• Biodiversity Action Plan
  • View the BAP
  • BAP Partners
  • Contact the BAP
  • General Action Plans
  • Habitats
    • Eutrophic Standing Waters
    • Floodplain Grazing Marsh
    • Hedgerows
    • Lowland Calcareous Grassland
    • Lowland Dry Acid Grassland
    • Lowland Fen
    • Lowland Heathland
    • Lowland Meadows
    • Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodland
    • Open Mosaic Habitats
    • Ponds
    • Reedbed
    • Rivers
    • Traditional Orchards
    • Wet Woodland
    • Wood-Pasture and Parkland
  • Species
  • Progress and Reports
  • Habitat Opportunity Map

Ponds

---

Habitat Description

Ponds are defined as small water bodies between 1m square and 2 ha that hold water for more than four months in a year.

Ponds can be formed naturally in depressions created by glacial activity, natural subsidence or river activity. They can also be man-made, in gardens and village greens, or be created by landowners for fishing, shooting, livestock watering, aesthetic or amenity purposes. In Northamptonshire (in 2002) 123 county wildlife sites were listed that included at least one pond on site.

Current UK Status and Trends

Declining

Estimated Current Northants Resource

1133 ha of open water in Northamptonshire is included within the definition of a pond, 392 ha of which is within county wildlife sites.

Progress Towards BAP Targets 2002-2007

Awaiting updates

Main Issues and Threats

• Lack of management leading to gradual loss of open water through siltation, build up of dead plant material and expansion of marginal vegetation.
• Infilling of farm ponds that no longer have a specific function.
• Nutrient enrichment (eutrophication) resulting from agricultural runoff and leaching.
• Reduction in water quality and an increase in the incidence of pollution, both point source and diffuse.
• Over zealous management can result in the loss of fringe habitats and marginal zones.
• The release of non-native garden plant species and unnatural fish populations can seriously affect indigenous flora and fauna.

General Strategies

• Improve the ecological value of ponds by promoting conservation for nature conservation.
• Re-introduction of management of existing ponds and creation of new ponds, funded primarily through the Countryside Stewardship Scheme (Advice can be provided by The Wildlife Trust, RNRP or FWAG).
• Create a full range of successional stages at every pond, from open water, through marginal zones, to scrub, woodland or grassland.
• Maintain water quality by controlling agricultural inputs and point source pollution.
• The value of temporary pools should be recognised and these protected from infilling or excavation.

Lead Partner

The Environment Agency

Associated National Priority Species

• Common toad
• Grass snake
• Great crested newt
• Water vole see species action plan.

Specific Management Required for Associated Species

Actions