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 2: What Happens to Beneficial Organisms in a Natural Swimming Pool?Winter brings dramatic changes to the biological activity within an NSP. Understanding these shifts can help pool owners protect their investment and appreciate the remarkable natural processes that continue all year long.Amphibians and Larger Wildlife: Winter Guests
Depending on your region, frogs, toads, newts, and small mammals may use your NSP as winter habitat.
Frogs and Toads
- Some species overwinter at the bottom of the regeneration zone, where water remains unfrozen.
- Others burrow into nearby soil, leaf litter, or stone crevices.
Beneficial predators
Creatures like dragonfly nymphs continue to quietly patrol underwater, feeding on mosquito larvae even in cold months, though at a slower rate.
Water Chemistry: Stability in the Quiet Season
Winter often brings some of the clearest, calmest water conditions of the year. Why does this occur?
- Cooler water holds more dissolved oxygen.
- Reduced sunlight slows algae growth.
- Dormant organisms produce less waste.
- Plants draw fewer nutrients from the water.
This seasonal “reset” helps the ecosystem start fresh each spring.
Ice Cover: Friend, Not Foe
A layer of ice, in moderate thickness, can actually protect the natural pool ecosystem by:
- Maintaining insulated temperatures below the surface
- Reducing wind-driven mixing
- Preventing harmful freeze-thaw disturbances
As long as your regeneration zone is deep enough to stay unfrozen beneath the ice, aquatic life will remain safe.
How the Pool Owner Can Support Winter Health
Although the ecosystem is mostly self-regulating, there are a few steps owners can take:
1. Remove or minimize excess organic debris. This reduces nutrient buildup and ensures better spring clarity.
2. Cut back dead plant matter. Leave some stems for wildlife habitat, but prevent heavy biomass from decaying in-pool.
The Big Picture: Winter Strengthens the Ecosystem
Rather than weakening the natural swimming pool, winter fortifies it. Dormancy, dieback, and slowed metabolism are all strategic adaptations that ensure long-term health. By spring, beneficial bacteria, plants, and wildlife rapidly rebound—often more vigorous than before.
A natural swimming pool isn’t just a summer feature; it’s a year-round ecosystem. Understanding what happens beneath the ice allows owners to appreciate the remarkable resilience of the organisms that keep their pool clean, clear, and beautifully alive.
by forming a glucose-based antifreeze, and dispersing it throughout its body. This allows the cells themselves to remain liquid and not freeze.
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
