Sustainable Land Development Today - November/December 2008 - (Page 39)

As their roots hold soil in place, the native vegetation protects shorelines from waves created from wind, boats, fountains and bubblers. Over time, the energy created by even minute waves will slowly wash out soil from under the turf grass. This is evident on many ponds where the turf grass and soil has “slumped” into the pond and exposes a more-vertical shelf of soil which is prone to further erosion. Not only is this unsightly, but it contributes to the sedimentation of the pond and reduce its capacity to hold stormwater. A pond with less sedimentation will have to be dredged much less often. Dredging is a very expensive process and many budgets would like to see it done as little as possible. By establishing a barrier of native aquatic plants in the water, the energy of the waves can be reduced before it reaches the shoreline, further reducing erosion. This water-borne vegetation will also add a lot of texture and color to the shoreline, and offer great habitat structures for many varieties of fish. Though decorative stone can provide many of the same benefits as a naturalized shoreline, it does have a few draw backs. First and foremost is that waves and gravity will naturally slide the rocks down into the water. Over time this can become very unsightly, and the only remediation is to add more rock to the shoreline. Without the addition of more rocks, waves over time will cause the shoreline to erode. As the rocks settle into the sediment, they provide a good planting medium for invasive weeds, which will have to be controlled to maintain the aesthetic look many desire. This upkeep, along with replenishing the rocks every 10 to 15 years can make these shorelines very expensive to maintain. Natural shorelines can be installed for a range of prices depending on the types and quantity of vegetation chosen. Maintenance is also required for successful establishment, but to a reduced degree over time. This maintenance is often referred to as stewardship, which may involve a variety of activities such as hand the rock will have to be replaced or replenished every 10 to 15 years. As the shoreline ages, the combination of water, weeding, herbicide application, mowing, enhancement seeding and prescription burning. Though these areas require less effort once established, they should not be neglected, or exotic and invasive species can establish themselves and reduce the functionality of the shoreline. Such aggressive weeds as cattails, purple loosestrife, common reed, thistle and reed canary grass will readily out-compete the native vegetation and occupy the entire shoreline. These species create monocultures of vegetation, and displace the native diversity. With regular stewardship, these native shoreline plantings can last indefinitely and reduce the long term cost of owning a pond. In addition to the beauty provided by the diverse native flowers and grasses, over time the pond will become a habitat that can attract beneficial wildlife, and enhance the aesthetics and recreational value of the pond. The native vegetation supports a diverse mixture of insects, from dragonflies that eat large quantities of mosquitoes to caterpillars that become colorful butterflies. These are part of a specific diet for many native song birds. By providing such native vegetation, birds benefit by a bounty of seeds, insects, and a much needed structure for nesting and mating. Birds will not be the only animals to respond, with more insects, there will also be a greater variety of amphibians (frogs and salamanders) and reptiles (turtles). Possibly more noticeable in residential ponds, is the quantity of different fish species that will be able to survive in a naturalized pond. The vegetation will add much needed shelter from the sun, breeding locations, and places to hide for the smaller fish. Not only can native vegetation stabilize soils around retention and detention ponds, but they add value to a pond by enriching the lives of the people who live around them. The increased plant and animal life can be a focal point for community activities, and perhaps more importantly provide a serene landscape that can be enjoyed by all. SLDT About the author: Mark Micek is sales and project manager for Tallgrass Restoration, LLC, based in Schaumburg. Illinois. He can be reached at: (847) 925-9830 or mark.micek@tallgrassrestoration.com www.SLDTonline.com 39 http://www.SLDTonline.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Sustainable Land Development Today - November/December 2008

Sustainable Land Development Today - November/December 2008 Contents Our Voice Editorial Board SLDT Resources The BottomLine Go Forth and Tread Lightly on the Land It’s About Name Recognition Managing Risk in the Sustainable Building Frontier Industry Spotlight Achieving Sustainable Land Development Worthy of Recognition Stormwater Wastewater Erosion Control Innovation Classifieds Advertiser Index Last Word

Sustainable Land Development Today - November/December 2008

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