Why are ponds important?

Ponds are an important habitat

A habitat is the natural environment where a plant or animal lives. Many types of plants grow in ponds. Some grow in the mud at the bottom of the pond. Others simply float on top of the pond while their roots hang down in the water.

^{This pond has water lilies growing in it.}

^{Water lettuce is a floating plant that can be found in some ponds.}

Many animals live in ponds including many types of fish and invertebrates like crayfish and snails. Some animals use ponds for breeding. For example, frogs may lay their eggs in a pond and their tadpoles live in the water. 

^{Tadpoles can often be found in ponds.}

^{Crayfish and other invertebrates often live in ponds.}

Ponds help maintain biodiversity

Biodiversity is the variety of animal and plant life in an environment. Ponds support a large variety of plants and animals that live in or near them. Ponds are home to about two thirds of all freshwater species.

Many animals that do not live in ponds depend on them in one way or another. Some animals visit ponds to find food. Birds like egrets and herons may visit ponds to catch fish, crayfish and other small animals. Some animals go to ponds to drink water. 

^{A heron has come to this pond to find something to eat.}

Ponds help purify water

The water that enters a pond often has harmful substances called pollutants in it. The plants and microorganisms that live in the pond remove pollutants from the water. This makes the water cleaner. Plants like water lettuce and duckweed are good at removing heavy metals, excess nutrients and other harmful things from water.

^{Duckweed is a tiny plant that helps remove pollutants from water.}

Ponds help prevent flooding

When it rains heavily, ponds help prevent flooding by storing excess water. Because some rainwater flows into ponds, less water reaches the rivers and it is less likely that there will be a flood.