INTRODUCTION

A pond is a body of standing water, either natural or man-made, that is usually smaller than a lake. A wide variety of man-made bodies of water are classified as ponds, including water garden, water features and koi ponds; all designed for aesthetic ornamentation as landscape or architectural features, while fish ponds are designed for commercial fish breeding, and solar ponds designed to store thermal energy. Pond ecosystem, the living organisms interact with each other and the non-living things for survival. The ecosystem is a basic unit in ecology, formed by the interaction of plants, animals, and microorganisms (biotic factors) with their physical environment (abiotic factors). A pond ecosystem refers to the freshwater ecosystem where there are communities of organisms that are dependent upon each other and with the prevailing water environment for their nutrients and survival. Usually, Ponds are shallow (hardly 12 - 15 feet) water bodies in which sunlight can reach to its bottom, permitting the growth of the plants that grow there. The organisms inhabiting a pond ecosystem include algae, fungi, microorganisms, plants, and fish. These organisms can be further classified as producers, consumers, and decomposers, based on their mode of obtaining nutrition. The energy in a pond ecosystem flows from the producers to the consumers. Decomposers, on the other hand, get nutrients from the dead organisms by decomposing them.

FORMATION

Ponds can result from a wide range of natural processes, although in many parts of the world these are now severely constrained by human activity. Any depression in the ground which collects and retains a sufficient amount of precipitation can be considered a pond, and such depressions can be formed by a variety of geological and ecological events.

NOMENCLATURE (Classification)

In origin, pond is a variant form of the word pound, meaning a confining enclosure. As straying cattle are enclosed in a pound so water is enclosed in a pond. In earlier times, ponds were man-made and utilitarian; as stew ponds, mill ponds and so on. The significance of this feature seems, in some cases, to have been lost when the word was carried abroad with emigrants. In the United States, natural pools are often called ponds. Ponds for a specific purpose keep the adjective, such as "stock pond", used for watering livestock. Pond usually implies a quite small body of water, generally smaller than one would require a boat to cross. Another definition is that a pond is a body of water where even its deepest areas are reached by sunlight or where a human can walk across the entire body of water without being submerged. In some dialects of English, pond normally refers to small artificially created bodies of water.

Some regions of the United States define a pond as a body of water with a surface area of less than 10 acres (40,000 m). Minnesota, known as the 'land of 10,000 lakes' is commonly said to distinguish lakes from ponds, bogs and other water features by this definition, but also says that a lake is distinguished primarily by wave action reaching the shore. Regional differences include the use of the word pond in New England, and Maine in particular, for relatively large water bodies. For example a Great Pond in Maine is considered to be at least 10 acres (41,240 m) in area. In areas which were covered by glaciers in the past, some ponds were created when the glaciers retreated. These ponds are known as kettle ponds, although larger occurrences are called kettle lakes or pothole lakes or simply kettle holes.
Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts, is a well known

example of a kettle hole. Kettle ponds are often deep and clean because they are fed by underground aquifers rather than surface streams. The term is also used for temporary accumulation of water from surface run off (ponded water).

USES

In the Indian subcontinent, Hindu temples usually have a pond nearby so that pilgrims can take baths. These ponds are considered sacred. In medieval times in Europe, it was typical for many monastery and castles (small, partly self-sufficient communities) to have fish ponds. These are still common in Europe and in East Asia (notably Japan), where Koi may be kept. Another use is in agriculture. In agriculture, treatment ponds combined with irrigation reservoirs are used as a self-purifying irrigation reservoir to allow irrigation at times of drought. Tobha is Punjabi name for village pond. Every village in Punjab (India) essentially has a pond, into which the drainage of village is forced. Buffalos and other village animals take bath in village pond during summers. Tobha is really an object of entertainment for village people, where children also learn to swim and play. The small pond in (bog) or mountain is called " " (chit ) in [Japan] and is discriminate from the pond in the plain and widely recognized by mountaineers.

HABITATS IN A POND ECOSYTEM

There are mainly four habitats in a pond ecosystem, namely- Shore, Surface Film, Open Water, and Bottom Water Habitats.

