Tussocks - Learn More About Them

Do you know what Tussocks, Sudds, Floatons or Drifting Islands are?   If not, the result is simple; they are clumps of  Drifting peat, mud and marine plants.   The islands are also constituted of flora roots and other nutrient debris.   These islands can be just a few square feet in size or a numerous hundred acres in size.  This natural phenomenon is seen all around the globe.   Tussocks are ofttimes found in lakes and marshlands.  

Tussocks mainly are made from cattails, bulrush, sedge, and reeds extending from a shoreline of some sort of wetland area.  When the vegetation hangs over from the land it starts togrow.   Low water levels in the root areas can  result in water flora tips reaching for the water and then slowly hanging over the edge and eventually breaking from the shoreline.  The area under the  floating mat is usually very rich with aquatic living organisms.   Finally harsh weather or storms cause  the overhanging portion to break from the shoreline.    The bulk begins to  transmigrate and eventually clings onto another landform.   Wind helps to move the mountain  along, but anything to harsh can destroy the mass.   Some larger Tussocks are able to support trees that grow up to 50 feet  tall with diameters between 8-12 inches.

Tussocks have been a symbolization of the maturing process of water bodies.   Tussocks are said to be a part of the shallow lakes in Florida.   Droughts, fires and floods have greatly altered the number of existing  Tussocks.   Floods are the most standard mode of transportation for Tussocks.   Most Tussocks have been deposited in downstream fenland or upland areas.  

In the today’s world, man made structures such as wires, levees, and dykes are produced to maintain the water level.  This binding prevents the  creation of the Tussocks because the water level gets too high or too low in most places.  Most people, nowadays, don’t  cherish the influx of floating islands.  The island not only carries itself, but it might also carry many other creatures.   Many times reptilians and amphibians hitch a ride on a Tussock.  I personally don’t think someone would enjoy the arrival of a big deadly alligator beside their home.  The tussocks don’t always bring red alerted organisms, but it also might bring good floras and herbs along with it.  

Floating islands may also cause another significant problem.   Floating islands can block critical shipping harbour.   This even can cause a lot of undue stress for business close or  far away from the ports.   It is not uncommon for boats to be blocked or damaged by Tussocks.   Irrigation systems can also become clogged by Tussocks.  Many governments are blowing millions so that Tussocks don’t get in  their way of having a happy life.  Herbicides are used to control these structures.    Some Tussocks have been checked through pricey ways like shedding and the use of a barge mounted  track hoe.