Dear friends,
We would love to hear about your current BioNova® projects. Please send Ryan, ryan@bionovanaturalpools.com, any information and pictures of your projects and we will gladly put them in the newsletter to share with all of the dealers. Thank you and we hope to see your inputs soon!
Here’s what’s happening at BioNova® Natural Pools North America…
Wildlife in Winter Part 1: What Happens to Beneficial Organisms in a Natural Swimming Pool?
Natural swimming pools thrive on a delicate balance between plants, microorganisms, and aquatic wildlife. Throughout spring, summer, and fall, this living system works quietly in the background, purifying water, cycling nutrients, and keeping the ecosystem healthy. But what happens when temperatures drop, ice forms, and the swimming season ends?
As water temperatures cool in the fall, most biological activity in a natural swimming pool begins to decelerate. This is not a sign of decline, it’s an essential phase of the ecosystem’s annual cycle.
Microorganisms Enter Low-Energy Mode
The beneficial bacteria responsible for breaking down organic waste and supporting water clarity become less active in cold temperatures. These microbes don’t disappear; rather, they enter a dormant or semi-dormant state, conserving energy until conditions improve.
When spring arrives and water warms back into the 50–60°F range, they reawaken and resume their crucial work.
Aquatic Plants Retreat for Renewal
Plants in the regeneration zone undergo predictable seasonal changes:
- Hardy marginal plants (such as cattails, iris, and rushes) die back above the waterline but keep their root systems alive beneath the surface.
- Floating and submerged plants slow their growth dramatically.
- Root systems remain active, stabilizing soils and providing micro-habitats even when visible foliage disappears.
This dieback is beneficial, decaying plant material provides habitat for microorganisms and nutrients for spring growth, as long as organic load is managed properly.
Invertebrates: Hidden but Very Much Alive
The small critters that support a healthy natural pool, zooplankton, aquatic insects, snails, and other invertebrates, have developed ingenious survival strategies.
Common Overwintering Behaviors
- Resting eggs or cysts: Many zooplankton species lay cold-resistant eggs that hatch in spring.
- Burrowing: Aquatic insects like dragonfly nymphs bury themselves in sediment to avoid freezing.
- Diapause: A state of suspended development that allows survival in harsh conditions.
These organisms form the base of the aquatic food web and reemerge robustly when temperatures rise.
A lot more is happening in your NSP during the winter, so stay tuned for next week when we will continue our discussion.
Stay Safe and Healthy.
We hope you all continue to stay healthy during these trying times and wish all of our BioNova® Dealers our best to you and your families.
Questions, Concerns, Thoughts
As always, we encourage you to contact us and share your thoughts, questions, and concerns with BioNova®. We are available to assist you in any way we can. Feel free to email me directly with photos, project updates, testimonials, etc., and we’ll include them in an upcoming Newsletter.
Respectfully,
Ryan Harmer
BioNova® Natural Pools
ryan@bionovanaturalpools.com
609-318-4707
