Greenscape Alliance: Your pond's 'littoral zone' does more than you think

22.05.12

Water is one of our greatest natural resources here in south Florida. During the summer months, abundant rainfall enables us to enjoy lush green landscapes and water-dependant recreational opportunities like fishing and swimming. Without clean coastal waters, Naples would not be known for its beautiful beaches that draw people from across the world and drive our local economy.

Each fall we are reminded of the value of this precious resource. As the summer rains dissipate, the lack of water becomes visually evident in the lakes and ponds of our communities. Lower water levels in winter leave many of our ponds bare edges, or a sort of "ring around the tub" appearance.

While many of the ponds in our communities appear natural, nearly all are man-made and specifically designed for the purpose of capturing and treating polluted runoff from the surrounding landscape. This runoff carries a wide range of pollutants, including heavy metals from automobiles, salts, fertilizers, fecal matter from pets, and sediments from erosion. These stormwater ponds help to reduce pollution by filtering runoff and allowing pollutants to precipitate into the sediments where they become trapped. Without stormwater ponds, more harmful substances would be allowed to enter our natural waterways, estuaries and bays. These man-made water filtration systems are essential to maintain local water quality.

Source: Naples Daily News