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Duckweeds
Lemna gibba
13.7708, 100.623
Field Notes
Description:
Duckweed (botanically known as Lemnaceae) is a stemless, aquatic flowering plant. It is small and free floating and grows on the surface of still or slow moving water in carpet-like groups. These plants grow across the world except in very cold regions. Duckweed does not normally grow in rivers unless there is a reduced flow of water.
Many varieties of ducks consume Duckweed which in turn transports it to other water bodies. Although Duckweed does provide habitats for micro invertebrates, it is important to control it because they are aggressive invaders in quiet waters. If the Duckweed covers the surface of a pond, it will deplete the oxygen, killing fish and the submerged plants will not receive the sunlight they need to grow
Habitat:
Duckweed is an important food for wild waterfowl and fish both directly and as a source of food for small creature that are in turn eaten by the birds and fish. As it grows, Duckweed absorbs nutrients from the water. Thus it has a useful role in controlling the growth of algae, both by removing nutrients and by shutting out sunlight as the Duckweed covers the water surface. Algae absorbs oxygen and as it decays, it further reduces oxygen levels. Algal blooms can thus severely affect aquatic life. By shading the water, Duckweed also keeps it cool and thus allow for more dissolved oxygen. And by covering the water surface, it minimises water loss through evaporation.
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