The role of pond management for biodiversity conservation in an agricultural landscape

摘要: Debate surrounds the best way to deal with pond terrestrialization so as maximize landscape-scale biodiversity. One of addressing this issue is re-set succession via management activities, but merits approach relative non-intervention and creation are little known. Manor Farm in Norfolk, UK, possesses around 40 ponds, each year three four ponds subject involving tree (de-shading) and/or sediment removal. To determine consequences for biodiversity, macrophyte invertebrate communities were surveyed replicate covering ‘time since management’ categories: no management, managed over periods 1999–2003, 2004–2006 2007–2009. Macrophyte diversity was significantly lower unmanaged compared 2007–2009. In addition, exception Mollusca, all ponds. A tendency evident peak 3–5 years after a subsequent decline (significant macrophytes). No distinctive species assemblages associated different successional stages, although several confined individual Although many absent from non-managed especially macrophytes Coleoptera, few unique these ponds. The principal driver turnover shade, which negatively correlated cover. Shade substantially higher whose species-poor appeared be consequence low oxygen levels. By arresting restoring macrophyte-dominated early- mid-successional may have an essential role biodiversity conservation. pond-rich landscapes, where high proportion heavily terrestrialized, provides sustainable means both preserving heterogeneity network preventing loss large numbers favour Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.