Why creating new ponds helps to protect the ecosystem

At the start of the 20th century, there were around a million freshwater ponds in Britain, supporting a bio-diverse mix of animals, plants and herbs. By the turn of this century, half had disappeared and, according to research by charity Pond Conservation, 80% of those remaining were in a poor condition and most were polluted.

Increased building development in the countryside and intensification of the landscape have been blamed for the decline in ponds. Agricultural chemicals from neighbouring farmlands are the main cause, leading to ponds becoming overgrown and stagnant, and the subsequent failure of the ecosystem.

Ponds need clean water to thrive, but once pollutants enter the water the delicate ecosystem breaks down, leading to loss of habitat for threatened species such as toads, newts and frogs. A total of 105 rare and declining pond species are a national priority for conservation action under the Government’s Biodiversity Action Plan.

To counteract the loss of ponds in the UK, the charity Pond Conservation launched its Million Ponds project, aiming to replace half a million ponds within the next 50 years and so protect freshwater wildlife.

How does the pond ecosystem work?

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