Have you ever heard of Tussocks, Sudds, Floatons or Drifting Islands? If not, the answer is simple; they are clusters of Drifting peat, mud and aquatic plants. flora roots and other nutrient rubble also assists to make these islands. These islands can be just a few square feet in size or a numerous hundred acres in size. This natural occurrence is seen all around the globe. It is more often found in lakes and marshes.
Tussocks are made often of cattails, bulrush, sedge and reeds that have extended from the shoreline of a marshland area. Overhanging vegetation will build up around the shoreline. Low water levels in the root areas can result in water plant tips reaching for the water and then slowly hanging over the edge and finally separating from the shoreline. Mostly the area directly beneath the tussock is full of living marine organisms. Finally, a harsh weather or storms tears off the portion. The bulk begins to transmigrate and finally clings onto another landform. Wind helps to move the bulk along, but anything to harsh can destroy the mountain. Some larger Tussocks are able to support trees that grow up to 50 feet tall with diameters between 8-12 inches.
Tussocks are a symbolic representation of the maturing process of bodies of water. Tussocks are said to be a part of the shallow lakes in Florida. Droughts, fires and floods have greatly changed the number of existing Tussocks. Floods are the most familiar mode of transfer for Tussocks. Most Tussocks have been deposited in downstream marshes or upland areas.
In the today's world, man made structures such as wires, levees, and dykes are produced to maintain the water level. The man made devices deter Tussock formation because water levels are ofttimes too high or too low. Most people, nowadays, don't cherish the influx of drifting islands. In addition to carrying itself, the islands frequently act as a style of transportation for creatures. Many times reptiles and amphibians hitch a ride on a Tussock. Personally the arrival of an gator at my front door would not be a welcomed beast. Drifting islands don't just transport wild creatures; they can also bring helpful floras and herbs your way.
Tussocks are also responsible for another significant problem. Drifting islands can block critical shipping ports. This even can cause a lot of extreme stress for business close or far away from the harbor. It is not uncommon for ships to be stopped or damaged by Tussocks. Drifting islands are also able to stop up the path of an irrigation system. Many governments are wasting millions so that Tussocks don't get in their way of living a happy life. Weed killing is used to check these structures. Some Tussocks have been checked through pricey ways like shedding and the use of a flatboat mounted track hoe.
About the Author
Dave McNabb founded a full service aquatic maintenance company located in Lafayette, California in 1996. Dave started his aquatic career in 1980 with Aquatics Unlimited located in Martinez, California. In 1984 Dave became the very first Aquamog operator and has run the machines for the past 25 years.