Listen in on most any conversation about ponds and you will eventually hear the word Algae mentioned, many times along with some unpleasant descriptive adjectives. In the majority of cases, it is the ‘Green Algae’ that is the subject of the verbal derision.
It is true that out-of-control algae can turn an otherwise beautiful Water Feature into a most disgusting eyesore. It is wrong, however, to put any blame on this simple organism. “Don’t shoot the messenger”. Algae are not the problem. It has been explained in countless means of communication, for countless times and for countless years that….excess algae is a direct result of an excess nutrient level in the pond water. So, if your pond has an abundance of algae, it is your fault because: (a)You have too many fish; (b) You overfeed your fish; (c) You do not have a sufficient size aquatic plant population; (d) You allow leaves, twigs and other organic debris to accumulate in you pond; (e) All of the above.
Algae are, by their nature, quite beneficial. Nearly all algae are photosynthetic (the ability to produce Oxygen), so much so that the total amount of Oxygen produced by all algae EXCEEDS the total amount produced by the entire plant kingdom. That’s impressive!
Algae are an extremely important source of nutrition for most aquatic organisms and are an integral part of the foundation of the overall food web. Extremely high in nutritional value, several species of Algae are used for human consumption, from wrapping sushi (Nori-Red Algae) to nutritional supplements such as Chlorella and Spirulina (Green Algae).
There are over 300,000 identified species of algae (no one knows the exact number) and around 6,000-7,000 species of green algae (again no one know for sure) and range in size from the single cell microscopic to the multi-cell giant sea kelp
Algae have existed in vast numbers for millions of years. The sparkling white sand beaches of the Caribbean and many other areas in the world are largely the sun-bleached and eroded calcium-carbonate remains of green algae.
They are an important part of the Nitrogen cycle (the use of Nitrates as an energy source) and the Carbon cycle. Like Oxygen, the total amount of Carbon contained in all algae exceeds the total amount contained in the entire plant kingdom.
In conclusion, the next time you think of hurling epithets at the green invasion of your pond, just remember all of the beneficial aspects of algae and, more to the point, remember that it is likely your fault. Like any other pesky organism…quit feeding it and it will go away.
