Plant replacement in waste water treatment gardens

The garden pictured at the right plays an essential role in an effective wastewater treatment system at Centro Ecológico Akumal.

As CEA's Web page on wastewater explains:

Constructed wetlands began with the observation that certain marsh plants, like cattails and bulrush, have special tissues that transport oxygen to the root zone. Oxygen is the driving factor for wastewater treatment by promoting the growth of microorganisms which transform the elements in our waste. Plants also take up water and nutrients in wastewater for their own growth, as well as provide beauty and habitat.

In this picture the smaller plants in the lower left corner have replaced more mature plants which no longer draw as much water and nutrients from the wastewater.