny-wort. In the area that surrounds the center of the pond is the submersed plant zone, and I think the Parrot's feather is the primary plant. Although in many places all of these are considered weeds, or noxious invaders, their enthusiasm for spreading is hampered in this arid environment.