Some plants can be a problem in ponds because they can completely cover the water, in a 'bloom', for example duckweed and algae.
Also, the spread of non-native plants is also of concern for our countryside ponds.
Duckweed and algal blooms
Floating plants like duckweed, blanket weed can cause a problem in ponds when the dense growth can form a thick mat over the entire water area, this is called a 'bloom'.
This blocks out light and prevents oxygen getting into the water from the air so is not good for other plants and for wildlife in the pond. Where the mats of growth look thick, this can be dangerous for children and animals because it looks solid.
A small amount of algae or duckweed in your pond is OK. Both occur naturally in ponds with clean water and some animals like to live in them - there are small beetles that live out their lives within the duckweed fronds.
The problem is caused by too many nutrients in the water (especially nitrates and phosphates) cause plants like algae and duckweed to enjoy unrestricted growth.
Read more about blooms here.
Non-native plants
Introduced, non-native plants are a problem for ponds because they can quickly take over. Once they are established, it is very hard to get rid of them because they are often more vigorous than native species - with no natural predators they can grow unchecked. So the best way to deal with them is to avoid them in the first place.
Read more about the problems of non-native plants here.
Avoid spreading non-native plants
There are some steps you can take to reduce the risk of spreading unwanted non-native plants and disease:
First - consider whether you really need to visit a site you know to be affected.
Second - be hygienic. Clean your footwear and equipment between ponds, even if you haven't seen any signs of disease or invasive plants.
Drying equipment out is enough for some plants and diseases, but a mild bleach solution will help (make sure the bleach doesn't end up in the pond!). If you regularly use a pond for pond dipping where an invasive plant or disease is present, it may be sensible to have a set of equipment that is only used for that pond, and use 'clean' equipment for other ponds.
