Despite their small size, research has shown that at the landscape scale ponds support a greater diversity of freshwater plants and animals and more uncommon species than larger waterbodies like rivers and lakes ^[1]. We have lost approximately 50% of our ponds from the UK over the last century, and around 80% of the remaining UK ponds are degraded, usually due to poor water quality or a lack of or inappropriate management.

Ponds are a critical part of the freshwater system and provide a habitat for approximately two thirds of freshwater species, while also being important for terrestrial species such as pollinators and bats. They provide a range of ecosystem services, for example, they may play an important role as a nature based solution and help mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon and alleviating flooding.

Recent research has shown that landscape-level freshwater biodiversity in lowland agricultural landscapes can increase by an incredible 26% simply by creating clean-water ponds ^[2]. This increase in biodiversity is of a magnitude higher compared to other catchment conservation projects, demonstrating the exceptional value of ponds as a keystone habitat in maintaining freshwater biodiversity. A key reason for these observations is the ability of ponds to provide reliably clean, unpolluted water which is a rare occurrence in our now heavily polluted landscapes and catchments.

Without any practical interventions, freshwater plants are estimated to be declining at a rate of 1% per year across lowland landscapes. However, creating clean-water ponds specifically targeted for biodiversity could be an extremely effective tool to help stem and reverse ongoing declines in freshwater biodiversity in the UK.

How can we create clean-water ponds?

New ponds should be carefully located in places where they will be free from pollution like agricultural chemicals and road run-off, and where they will naturally fill with clean water, e.g. low intensity pasture, scrub or woodland. They should also be offline, meaning isolated from streams and ditches which are usually polluted.

Ponds can be any size to provide an important habitat for wildlife, from 1 m² shallow grassy pools to larger old quarry sites, they all support different species. Most wildlife lives in water less than 10 cm deep as these areas warm up quickly, benefitting plants, invertebrates and amphibian larvae, therefore, extensive shallow margins are vital for good quality ponds. If it’s possible to dig more than one pond, aim for ponds to be different sizes, depths and shapes, to maximise habitat diversity.

Creating new clean-water ponds is relatively cheap, quick and easy and has been shown to be an incredibly effective way to cause large, landscape-scale increases in freshwater biodiversity elsewhere in the UK. Consequently, they could be an exceptionally useful tool for protecting aquatic species across Herefordshire and the wider River Wye catchment.

Find out more

For more detailed guidance on pond creation see the Freshwater Habitats Trust Pond Creation Toolkit: Pond Creation Toolkit - Freshwater Habitats Trust

Or speak to a Wye Adapt to Climate Change Project Officer:

Wye Valley National Landscape: Holly Williams, h.williams@herefordshirewt.co.uk, 07939 973640

Herefordshire Wildlife Trust: Holly Thompson, h.thompson@herefordshirewt.co.uk, 07535 655483

Radnorshire Wildlife Trust: Sarenta King, sarenta@rwtwales.org, 07939 839421

[1] Comparative biodiversity of rivers, streams, ditches and ponds in an agricultural landscape in Southern England - ScienceDirect

[2] Nature based measures increase freshwater biodiversity in agricultural catchments - ScienceDirect