Well, spring is here! The bees are buzzing, the flowers are blooming, and the trees are turning green—which is a good thing. But is your pond also showing signs of green floating string mats or what is often affectionally called “pond scum”? Given the season, probably so. The more appropriate terminology for this condition would be referred to as nuisance string algae. Algal overgrowth is by far one of the most common issues for pond owners, and due to various environmental factors nuisance algae problems often occur in early spring.
First off, it should be noted that not all algal species are problematic. Such is the case of planktonic algae, which provides the essential element to the food chain of a lake/pond. This algae species lives in the upper levels of the water column and gives the water its green coloration. This type of algae is critical for supporting a healthy fish population within a lake or pond. If the nutrient levels within the water column are not at excessive levels, planktonic algae populations are beneficial to the health of the lake, unlike other algal species which can create problems.
Now back to our “pond scum” story. As noted earlier, there are various environmental factors in the spring that tend to accelerate nuisance string algae growth within a pond. Different algae species having varied “ideal” growing conditions which affect their overall growth characteristics. For example, a string algae species known as Spirogyra tends to flourish in the cooler water found in early spring versus the warmer water temperatures found during the summer. As such this species of string algae is one of the first issues that can show up and negatively affect the aesthetics of the pond. This in contrast to the species of string algae known as Pithophora. This species prefers much warmer growing conditions and is typically problematic in a pond during the summer months.
Other environmental factors influencing spring algae problems can be as follows:
- Higher concentration of nutrient levels within the water column
- Increased water clarity
- Ph values
- Lack of competition
All these matters tend to influence algae growth to nuisance levels in the spring.
If you are experiencing spring algae issues, we are here to help! Please contact Evan Carpenter at evancarpenter@aquascape.net or 678-445-0077.
