Where do the animals live in the ditch? - the waterplants

INTRODUCTION   THE SURFACE   THE WATERPLANTS   THE SOIL

Ditches and ponds are at their most beautiful when filled with clumps of aquatic plants. Especially when the water is clear, the bright green contrasts beautifully with the dark bottom, creating an impression of mysterious depths. Imagine you are very small, descending to the dark bottom: like giant trees, the plants rise high above you, forming forests with moving shadows. During the summer months, these forests grow into a seemingly impenetrable jungle. Yet it is a densely populated jungle nonetheless, for many animals seek refuge there, while also lying in wait for their prey and eating them, or being eaten themselves: so it remains dangerous!

The importance of aquatic plants for life in ditches and ponds is enormous and complex, too much to describe in detail on this page. But let's mention a few things.

First and foremost, there is oxygen. During the day, this is released into the water in large quantities. When the sun shines brightly on the water, you can even see it: small bubbles rise from the tops of the waterweed, like moving silver bead necklaces

Next page: THE SOIL