Habitat Action Plans

Wetlands
	Marsh and Reedbeds
	Ponds (Standing Open Waters)
	Saltmarsh
	Streams and Ditches
	Grazing Marsh
Grassland
	Unimproved Neutral Grassland
	Improved/Semi-improved Grassland

Freshwater Ponds (Standing Open Water)

Habitat
Ponds are of great importance for amphibians as they are vital for breeding and the early life stages. Ponds may occur as one component of a larger complex of habitats and the terrestrial habitat surrounding a pond is of crucial importance also. They may occur in a variety of landscapes, in industrial, agricultural, and urban areas. The nature conservation importance of these habitats depends largely upon the nutrient status, ranging from nutrient poor – oligotrophic, through to nutrient rich – eutrophic. As noted above, ponds can be interlinked with other habitats such as reedbed. This highlights the importance of conserving these ponds, to ensure they continue to support other habitats.

Current Status
A survey of wild ponds was carried out in the late 1980’s and a re-survey completed in 1993 which covered a total of 174 ponds in the county. Many of the standing open waters in the Tees Valley are man-made, resulting from industry, and include flooded quarries, claypits and subsidence ponds which have occurred following salt extraction and ironstone mining.

Teal, Anas crecca, are part of the local SPA designation and use ponds on the Greatham Site

Ponds on the Greatham Site
The freshwater ponds on site have been highlighted on the accompanying map (PDF), to differentiate them from the saline ponds. Also noted on this map are areas for possible improvement and one pond to the north of the site, which is a possible site for creation of a new reedbed. Also shown on the map to the north of the site is an area where hibernaculum could be created for amphibia. This proposal is in the management plan for this habitat. Some comments for individual ponds have also been added to show their current status and give an indication of their importance in supporting different species of birds and amphibia. The ponds on the site support a large number of frogs and toads, species which are in decline nationally. The ponds also support bird species such as Teal, which are a component of the local SPA designation, and Gadwall, a species which is on both the local and UK BAP, and is also a red data species.

Current Factors Affecting the Habitat Nationally

• Loss due to development and agricultural intensification.
• Loss due to lack of management or neglect
• Eutrophication caused by fertilizer run-off and organic matter etc.
• Increased rate of ecological succession due to siltation and organic matter input. Larger areas are more stable and less prone to these changes.
• Infilling and urbanisation.
• Pollution from industry which may result in acidification, particularly in areas with sensitive geology and soils.

Key Pond Species on the Greatham Site

National Targets
Maintain and improve the conservation interest of standing open waters, through the use of management plans and sensitive management of adjacent land. Create new standing open waters of maximum wildlife benefit, where possible.

Water Vole, Arvicola terrestris, a local and UK BAP species. A species of great conservation concern because of nationally declining numbers. Water Vole are found on site and would benefit greatly from the management of the ponds to ensure their habitat remains and possibly improves to increase numbers.

Local Objectives

• Protect and maintain these areas through active management.
• Prevent pollution and over-abstraction of water.
• If a pond is lost due to industrial or urban development this should be compensated for by creation of a pond elsewhere.

Management Plan for Ponds on Greatham Site

• Ensure that any development work considers the integrity or conservation interests of ponds on site.
• Maintain existing pond areas by active management of surrounding vegetation. This will be included in the Species Action Plan for amphibia in greater detail. This active management will prevent species from dominating, and will help to prevent succession and loss of ponds.
• Where necessary, the removal of invasive aquatic vegetation should be undertaken e.g. Typha latifolia. An area has been marked on the accompanying map (PDF) where this invasive species needs clearing. Other ponds on site should be checked to determine whether similar actions should be undertaken.
• Continue the monitoring of population size and distribution of key pond species, and also water levels of ponds on site. Species Action Plans for the key pond species are included in the IBAP.

Smooth Newt, Triturus vulgaris, a Local and UK BAP Species. The ponds on the Greatham site provide ideal breeding areas for this species. The Smooth Newt would benefit greatly from the construction of hibernacula for amphibia.

Action Plans for Key Species
The 3 Key Species for pond habitat, for which Species Action Plans have been produced, are:

• Water Vole
• Amphibia
• Common Hawker dragonfly

The Amphibia have been grouped together for a general Species Action Plan. This group will include Common Frog, Common Toad and Smooth Newt. Along with Water Vole and Common Hawker, these species will act as ‘indicator species’, in determining the status of the ponds and any positive effects of the management plans.