An emergent aquatic plant is a type of plant that grows in water or wetlands, but has its leaves and flowers above the water surface. Emergent aquatic plants are also known as marginal plants or bog plants. Some examples of emergent aquatic plants are cattails, bulrushes, water lilies, lotuses, and irises.
Emergent aquatic plants play an important role in the ecosystem of ponds, lakes, rivers, and marshes. They provide food, shelter, and oxygen for fish, birds, insects, and other wildlife. They also help filter the water, prevent erosion, and stabilize the shoreline. Emergent aquatic plants can also enhance the aesthetic value and biodiversity of a water body.
However, emergent aquatic plants can also pose some challenges for humans and the environment. Some emergent aquatic plants can become invasive and overgrow, crowding out native species and reducing water quality. They can also interfere with navigation, recreation, irrigation, and drainage. Therefore, emergent aquatic plants need to be managed carefully and responsibly, using methods such as mechanical removal, biological control, chemical treatment, or integrated management.
In this article, we will explore the characteristics, benefits, and challenges of emergent aquatic plants, as well as some tips on how to grow and care for them in your own backyard pond or garden.
Emergent aquatic plants have some common characteristics that distinguish them from other types of aquatic plants, such as submerged plants, floating plants, or free-floating plants. These characteristics are:
They have roots that are anchored in the soil or sediment at the bottom of the water body.
They have stems that are erect and rigid, capable of supporting the weight of the leaves and flowers above the water surface.
They have leaves that are usually broad and flat, adapted to capture sunlight and perform photosynthesis.
They have flowers that are often showy and colorful, attracting pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
They have seeds that are dispersed by wind, water, animals, or humans.
Some emergent aquatic plants can also have special adaptations that help them survive in wet or flooded conditions, such as:
Aerenchyma: a tissue that contains air spaces, allowing the plant to transport oxygen from the leaves to the roots.
Rhizomes: underground stems that store food and water, and produce new shoots and roots.
Tubers: swollen parts of the stem or root that store food and water, and can sprout new plants.
Stolons: horizontal stems that grow along the soil surface, and produce new plants at the nodes.
Benefits of Emergent Aquatic Plants
Emergent aquatic plants provide many benefits for the ecosystem and humans, such as:
Food: Emergent aquatic plants are a source of food for many animals, such as fish, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. Some emergent aquatic plants are also edible for humans, such as watercress, water chestnut, arrowhead, and lotus.
Shelter: Emergent aquatic plants create a habitat and refuge for many animals, especially those that need to hide from predators or find a place to nest and breed. Some animals that depend on emergent aquatic plants for shelter are ducks, geese, herons, frogs, turtles, dragonflies, and damselflies.
Oxygen: Emergent aquatic plants produce oxygen through photosynthesis, which is essential for the respiration of aquatic animals and the decomposition of organic matter. Emergent aquatic plants also help oxygenate the water by creating turbulence and mixing the water layers.
Water quality: Emergent aquatic plants help improve the water quality by filtering out sediments, nutrients, pollutants, and pathogens. Emergent aquatic plants also reduce the growth of algae and cyanobacteria, which can cause harmful algal blooms and deplete the oxygen in the water.
Erosion control: Emergent aquatic plants help prevent erosion by stabilizing the soil and sediment with their roots and rhizomes. Emergent aquatic plants also reduce the impact of waves and currents on the shoreline, and trap sediments and organic matter.
Aesthetic value: Emergent aquatic plants add beauty and diversity to the landscape, creating a natural and serene atmosphere. Emergent aquatic plants also attract wildlife, such as birds and butterflies, which can enhance the enjoyment and appreciation of nature.
Biodiversity: Emergent aquatic plants support a rich and diverse community of plants and animals, contributing to the ecological balance and resilience of the ecosystem. Emergent aquatic plants also provide genetic resources for conservation and research.
Emergent aquatic plants can also pose some challenges for humans and the environment, such as:
Invasiveness: Some emergent aquatic plants can become invasive and overgrow, crowding out native species and reducing the diversity and function of the ecosystem. Some examples of invasive emergent aquatic plants are purple loosestrife, water hyacinth, alligator weed, and phragmites.
Interference: Some emergent aquatic plants can interfere with human activities and infrastructure, such as navigation, recreation, irrigation, and drainage. Emergent aquatic plants can also create hazards for boaters, swimmers, and anglers, by entangling propellers, lines, and nets.
Health risks: Some emergent aquatic plants can pose health risks for humans and animals, such as allergies, skin irritation, and poisoning. Some emergent aquatic plants can also harbor vectors of diseases, such as mosquitoes, snails, and leeches.
Tips on Growing and Caring for Emergent Aquatic Plants
If you want to grow and care for emergent aquatic plants in your own backyard pond or garden, here are some tips to follow:
Choose the right plants: Select emergent aquatic plants that are suitable for your climate, soil, water, and light conditions. Avoid planting invasive or exotic species that can harm the native ecosystem. Check with your local authorities or nurseries for the list of recommended or prohibited plants in your area.
Prepare the site: Prepare the site where you want to plant the emergent aquatic plants, by clearing any weeds, rocks, or debris. Dig a hole or trench that is deep and wide enough to accommodate the roots or rhizomes of the plants. Fill the hole or trench with a layer of gravel, sand, or soil, depending on the type of plant.
Plant the plants: Plant the emergent aquatic plants in the hole or trench, making sure that the crown or base of the plant is at or slightly above the water level. Cover the roots or rhizomes with more gravel, sand, or soil, and tamp it down firmly. Water the plants well and mulch them with straw, bark, or pebbles, to retain moisture and prevent weeds.
Maintain the plants: Maintain the emergent aquatic plants by watering them regularly, especially during dry or hot periods. Fertilize them sparingly, using a slow-release or organic fertilizer, to avoid nutrient runoff and algae growth. Prune them periodically, removing any dead, diseased, or damaged parts, and controlling any unwanted or invasive growth.
Enjoy the plants: Enjoy the emergent aquatic plants by observing and appreciating their beauty and diversity. Watch and learn from the wildlife that visit and live among the plants. Harvest and use the plants for food, medicine, or crafts, if they are edible or useful.
Emergent aquatic plants are a type of plant that grows in water or wetlands, but has its leaves and flowers above the water surface. They provide many benefits for the ecosystem and humans, such as food, shelter, oxygen, water quality, erosion control, aesthetic value, and biodiversity. However, they can also pose some challenges for humans and the environment, such as invasiveness, interference, and health risks. Therefore, emergent aquatic plants need to be managed carefully and responsibly, using methods such as mechanical removal, biological control, chemical treatment, or integrated management. If you want to grow and care for emergent aquatic plants in your own backyard pond or garden, you need to choose the right plants, prepare the site, plant the plants, maintain the plants, and enjoy the plants.
I hope you found this article informative and helpful. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for reading!
