Page 9 - The Shores of Jupiter - December '19

The Shores, Page 9
Northern Notes

Aquatic Plants plants are further classified into three categories shore. This area is typically called the littoral zone and may
depending upon where they grow. be composed of a shoreline or wetlands. In our area, some
By Katie Roundtree, Aquatic plants can be submersed, meaning that they of these areas were man-made to attract wildlife to the
Finance Director, grow under the water, either rooted to the bottom sediments littoral zone in order to compensate for recently developed
Northern Palm Beach or free floating. They come in all shapes and sizes and occur areas. In periods of low water, debris from dying immersed
County Improvement in virtually all local water bodies. Environmental factors plants is a significant factor. Accumulated plant debris can
District such as light, water clarity, temperature, pH, nutrient eventually result in the lake becoming shallower, or even
Northern Palm Beach availability and sediment stability affect where submersed transitioning into a swamp or marsh. Some advantages of
County Improvement plants will grow. These plants are professionally managed immersed plants include providing bank stabilization to
District manages over and, as with many native and nonnative plant populations, reduce shoreline erosion, maintaining habitat for fish and
2,000 acres of preserves and can grow to nuisance levels if not maintained properly. wildlife and providing food (seeds and leaves) for birds.
approximately 370 water Excess nutrient levels from fertilizers and yard waste can Finally, free floating plants are not anchored to any
bodies in its 128-square- further increase the growth of these plants to a nuisance soil or sediment; they get their nutrients from the water
mile jurisdiction. Each of level. Some advantages of submersed plants are to provide alone. Floating-leaved plants typically are rooted in the
these areas is unique and habitats for fish and wildlife, increase water clarity, filter sediments and have leaves that float on the water’s surface.
has different kinds of aquatic plants growing within it nutrients and increase or decrease dissolved oxygen levels. Native water lilies and duckweed are examples of these
depending on factors such as depth, size and location. Immersed plants are plants that are rooted in water- kinds of plants. Floating and floating-leaved plants occur
Aquatic plants that can be seen with the naked eye are saturated soils or submersed sediment near the water’s in many Florida water bodies. Rooted floating-leaved
generally called aquatic macrophytes, to differentiate edge, with their leaves and stems exposed. They can grow plants can grow completely across shallow water bodies.
them from the much smaller plants called algae. Aquatic from the water’s edge to about three to 10 feet from the The roots of floating-leaved plants provide a stable surface
for successful fish spawning. Some advantages of free
Town Of Jupiter News floating or floating-leaved plants include providing bank
stabilization to reduce shoreline erosion and maintaining
habitat for fish and wildlife. However, if periods of
By Ilan Kaufer, Town Of to our officers and all the employees of our department for all low water are followed by a rapid rise in water level,
Jupiter Councilman that they do. the roots of dead floating-leaved plants can float to the
Happy December, Fertilizer Reduction And Water Quality surface, block access, and hinder navigation. Nonnative
I want to wish everyone In October, I asked that a resolution be drafted calling for water hyacinth and water lettuce may completely cover
a wonderful and meaningful a reduction in the use of products containing glyphosate. The the surface of a water body and cause major problems
holiday season. I hope your resolution emphasized the Town’s commitment to reducing for fish and wildlife habitat, recreation, navigation, and
holidays are filled with the use of potentially harmful chemicals that impact health flood control. Floating and floating-leaved plants are
warmth, happiness, and and water quality. I will provide an update next month on the not generally considered a human health concern, but
fulfillment. Please find below results of the discussion, since the meeting will occur after the they provide breeding habitat for mosquitoes. (Source:
a few Town updates: publication date for this month’s entry. University of Florida IFAS)
Police Contract Friends Of Jupiter Beach NPDES Tip: Please pick up after your pet. When pet
In November the Town The Town celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Friends of waste is washed into lakes or canals, the waste decays,
Council approved a new contract between the Town and the Jupiter Beach. The Town thanked the volunteer organization for using up oxygen and sometimes releasing ammonia.
Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association. The all they do to help keep the beaches clean and encourage best Low oxygen levels and ammonia combined with warm
contract represents a well bargained result that places Jupiter practices from our furry friends and their owners. temperatures can kill fish. Pet waste also contains nutrients
at competitive salaries with other local police departments. As always please contact me with any comments or questions that encourage weed and algae growth. Overly fertile
I am glad that the contract increases salaries for our officers at ilank@jupiter.fl.us and follow me on Facebook at www. water becomes cloudy and green – unattractive for boating
and believe the contract will ensure that the Jupiter Police facebook.com/councilorkaufer or on Twitter @Councilorkaufer. and fishing. Perhaps most importantly, pet waste carries
Department will remain a high performing agency. Thank you diseases which make water unsafe.

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