Grocery Store of Algae
By Ken “Creekman” Davis
The development of bio-film, also called periphyton, is an important stage in winter-flooded rice fields. The thin film which grows on decomposing rice stalks is formed by many types of attached algae that harbor a wide variety of food necessary for the healthy production of water fleas. The matrix is rich with bacteria, protozoa and other microscopic animals. The developing subsurface jungle also provides an ideal foraging area, and nutrient-rich food source for aquatic insects, small fish and waterfowl.
Ken W. “Creekman” Davis is an aquatic biologist and wildlife photojournalist with more than 30-years experience. His images have been published in more than 4000 different periodicals, newsletters, brochures, encyclopedias and websites.