Page 70 - parks-master-plan

excessive vegetation growth is minimized as a result of sufficient turnover of the water within the ponds.

During summer, higher temperatures and reduced rainfall cause excessive aquatic vegetation growth, which should be expected and accepted.

While mechanical means such as aeration help deter this growth, only the introduction of herbicides provide the level of plant control expected by much of the Dublin community. These chemicals are costly and can make their way into the stream corridors, causing potential undesirable effects.

A final issue surrounding ponds and other waterways is the public perception that ponds cause increases to the mosquito population. Facts do not support this perception. Mosquito larvae require still, calm water to develop into adult mosquitoes. The combination of pond aerators, inflow and outflow, and adequate plan management prevent the conditions necessary for mosquito larvae development. As mosquito larvae are a favorite food for fish and many amphibians, it is unwise to eliminate all these insects. Ponds are routinely monitored for mosquito larvae. If excessive larvae are found, the water is treated with an EPA-approved larvacide.

The intent of woodlot management is to ensure that parkland woodlots are managed to the highest functioning order, creating a safe, symbiotic relationship between residents and natural areas. Other benefits of woodlot management include recreational and educational value to general public; global environmental impacts, such as reducing energy costs; improving air quality for future generations; aiding in managing insect and disease programs; rejuvenating species niches; reducing invasive species opportunists, such as honeysuckle and grapevine; and opening up areas for more biodiversity.

Woodlots enhance air and water quality, improve wildlife diversity, and retain and enrich soil. Providing walking paths through them allows residents to recreate in a stress-reducing environment while connecting with nature. Woodlot management is an important component of multiple-use ideology, which includes managing native plant communities, wildlife diversity, aesthetics and water quality. If no management plan is implemented, woodlots become overrun with exotic invasive species and degrade to non-desirable

monocultures. This jeopardizes threatened and endangered plant and wildlife species. Successful woodlot management increases