The Lake Ecosystem
Every lake sits in the middle of its watershed, the area of land that drains runoff into the lake. The organisms of the lake ecosystem consist of a complex variety of aquatic vegetation and upland plant species, as well as all animals that live in the lake or make frequent contact with the lake. Maintaining a variety of vegetation is absolutely critical to the health of the lake and everything living around the lake.

Lake Plants
Phytoplankton (diatoms, green algae, and blue-green algae) is the smallest group of lake organisms. All other life of the lake ecosystem depends on a balanced level of phytoplankton. Algae capture the sun�s energy and chemically combines water and carbon dioxcide to produce oxygen; this process is called photosynthesis. Microscopic invertebrate organisms such as copepods and fairy shrimp called zooplankton eat algae which transfers nutrients and energy though the food chain. In short, phytoplankton and zooplankton allow a lake ecosystem to exist.

Shoreline vegetation is also essential to the wellbeing of a lake�s ecosystem. Shoreline vegetation reduces wave intensity which prevents soil erosion and sedimentation, allows for protection of young fishes and other animals, and reduces the amount of nutrients entering the lake. In short, shoreline vegetation keeps a lake ecosystem healthy.

Lakeshore vegetation
Submergent and Emergent plants produce oxygen, provide underwater cover for fish amphibians birds and insects, create surfaces for algae to adhere to, break the energy of waves which prevents erosion, and stabilize bottom sediments which would otherwise be resuspended. These plants also break down nutrients, such as phosphorous, before they are able to entire surface water.
Shoreline and Upland Plants have extensive root systems which stabilize soils against pounding waves and hold soil in place to prevent soil erosion. This is important because soil erosion causes excessive nutrients to enter surface water and causes sedimentation which is discussed in the problems page.