Ever heard of Tussocks, Sudds, Floatons or Floating Islands? For those who isnt intimate with these things, simply put, they are Floating masses of mud, peat, and aquatic floras. flora roots and other nutrient debris also helps make these islands. These islands can be a few square feet in size or a a number of hundred acres in size. The naturally occurring phenomenon can be found the world over. Tussocks are ofttimes found in lakes and fenland.
Tussocks are made ofttimes of cattails, bulrush, sedge and reeds that have extended from the shoreline of a marshland area. Overhanging flora 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 breaking from the shoreline. By and large the area directly beneath the tussock is full of living aquatic organisms. Finally harsh weather or storms cause the overhanging section to separate from the shoreline. The mountain begins to transmigrate 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 are a symbolic representation of the aging process of bodies of water. 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 transfer for Tussocks. Downstream marshes and uplands are places the floods have moved many Tussocks.
In the todays world, man made structures such as wires, levees, and dykes are created to hold the water level. This regulating prevents Tussocks from forming because of the flux in water levels. Nowadays, individuals under appreciate Tussocks. The island not only carry itself but many times animals too. It is not uncommon to see amphibians or reptilians along for a ride. Personally the arrival of an alligator at my front door would not be a welcomed beast. 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. Drifting islands can block important|critical] transportation ports. This can cause a lot of worry for a businessman who works no where near the water. It is not uncommon for ships to be blocked or damaged by Tussocks. It might also block the routes of irrigation systems. Governments have spent millions trying to prevent floating island from interrupting the everyday flow of shipping traffic. Herbicides have been used in an attempt to control these structures. Expensive methods like shredders and flatboat mounted track hoes have been used to gain 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.
