Garden pond diversity: Opportunities for urban freshwater conservation

Urbanisation is increasing globally, degrading terrestrial and freshwater habitats reducing faunal floral richness. Whilst the potential for garden ponds to serve as important biodiversity resources in urban areas has been documented a limited number of studies, quantifying contribution diversity largely neglected. This study aims quantify taxonomic richness, community composition conservation value aquatic macroinvertebrates domestic non-urban ponds. Taxonomic richness was significantly lower than at an alpha gamma scale. A greater Odonata, Coleoptera, Gastropoda Hemiptera were recorded Garden found support compositionally different macroinvertebrate communities compared ponds, influenced by variation water depth conductivity. total 23 taxa from only. Non-urban had higher (87% low or moderate value, while only 35% these categories). Although currently have they contribute regional species pool their limit future loss significant. Given high abundance popularity within landscape, clear guidance required pond-owners on how best manage sustain biodiversity. For this be achieved, research increase fundamental understanding pond ecology, development evidence led management practices.