NE Chad summarizes a recent lesson:
sunlight + nutrients = phytoplankton.
Once a pond has phytoplankton the Lord says, "Let there be zooplankton in the pond." (Please note: I'm not really sure about this part. )
Together, phytoplankton and zooplankton (plankton) create the base of the food web. Phytoplankton are eaten by zooplankton, other aquatic organism (e.g. worms, snails, and insects), and some fishes. Zooplankton are eaten by other zooplankton, aquatic organism, and some fishes.
Nutrients are supplied through the natural byproducts of the food cycle and external sources, primarily runoff, which also adds sediment. An over abundance of nutrients can create too high of a density of plankton, blocking sunlight. Sunlight can also be blocked by suspended sediment. Reduced light will lead to decomposition of plant life causing oxygen sags, which can lead to fish kills.
Ice up, allows turbid Midwestern ponds to clear. Plankton and other plant life then flourish, hence the mat of filamentous algae. After ice out, runoff and wind combine to create a lot of suspended sediment, limiting sunlight, leading to decomposition and an all-around nasty environment that won't improve until the ice comes back.
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Mastah Bluce provides the nod:
I think you are a good student, and an even better writer.
You've pretty much got it nailed.
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I don't care if NEC can read Bski, Porturalian, or any other twisted PB language derivitive. That little morsel of summary should be reviewed, tweaked where needed (if it is even needed...?) and saved for the
Fish for Dummies section that will someday be constructed in the forum.
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Good show, NE Chad.
