Comparative analysis of the Macroinvertebrate fauna of ecologically stable and traditional garden ponds

Abstract

Freshwater habitats are considered to be highly vulnerable globally. For some species, mainly invertebrates, artificial ponds created in urban gardens give suitable habitat or function as stepping stones. However, traditional garden ponds use expensive pieces of equipment with high energy demand  and might release harmful chemicals into their environment. In contrast, the ecologically stable garden ponds, which are distinguished from the traditional garden ponds by their design and the complex ecosystem that maintains them, offer a solution for the problems of eutrophication and succession and maintain optimal water quality in an environmentally and cost-effective way. This study aimed to compare the aquatic macroinvertebrate fauna diversity between traditional garden ponds and ecologically stable garden ponds designed and constructed by the first author. Five ponds of both types were examined, by collecting biological specimens from 90 sampling points. Altogether 42 species were identified, and one taxon at the genus level. Our statistical analysis indicates that the ecologically stable ponds host a much richer macroinvertebrate fauna in terms of species abundance compared to traditional garden ponds.