Shore Habitat The organisms inhabiting this habitat vary depending upon whether the shore is rocky, sandy, or muddy. In case of rocky shores, plants might not be able to grow, whereas in muddy or sandy or mixed type, plants like grasses, algae, and rushes can be present along with organisms such as earthworms, protozoa, snails, insects, small fish, and microorganisms. Surface Film Habitat Surface film habitat, as the name suggests, implies to the surface of the pond. In general, insects like water striders and marsh traders, organisms that are free-floating, and those that can walk on the surface of water inhabit the surface habitat. They feed on the floating plants, dead insects, and sometimes, feed upon each other. Open Water Habitat Open water habitat is inhabited by fish and the plankton or tiny organisms. Both phytoplankton (such as algae) and zooplankton (such as insect larvae, rotifers, tiny crustaceans, and invertebrates) are present in this habitat. The fish feed on the plankton and plants. Bottom Water Habitat Depending upon whether the pond is shallow or deep water, the bottom habitat varies. For example, if a pond is shallow and has a sandy bottom, organisms like earthworms, snails, and insects inhabit the bottom. On the other hand, if the pond is deep and has a muddy bottom, microorganisms, flatworm, rat-tailed maggot, and nymphs of dragonflies mostly inhabit the bottom habitat.

FOOD CHAIN IN A POND ECOSYSTEM

Food chain in a pond ecosystem is divided into three basic trophic levels - the first, second, and third trophic levels. A sample of pond water food chain is: Algae (producer) consumer). Insect (herbivore /primary consumer) Fish (carnivore /secondary

For better understanding, the three trophic levels are explained below: The first level is represented by the producers or the autotrophs; for example, phytoplankton and plants. They prepare their own food with the help of energy from sunlight through the process of photosynthesis. The second trophic level is characterized by presence of herbivores such as insects, crustaceans, and invertebrates inhabiting the pond. Organisms in this level consume the plants or producers. The third and the topmost trophic level comprises the carnivores, especially the fish species, which can feed on both plants and the herbivores of the first trophic level and second trophic level respectively. In addition to the three trophic levels, there are sapro-trophic organisms, commonly known as decomposers, which are located at the bottom of the food chain. Decomposers, mostly the bacteria and fungi, are very important in the nutrient cycle. They convert all the organic matter from the dead and decayed organisms into carbon dioxide and nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and magnesium. These nutrients are generated in such a way that they can be readily used by algae and plants for production of food, which is again consumed by the herbivores. Furthermore, the carnivores feed on the producers and herbivores. Thus, the flow of energy is maintained in a pond ecosystem.

FUNCTIONS

Pond ecosystems perform many important environmental functions. For example, they recycle nutrients, purify water, attenuate floods, recharge ground water and provide habitats for wildlife. Pond ecosystems are also used for human recreation, and are very important to the tourism industry, especially in coastal regions. The health of a pond ecosystem is degraded when the ecosystem's ability to absorb a stress has been exceeded. A stress on an aquatic ecosystem can be a result of physical, chemical or biological alterations of the environment. Physical alterations include changes in water temperature, water flow and light availability. Chemical alterations include changes in the loading rates of biostimulatory nutrients, oxygen consuming materials, and toxins. Biological alterations include the introduction of exotic species. Human populations can impose excessive stresses on aquatic ecosystems.[

MICROORGANISMS IN POND WATER

There are a large number of microorganisms in pond water that are not visible to the naked eye. Every drop of water in ponds and lakes is teeming with such various life forms that it would be difficult for one to even conceive unless he sees it with his own eyes. Besides the various pond insects that we all are so familiar with, there are a large number of microorganisms in pond water. Let us take a look at this world in the liquid environs of pond water that eludes the naked eye: BACTERIA Bacteria is a large group of single celled organisms that are found in every corner of the earth, be it land, air or water. There are approximately 51030bacteria on the earth that forms a major part of the biomass. These are prokaryotes that lack a nucleus and membrane bound organelles. They come in different shapes and sizes. Cyanobacteria are very commonly found microorganisms in water. The bluish-green color water in pond or ditches is attributed to these organisms. Nostoc and anabaena are

