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Old 04-12-2007, 05:31 AM posted to rec.gardens
symplastless symplastless is offline
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First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,318
Default What's going on under the ice in your pond

This is a very good question. When Dr. Alex L. Shigo died, he had been
working on research about roots under the ice under the water in ponds and
his swamp.
Somewhat along the lines of your question.
Here he writes about some of it.
http://www.treedictionary.com/DICT20...go/WINTER.html

If you eamil me at when I run accross more stuff
I will send it to you.

"Frozen cavities in soil. Mycorrhizae layer cavities frozen. Water in soil
cavities rarely freezes because the snow on top acts as a very good
insulator. When there is little or no snow, all the small amounts of water
in cavities does freeze. When cavities has very little water due to low
amounts of rain, the situation becomes much worse. The reason is that the
mycorrhizae in the cold soil depend on water to do their work. When there
is no free water, the mycorrhizae do not work. Deficiency problems usually
happen the next growing season. The situation was discussed by Dr. Rene
Pomerleau many years ago. Soil does not freeze, but water in cavities does
freeze."

"A name is needed for the organs, as synergetic associations, with trees and
other organisms, under snow, ice, and water".

"Should the organisms associated with the roots be more correctly termed
oomycetes than fungi? Very few people look for mycorrhizae in winter, and
further, under water covered by ice and snow. Trees may be dormant above
ground in winter, but not dormant below ground."
"Cold and ice can stimulate life, or destroy it. Ice and cold can kill
plants and animals. Above ground ice can kill as twigs, and stems, fracture.
Below ground ice expands soil to for cavities that support life. Cold water
can hold more oxygen than warm water. Fish know this! Warm climates support
an abundance of life. Many organisms know this. Hydrogen dioxide as solid
ice, liquid water, and vapor as a gas, is in many ways, the essence of
life."

"As ice forms and thaws in soil, minute cavities form that support the
growth of many types of microorganisms, insects, and other life forms.
These cavities are not the same as those formed by fracturing tools that
make enormous holes in soil. Even smaller cavities result when fungus
hyphae die. The minute cavities allow air and water to get into the soil.
Compaction is the major disrupters of cavities. This is why mulch of
decomposed plant parts is so essential for soils. In climates that have
cold winters, ice in soil is essential for the health of organisms in the
soil as well as organisms such as plants growing in the soil but getting
food from the sun. When the ice does not form, there may be problems for
plants."


"Cells die when ice crystals form in the walls and spaces between cells
because water in the cells flows outward. The cells die from dehydration.
Water flows outward because the concentration of liquid water decreases as
ice forms and a concentration gradient forms; flow of liquid water goes from
high concentration to low concentration due to the ice crystals that reduce
the amount of liquid water."

There is alot more where this came from.
If I can help you regarding this type of information please email me.
--
Sincerely,
John A. Keslick, Jr.
Consulting Arborist
http://home.ccil.org/~treeman
and www.treedictionary.com
Beware of so-called tree experts who do not understand tree biology.
Storms, fires, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions keep reminding us
that we are not the boss.


" wrote in message
...
It's turned super cold here in Iowa. I've always wondered exactly what
happens uner the ice in my pond. This article is a great source of
information the Winter effect on koi, goldfish and ponds. Written by
Richard Carlson and published by AKCA answers some of the most basic
pond questions such as: how to prepare the pond, immune system
changes, toxic gases, ammonia and aeromonas bacteria problems. Simple
tips on feeding and preparing your filters can make a world of
difference to your fish. Visit
Http://www.richdeer3pondsupplies.com...46/page/902636
to view the entire article. Stay warm and wish for Spring!