Discover temporary pond ecosystems

Temporary ponds (i.e. ponds that seasonally or erratically dry) were once a ubiquitous component of global biomes found from the equatorial forests to the arctic tundras. However, with the intensification of agriculture and hydrological modification of landscapes, these systems have largely disappeared in Europe and are often strongly degraded. Despite their substantial biodiversity including many species found nowhere else, most temporary ponds lack any formal protection. They are often overlooked and have a poor reputation. For instance, they are considered sources of mosquitoes. However, there are also strong indications that they fulfill important roles in landscapes but the full scope of ecosystem services they provide has not been quantified.