How to Protect a Freshwater Biome

Freshwater biomes need protection from environmental threats.

Many environmental threats plague freshwater biomes, from the draining of wetlands for development to the release of industrial waste into surface waters. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, over half the wetlands in the lower 48 states have been lost from the 1780s to the 1980s. Protection of the existing freshwater biomes is vital. A biome comprises the community of plants and animals that exist under the climatic conditions of a certain area. Examples include wetlands, streams and lakes.

Things You'll Need

• Field guide
• Water test kit
• Soil test kit
• Weeding tools (optional)
• Pesticide (optional)
• Herbicide (optional)

Instructions

Planning

1. Identify the threats. The first step in any conservation or environmental management plan is to identify the threats in order to develop a solution. Look for any obvious threats such as discharge into the water resource.

2. Test the water and soil for pH and the presence of toxins. You can purchase test kits from home improvement or garden centers. Alternatively, your state's agricultural extension office can test samples for a fee. If pollutants are found, the office can provide information regarding removal of toxins.

3. Conduct plant and animal surveys. Pay particular attention for the presence of invasive and nonnative species such as purple loosestrife or zebra mussels. You can use a field guide to identify these plants and animals. Your state natural resources department may also provide assistance. These invaders can take over a freshwater habitat and displace native plants and animals.

Action

1. Remove the invasive species. Control will depend on the particular pest you want to remove. To minimize contamination, try to hand-pull plants or set traps to avoid the use of pesticides near freshwater biomes.

2. Use only U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-approved pesticides if you must use a pesticide. Only apply these agents on days when the wind is calm to avoid drift into non-targeted areas. If possible, use a selective herbicide for the particular plant you want to remove. Your garden center can recommend an appropriate product.

3. Plant filter strips along edges of freshwater environments in order to prevent erosion, which can negatively affect aquatic resources. Use native plant species for best chance of success. Native plants are adapted to local conditions and will require little maintenance.

4. Control or restrict conflicting land uses near the freshwater biome. Some land uses such as agriculture can introduce contaminants into a freshwater biome through runoff. According to the EPA, agricultural runoff is the number one source of water pollution in the United States.

5. Check the freshwater biome periodically in order to respond to environmental threats early. Early detection can often mean the difference between saving or losing a freshwater biome.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service for technical assistance for protecting the freshwater biome.

• Not all pesticides can be used near water. Check the label instructions carefully before applying any pesticide near freshwater environments.

References

• "Wildlife Management Techniques Manual"; The Wildlife Society; 1980
• "Ecology and Field Biology"; Robert Leo Smith; 1990
• "Ecosystems and Human Well-Being: Current State and Trends"; Rashid M. Hassan, Robert Scholes, and Neville Ash; 2005
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Protecting Water Quality from Agricultural Runoff
• U.S. Geological Survey: Wetlands

Resources

• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Conservation Reserve Program
• University of California: The Freshwater Biome
• Minnehaha Creek Watershed District: Clean Water For Your Home and Yard
• University of Minnesota Extension: Caring for Shoreland Lawns and Gardens
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Pesticides: Regulating Pesticides