What are Pollinators?
Pollinators are animals of all types that visit flowers and take away their pollen. Insects such as butterflies, honey bees, wasps and other animals - such as birds, rodents, monkeys, and even humans - are all examples of pollinators.
Butterflies and other pollinators are at risk because of habitat loss and ecosystem damage caused mostly by people. Butterflies need a lot of host plants to lay eggs on in order to reproduce well, and they also need flowering nectar plants to feed on. Without good habitats that provide both of these things, there will not be enough homes for butterflies, which could lead to a decline in their numbers and make them more vulnerable to extinction.
FUN FACT: The Painted Lady Butterfly is the most widespread butterfly species found on the planet, occupying all continents except Antarctica and Australia!
Cleaning Water Nature's Way
The Islands mimic nature’s way of cleansing water by using the plants root systems. These “Floating Wetlands” are nature’s own water purifiers. As storm water and fertilizer runoff move through waterways, lakes and ponds, the islands consume and process water pollutants. They divert phosphorus and nitrogen (that would otherwise stimulate algal growth) into the vegetation on top of the island. Eco Islands improve levels of nitrates, phosphorous, pH, oxygen, water clarity and overall water quality. They lower water temperature helping fish and other aquatic wildlife survive.
Eco Islands mechanically filter out other pollutants like metals and particulates. Concentrations of suspended solids, copper, lead, zinc, oil and grease lower. The sticky biofilm on the plant roots essentially keeps the water clear because all the suspended solids tend to bond to them. Water that eventually flows out is much cleaner than the water that came trickling in.
Communities are recognizing the fact that storm water runoff is creating a major problem in local waterways. The management of storm water is vital to reducing pollutants from entering our waterways. Water quality problems such as nitrates, pH, and low oxygen are some of the consequences of human activity on land. Eco islands are a green technology which offers an affordable solution to water quality issues. They can reduce the expensive cost of traditional water treatment, create aquatic and terrestrial habitats, sequester carbon, and add aesthetic beauty to our urban surroundings.