Cape Cod Brochures

Eastham Ponds – Eastham – Tours & Trips

Ecosystem degrad- ation of a Pond

Health of ponds can be damaged by the build up of excessive nutrients in the water. Storm-water creates run off of nutrients from fertilizers, roads and parking lots, nutrients from individual septic systems in the watershed, and bird droppings. The nutrients feed aquatic plants causing more algae, duckweed, cattails, and other aquatic plants than the pond

would naturally sustain. The extra plant life depletes the oxygen levels in the pond. Decomposition of algae and sub-surface plans increase the number of bacteria (which decompose the dead plants) further limiting oxygen levels. When the oxygen levels fall, other life, such as fish, can not be sustained and the ecosystem of the pond is destroyed.

2 – 4