Wildlife Pond Benefits

Wildlife Pond Benefits

Over half of the UK’s ponds now remain, and of those less than 20% are considered as priority habitat by ecologists. This is primarily due to industrialisation, property development, insufficient land drainage and inadequate farming practices. The need for wildlife ponds is even more critical to allow for natural migration of species such as amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and the survival of many invertebrates and insects, and they also act as natural food and water sources for many animals.

A wildlife pond supports nature and even a small body of water like a barrel feature, trough or bucket will soon attract wildlife, these create natural steppingstone for many species to pass through your garden, a form of natural migration. Creating wildlife ponds between streams, rivers and wetlands allows free movement and important ecological connections for large numbers of aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna. One of the most enjoyable features for your garden is to incorporate a wildlife pond, they bring your outdoor space to life and are a real focal point providing ever changing scenes.

Biodiversity…

There are so many benefits to having a wildlife pond in your garden and having one will improve biodiversity in your area by providing diverse habitat, they create a food and drink source for an array of wildlife, such as invertebrates including pond skaters, water snails, beetles, and boatmen. Dragonflies and damselflies, also existing as nymphs underwater preying on other insects and tadpoles, until they climb out of the water from tall aquatic plants with wings ready to fly. Amphibians such as frogs, toads, and newts. Birds using the pond for drinking, or ducks, and even the heron.

Educational…

Connecting people with nature by interacting with wildlife ponds is a great way to learn about our natural environment for all of us. Wildlife ponds create a haven for wildlife and are a diverse habitat with many life forms creating opportunity for outdoor learning, positively impacting us all and inspiring us to become more aware of our natural world.

Pond dipping is a fun hands-on activity allowing us to experience true values of nature and ecosystems, it provides levels of skill and knowledge you cannot gain from reading books, or especially from staring at screens. We can learn life cycles, how to identify species, develop skills for monitoring the life and health of species, gain knowledge of food webs, understand different categories of species, learn to appreciate our connection with nature, and best of all be outside in the fresh air.

Reduce Stress & Improve Wellbeing…

Spending time outdoors and surrounded by nature is good for our physical and mental health, being able to sense the smells, sights, sounds and the intuitive feeling of oneness with our natural environment enables us to feel more connected and less stressed.

Our natural affinity with water suggests having a wildlife pond can play a unique role, especially with the sound of running water, and the wildlife it attracts, having profound effects on stress and anxiety by lifting our spirits as it provides a natural environment requiring limited concentration.

Lost Habitat can design beautiful wildlife pond and ecological landscaping in Devon for your outdoor space, get in touch with us here.