Ponds and Lakes: Plants

Mammals

Birds

Amphibians/Reptiles

Arthropods

Bryophytes/Lichens

Hard-stemmed bulrush

This is an emergent plant with hard, round stems that taper to a narrow point. The flowers appear as clusters of greyish-brown spikelets on short branches close to the top of the stem. Bulrush is found in the more southern grasslands in shallow water less than 1 m deep, where it forms thick stands.

Bulrush provides cover and nesting habitat for many bird species. It is also home to juvenile fish, amphibians, reptiles and a wide variety of insects and other invertebrates. The seeds are excellent food for water birds, and muskrat eat the stems and succulent roots.

Cattail

Standing 1 to 3 m high, cattail is characterized by the large spongy brown spike formed at the top of the stiff round stem. Cattail forms extensive, dense colonies from creeping roots and sometimes floating mats move around as water levels change.

Cattails provide important cover and nesting and feeding habitat for Red-winged and Yellow-headed blackbirds, Marsh Wrens and numerous water birds. American Bittern, Virginia Rail and other shorebirds find protective cover amongst the dense cattail foliage. Muskrat eat the roots and pile the stems and leaves to construct their lodges.

Greater bladderwort

Slender, thread-like leaves are arranged alternately along the floating stem with many small air-bladders attached directly to the leaves. A stem extends up to 20 cm above water to exhibit six or more yellow, "sweet pea-like" flowers during mid-to late summer.

The plants provide habitat for aquatic insects and crustaceans, which in turn are a valuable food source for many wildlife species. Grebes use greater bladderwort for nesting material and for anchoring floating nests.

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Want to find out about species at risk in pond and lake habitats?
Go to Species at Risk

Here are some representative species to start with:

Forbs:
Common duckweed
Water smartweed
Shrubs:
Willow spp.
Trees:
Trembling aspen

Illustrations:
J.L.Janish  Reprinted with permission from the University of Washington Press

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