Reprints Online

Ever heard of  Tussocks, Sudds, Floatons or Floating Islands?   For anyone who isn't  familiar with these things, simply put, they are Drifting masses of muck, peat, and aquatic floras.   The islands are also constituted of plant roots and other nutrient debris.  Actually, the sizes of these roaming  islands can be a few feet to 100's of acres.   The  naturally occurring occurrence can be found the world over.   Tussocks are often found in lakes and fenland.  

Tussocks are made often of  cattails, bulrush, sedge and reeds that have extended from the shoreline of a wetland area.  When the flora hangs over from the land it starts togrow.  This may happen as a result of  low water levels; water plant tips could try to reach the water, which results in hanging and eventually separation.   By and large the area right under the tussock is full of living aquatic organisms.   Eventually harsh weather or storms cause  the overhanging portion to break from the shoreline.    The bulk begins to  transmigrate and eventually clings onto another landform.  The wind helps it to transmigrate, but sometimes the harsh weather totally destroys it and mix it  with the water.  Large trees up to 50 feet tall and 8-12 inches in diameter have been seen growing on Tussocks.

Tussocks have been a symbol of the maturing process of water bodies.  People say it has been a part of Floridas shallow lakes.   Over the  years their numbers have been altered greatly by droughts, fires and floods.   Floods are the most common mode of transportation for Tussocks.   Downstream fenland and upland  are the most familiar deposit areas for Tussocks.  

These days, man made structures such as wires, levees, and dykes are made to hold the water level.  This binding stops the  creation of the Tussocks because the water level gets too high or too low in most places.  Most people, these days, dont  cherish the influx of drifting islands.   The island not only carry itself but many times creatures too.   It is not  uncommon to see amphibians or reptiles along for a ride.  I personally dont think someone would enjoy the arrival of a huge deadly alligator beside their home.  The tussocks dont always bring red alerted organisms, but it also might bring good floras and herbs along with it.  

Drifting islands could also cause another sizable problem.   Floating islands can block important merchant marine harbour.   This even can cause a lot of undue stress for business close or  far away from the ports.   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.   A number of governments have spent millions to insure that Tussocks dont disrupt the flow of their business organization.  Herbicides have been used in an campaign to control these structures.   Sometimes pricey ways like shredders and barge mounted track hoes are also used for gaining control.