Commonly called lily pads in recognition of their broad, green leaves, and white and yellow flowers that bloom throughout the summer and add charm and beauty to many ponds and lakes. White water lilies have round leaves that look like floating plates and yellow water lilies have heart-shaped leaves that stand tall above the water and flutter in the breeze. In addition to their natural beauty, lily pads provide a host of benefits to lake ecology. Aquatic insects are attracted to the flowers and rest on their leaves and stems. Frogs and turtles seek the camouflage lily pads offer from predators. Fish hide among the stems, not only from each other but also from the sun. Lily pads grow in shallow water and buffer waves, protecting the shore from erosion. Despite these benefits, sometimes it is necessary to control their expansion to avoid lily pads from impairing lake access, and recreational activities. They can also cover the surface in just a few weeks reducing light penetration resulting in the decline of fish, invertebrates and aquatic plants.
Prevention
Water lilies spread from seeds and rhizomes. Seeds disperse through the water by wind and wave action, rhizomes can also break off and move through the water and establish in a new location. Waterfowl can also spread the plant between water bodies. The best prevention is to keep the size of the lily pad growth small and manageable.
Biological Control
Beneficial Bacteria products and enzymes such as PZ-900 feed on nutrients in the water making them unavailable for plant growth. Reducing nutrients can help prevent invasion.
Physical/Mechanical Control
Hand-pulling or cutting using anAquatic Weed Eradicator (A.W.E.) or a Lake Rake can be successful for a small area if repeated on a regular basis. Cutting and harvesting must be done on a regular basis to maintain control. Plant material must be removed from the water body after cutting. Physical removal in conjunction with chemical control will maximize success.
Aeration has also been used as a mechanical approach to hinder lily pads proliferation. Water lilies prefer to grow in stagnant waters; aerators, such as water circulators or surface aerators will disrupt the surface of the water and can limit the growth of these plants.
Chemical Control
Aquatic herbicidesmade specifically for use in and around water area safe and effective management tool. Aquatic herbicidesare very successful in treating lily pads. Products such asShore-KlearorRewardand Weedtrine D, when mixed with a nonionic surfactant such as Cygnet Plus work very well at killing Lily Pads and assisting in gaining control over them.
Shore-Klear is a systemic herbicide that will translocate down into the root systems killing the plant. Successful water lilies management in heavily infested areas can take several applications.
Reward is a fast-acting contact herbicide, highly effective in killing any part of the plant that comes into contact with.
Cygnet Plus is a nonionic wetting agent, sticker, activator, and penetrant all in one. Cygnet Plus Increases the effectiveness of herbicides uptake into the plant tissue.
As an aquatic ecology enthusiast with a deep understanding of lake ecosystems and water plant management, I can confidently attest to the importance of maintaining a delicate balance in these environments. Lily pads, scientifically known as water lilies, play a crucial role in the ecological dynamics of ponds and lakes, offering not only aesthetic beauty but also serving as a habitat and providing various benefits to the aquatic ecosystem.
Let's delve into the concepts used in the provided article and further elaborate on each aspect:
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Water Lily Characteristics:
- Lily pads are commonly known for their broad, green leaves and white or yellow flowers.
- White water lilies have round, plate-like leaves, while yellow water lilies have heart-shaped leaves that stand tall above the water.
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Ecological Benefits of Lily Pads:
- Lily pads attract aquatic insects, providing a resting place on their leaves and stems.
- Frogs and turtles utilize the camouflage provided by lily pads as protection from predators.
- Fish hide among the stems, using them as a shelter from both predators and sunlight.
- Lily pads grow in shallow water, acting as a buffer against waves and protecting the shore from erosion.
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Challenges and Need for Control:
- Despite their benefits, lily pads can overgrow and impair lake access and recreational activities.
- Rapid expansion can reduce light penetration, leading to a decline in fish, invertebrates, and aquatic plants.
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Methods of Control: a. Prevention:
- Lily pads spread through seeds, rhizomes, and waterfowl.
- Keeping the size of lily pad growth small and manageable is the best prevention method.
b. Biological Control:
- Beneficial bacteria products and enzymes, like PZ-900, feed on water nutrients, preventing plant growth.
c. Physical/Mechanical Control:
- Hand-pulling, cutting with tools like the Aquatic Weed Eradicator (A.W.E.), or using a Lake Rake can be effective for small areas.
- Regular cutting and harvesting, along with the removal of plant material, are crucial for control.
- Aeration disrupts stagnant water preferred by lily pads, hindering their proliferation.
d. Chemical Control:
- Aquatic herbicides, such as Shore-Klear, Reward, and Weedtrine D, are safe and effective tools.
- Cygnet Plus, a nonionic surfactant, enhances the effectiveness of herbicides.
- Shore-Klear is a systemic herbicide that translocates into the root systems.
- Reward is a fast-acting contact herbicide effective on any part of the plant it contacts.
In conclusion, the management of water lilies involves a multifaceted approach, considering both the ecological benefits and the potential challenges they pose to aquatic ecosystems. The article provides a comprehensive guide to various control methods, highlighting the importance of understanding and implementing these strategies for the sustainable maintenance of lakes and ponds.
