Ever heard of Tussocks, Sudds, Floatons or Drifting Islands? Well, if you havent, it is a large d mountain of mud, peat, and aquatic plants. Organic detritus and plant roots are also in the make up of these islands. These islands can be just a few square feet in size or a several hundred acres in size. This natural phenomenon is seen all around the world. They are more usually found in lakes and marshes.
Cattails, bulrushes, sedges and reeds, which have extended from a wetland shore, are the most common elements of tussocks. Vegetation that hangs over the shoreline will frequently begin to build up. This also happens because the water level might be low in the root area so the tip of the plants tries to reach the water by hanging and soon afterward, separating. The area under the floating mat is usually very rich with aquatic living organisms. Eventually harsh weather or storms cause the overhanging portion to break from the shoreline. The bulk begins to migrate and finally clings onto another landform. The wind helps it to migrate, but sometimes the harsh weather totally demolishes it and mix it with the water. Trees up to 50 feet tall and 8-12 inches in diameter have been known to grow on Tussocks.
Tussocks have been a symbolization of the maturing procedure of water bodies. People say it has been a part of Floridas shallow lakes. Over the years their numbers have been changed greatly by droughts, fires and floods. Floods are the most standard mode of transfer for Tussocks. Downstream fenland and uplands are places the floods have transported many Tussocks.
Today, water levels are maintained by man made devices such as wires, levees and dams. The man made devices discourage Tussock formation because water levels are oftentimes too high or too low. These days, people under appreciate Tussocks. The island not only carry itself but many times beasts too. Amphibians and reptiles do also come along. Personally I would be unnerved if an gator hitched a ride on a Tussock to my front door. The tussocks dont always bring red alerted organisms, but it also might bring good floras and herbs along with it.
There is another big problem that is caused by these drifting islands. A drifting island might block an access to an important place such as a busy port. This even can cause a lot of extreme stress for companys 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. Many governments are wasting millions so that Tussocks dont get in their way of living a happy life. Weed killing is used to check these structures. Sometimes expensive ways like shredders and barge mounted track hoes are also used for gaining control.
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.
