Importance of the Shoreline Where the water meets the shore is a narrow, fragile habitat that is home for many forms of life from insects to fish to amphibians (like the bullfrog shown in the photo). This thin band around the lake marks the transition from water life to that of the land. It is not an impassable border, but a transition zone between land and water. The health of a shoreline; the health of the Trout Lake shoreline affects - and is affected by - the health of the land and the water. The Shallows and the Shore The shoreline is made up of the shallows and the shore. Both are essential to the survival of a lake. The shallows, or meeting place, supports a variety of plants and animals. Plants are the basic producers for a lake. Plants such as cat-tails, bulrushes, pond lilies and sub-merged plants are found in the shallows. They clean the water by ingesting and synthesizing organic matter that has been dissolved in the water. These plants then become nourishment for the animal life which feeds in and on the lake. Plant-eating animals (such as this painted turtle) benefit directly and flesh-eaters indirectly through the food chain. Aquatic plants incubate the lower level of the food chain such as insect larvae and smaller minnows. Plants in the shallows shade aquatic animals from too much light and heat and provide hiding places. Wave action is lessened by aquatic plants. This helps to protect the shores against erosion. An abundance of animal life such as plankton, insects (such as this aquatic giant water beetle), frogs and toads (shown in photo below) make their homes in the shallows. It also sustains worms, grubs, clams etc. The shallows is a zone of high productivity for a lake. It represents a complete sub-ecosystem. The shore marks the transition from water life to that of land. A shore left in a natural state is a hard working biological feature of the lake. Shorelands can: Provide a barrier against erosion by waves and currents. Trap sediments from uplands run-off. Prevent overfertilization of the water by reducing runoff of sediments. Recycle nutrients in on-shore plants. Protect shallow waters from excessive warming. (Temperature rises increase algae growth.) Preserve the ecological balance of lake. (Nourishing species such as insects and birds which in turn nourish fish.) Play an essential role in the beauty of the landscape. Human tampering can inadvertently destroy any or all of these important functions of the shoreline. Our "cleaning up the waterfront" slowly damages the shoreline environment which is vital to a healthly lake. Importance of the shoreline Shorelines are the interface between the aquatic and terrestrial realms. Many animals that live on land must return to the water to breed (toads are an example). Others seek out the shallows to feed. Examples of these are ampibians such as frogs, waterfowl of all descriptions, king fishers, sand pipers, beaver, muskrat, mink, and upland animals such as moose. From a biological functionality point of view, the worst shoreline is the sand beach. The lack of rock, stones, debris and plants makes this type of shoreline very non productive. Few fish will choose this type of shoreline on which to spawn or seek shelter. Its very sterility, and a basic lack of ecological understanding, is usually the reasons we humans often try to turn our shorelines into beaches. Things you can do to improve your shoreline area Participate in the TLCA Shoreline Revegation Program. This will help you look after the vegetative near-shore buffer zone. This area extends from the shoreline some 15 meters inland. You should have a good mix of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants (preferably native ones). The Trout Lake Conservation Association offers free trees and shrubs to TLCA members. The only stipulation is that the vegetation be planted no further than 30 meters from the shoreline of any body of water in the Trout Lake watershed. If you are not yet a member, please consider taking out a membership. Encourage aquatic plants to grow in the shallow areas of your shoreline. This will attract minnows, and other life that will in turn attract fish, providing them with both food and shelter, not to mention spawning habitat. These aquatic "weeds" are essential to a healthy lake ecosystem.

Docks / Shorelines - The Ribbon of Life / Naturalizing the Shoreline Planning Your Redevelopment / Low Impact Lifestyles Attracting Nesting Bass to YOUR Shoreline