Etang

Etang is the French term for a pond or small lake. It denotes a shallow, relatively small body of standing water, often bordered by banks, reeds, or marshy vegetation. In common usage it is distinguished from a lac, which tends to be larger, deeper, and longer-lasting, while an étang can be natural or man-made and may vary seasonally in size and depth.

Etymology: The word étang derives from Old French estang, from Latin stagnum meaning "stagnant water" or "pool." The spelling and usage reflect historic forms of the word in medieval and early modern French.

Formation and characteristics: Étangs arise naturally in depressions formed by geology, glaciation, or coastal processes, and they can also be created by damming, excavation, or marsh reclamation for irrigation, fish farming, or ornamental gardens. Water is usually shallow, and margins are often colonized by reeds and aquatic plants. Water levels may fluctuate with rainfall, evaporation, and human management, and salinity ranges from freshwater to brackish in coastal settings.

Ecology and use: Étangs provide habitat for amphibians, aquatic invertebrates, waterfowl, and a diversity of wetland plants. They can support fisheries and irrigation, and they are common features in landscape design and garden ponds. They are also vulnerable to nutrient loading, sedimentation, pollution, and invasive species, which can impair water quality and biodiversity; management often includes vegetation control, dredging, and water-quality measures.

Toponymy and notable examples: The term appears in many French place names, reflecting historic or present ponds or pond-like features. Notable contemporary examples include the Étang de Berre, a large coastal lagoon near Marseille, and the Étang de Thau in southern France known for its oyster beds.