The wetland plant and macroinvertebrate assemblages of temporary ponds in England and Wales

Abstract

The biodiversity value of Northern European temporary ponds has been little recognised, and there are many gaps in our understanding of their ecology. This study investigated the wetland (including aquatic) plant and macroinvertebrate assemblages, and the physico-chemical characteristics of 71 temporary ponds in semi-natural habitats. Temporary ponds supported on average 17 (SD ± 8) wetland plant and 25 (SD ± 10) macroinvertebrate species. Over 75% of temporary ponds supported at least one uncommon (local, nationally scarce or Red Data Book) species. The number of uncommon wetland plant species and total number of macroinvertebrate species were both positively correlated with the total number of wetland plant species (richness), but there was no correlation between the number of uncommon and common macroinvertebrate species. Almost three-quarters of temporary ponds supported at least one nationally scarce macroinvertebrate and 8% supported at least one nationally scarce plant across a wide range of physico-chemical characteristics. The main environmental factor influencing the composition of temporary pond communities was water chemistry, particularly pH and alkalinity. The occurrence of facultative as well as obligate temporary pond species suggested that this habitat may play an important role in the interchange of species between waterbodies at the landscape scale.