POND LIFE AND ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS

LET'S PROTECT LUXEMBOURG'S WATER BODIES!

In this short but detailed article you will learn about the life system of a pond and why they are essential for our ecosystems.

WHAT ARE PONDS?

Ponds are still, quiet water bodies formed by water that fills a depression in the ground. Some would say they are nature's sanctuaries.

Sometimes people confuse ponds with lakes. To distinguish them, ecologists describe lakes to be larger and deeper than 1.8 meters. Ponds size and depth allows the temperature to be uniform all over itself.

These characteristics form an ecosystem that inhabits a diverse number of living organisms that depend on each other. Ponds are self-sustainable thanks to their productivity, decomposition, flow of energy and recycling of nutrients.

DID YOU KNOW...

A single water drop from a pond contains a huge amount of life. Just imagine how much life the water in a pond inhabits!

PONDS' BEST FRIENDS: THE TOAD AND FROG.

A moist four-legged amphibian. Who would have ever guessed frogs were the first land animal to develop vocal cords? Some of these "croakers" can even be heard from a mile away... Luxembourg waters are currently home to many frogs and toads. These organisms are placed as secondary consumers, and some of their favorite snacks include flies and mosquitoes, which is great in my opinion.

Unfortunately, amphibians, as placed as secondary consumers, are not the kings of the pond but their ability with the tongue to reach far distances and their webbed fingers make them quite unique.

Frogs are one of the most sensitive creatures to pollution: ecologists can quickly tell if something is wrong in the pond if frogs show any signs.

Natur&ëmwelt Asbl is an organization that ensures that, during their annual migration, amphibians are protected and safe from the road by raising public awareness. The ANF partners with Natur&ëmwelt where they work together to protect toad migration.

You can help too!

If you see a toad or a frog, take a picture, publish it on the app iNaturalistfill up the form of Natur&ëmwelt. The reports are then transferred to geoportail.lu. This way, we can locate their migration routes. Fun fact: in Luxembourg we display migratory traffic signs during migration to warn drivers about the toads!

HOW ARE PONDS BENEFICIAL?

Nature's best self-sustainable carbon filterPonds are beneficial by having the capability to act as a carbon sink. This means that they take in more carbon from the atmosphere than they release in the ecosystem. Ponds capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store that carbon in the biodiversity of both land and aquatic plants that thrive in the pond ecosystem.

A SAFE PLACE FOR EVERYONE THAT NEEDS IT

Habitat loss is unfortunately a typical issue for many species. Ponds are a great safe zone for these affected animals. From plants providing shade to protect these animals from predators, to birds stopping by for a little bug snack and some rest from a continent to continent journey... Making up for almost 90 percent of water bodies in the world, these crucial organism hotels are a need.

IMPACTS ON WATER BODIES

The ecological quality of water sources is impacted by numerous factors: urbanization, agriculture, pollution, etc. This deprives countless animals of shelter, which risk becoming endangered species.

At the same time, the agricultural sector is facing major challenges such as the economic and climate crisisand it is crucial to act quickly to preserve our food production capacities while preserving the biodiversity on which we depend.

The Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of the Environment are both responsible for protecting and preserving biodiversity, natural resources, and the climate. The Water Management Administration proposes an annual management plan to define the sustainable development strategy in the field of water management and protection with a view to achieving good water status.

SPECIES OUT OF LINE

Dreissena polymorphaa mollusk better known as Zebra musselwas recorded in the Moselle river over a hundred years ago. Easily spotted thanks to its distinct stripe pattern, if you come across one you would tell this mussel is out of line. Zebra mussels are invasive, they alter the ecosystem by filtering the water and competing with native Luxembourgish species for food and habitat. It is important that, if you come across a zebra mussel, you report it to the Luxembourg Ministry of Environment.

Credit photo: LaSalle-Photo

GARDENS WITH PONDS ARE COOLER.

In short, a healthy pond equals a healthy ecosystemand helping these water bodies to thrive is really important. If you own a small pond, it's important to check the pond's appearance and smell. Basic maintenance is essential. Preserving your pond correctly will reward our wildlife positively.