common cyanobacteria that are found in pond water. Spirochaete bacteria is another group of bacteria commonly found in pond water that unlike cyanobacteria have numerous hair like structures that make them fast movers. PROTOZOA Protozoans are unicellular eukaryotes that in contrast to prokaryotes have a nucleus that encloses the genetic material. Their cells also have membrane bound cell organelles. Euglena is a microorganism in ponds that moves with the help of flagella. Amoeba forms another group of protozoa that move with the help of pseudopodia or false feet. Ciliates like paramecium, vorticella and ophrydium move in water with the help of their numerous small hairs like structures called the cilia. ALGAE Algae are another diverse group of plants that may be unicellular or multicellular but are essentially autotrophic, that is they manufacture their own food through the process of photosynthesis. Some of the common algae found in pond water are chlamydomonas, euglena and spongomonas. While chlamydomonas is a free swimming flagellate, spongomonas use their flagella to collect food instead of moving around, and live in a gelatinous matrix. Volvox is an alga that lives in colonies. Diatoms, spirogyra, oedogonium, cladophora, zygnema and porphyridium are some filamentous types of algae that are common microorganisms found in water. ROTIFERS Rotifers are a type of multicellular micro-animals that are most commonly found in freshwater, although some forms are also adapted for life in salty waters of the seas and oceans. These animals get their name from the tuft of cilia that is present at the front of the body around their mouth. They use their cilia to propel themselves and also direct food into their mouth. However, not all rotifers are dependent on cilia for locomotion. Most free-living forms have two toe like structures in their posterior end with which they attach themselves to the substrate while feeding. Rotifers' diet include algae, dead bacteria and waste of fish. HYDRA Hydra is another freshwater animal that is most commonly found in pond water. This animal belongs to the class hydrozoa the members of which live mostly in marine water. Hydra is a predatory animal that hunts its prey with the help of specialized stinging cells called cnidocytes. These stinging cells are present in the tentacles that surround the mouth. On the other end of the tubular body of the hydra is a basal disc or foot with which the hydra attaches itself to the substratum.

IDENTIFYING MICROORGANISMS IN POND WATER The best method of identifying microorganisms in pond water is to collect some pond water and observe it under a microscope. The materials required for this activity are: y y y y y Compound microscope Microscope slides Cover slips Eye Dropper Pond water

Collect some pond water in a jar. Pour one drop of this water in a microscope slide. Cover the drop gently with a cover slip. Do not press the cover slip on the slide with your finger. Now place the slide under the lens of the microscope and observe the microorganisms in pond water. It is always best to use a fresh sample of pond water. The various microorganisms in pond water along with all the other larger forms play specific roles in the pond ecosystem. This was less than a trailer of the spectacular movie that the world in a drop of pond water is. To see all of it you will have to collect some pond water and observe it more than just once.

POND INSECTS

Ponds are full of different types of insects. Each insect species has its own specialized adaptations to the aquatic environment. Ponds are housing grounds for myriads of insects like mayflies, water bugs, water scorpions, etc. Scores of insects enter into this world through ponds and some of them even live all their lives in ponds (adapted to living in water), whereas others live their larval and nymph stages in these ponds until and leave the pond on reaching adult stage. Pond insects feed on larvae of other insects found in the pond, decaying vegetation and algae. Each insect species is well-adapted to surviving in the aquatic environment, and the characteristics of each species are unique and interesting to know, which is why pond insects are popular among children. The different types of insects found in ponds are: MAYFLY Mayflies are usually found in fresh running water of ponds and can be identified by their unique leaflike gills. On each side of the mayfly's abdomen are 7 pairs of gills which look like tiny leaves. When mayflies swim about in the water, their leaf-like gills continuously move, helping us to identify them. The mayfly nymphs have flat bodies, a flat head and flat legs which enable them to adhere to lower surfaces of rocks and other rough surfaces. These nymphs are about 2.5 cm long, and usually have three tails attached to the abdomen. They also have 3 pairs of segmented legs ending in claws and visible wing pads. Mayfly nymphs are harmless and feed on algae and other decaying vegetation. Fish, trout, water bugs, etc are found to eat these nymphs as food. The mayfly lives in this nymph stage for a period as long as a year, and when it becomes an adult, it flies into the sky. An adult mayfly has two sets of wings of which the fore-wings are

larger. The adult holds the wings high above itself when it is at rest. During the evening times, scores of mayflies are found flying over the pond. This is actually their mating time. Adult mayflies do not live long as they do not eat (their mouth parts become useless once they become adults). So, as soon as they mate, the female lays eggs in pond water and the parental mayflies die. Therefore, the mayfly lives in the nymph stage for almost a year, whereas in the adult stage it lives only for a day or two.

WATER BUGS The term 'bug' is often used to refer to the term 'insects', however, not all insects are bugs. Water bug is a type of insect which has its wings neatly crossed at the tip, whereas the wings of a beetle are found to meet straight down its back. The differentiating factor between water bugs and other water insects is its jointed beak, which is used for sucking juices. Water boatmen, giant water bugs and backswimmers are the types of water bugs.

WATER BOATMEN These flat and elongated aquatic insects live in ponds and slow-moving waters, and are usually found swimming at the bottom of the pond. They have two short legs which are scoop-shaped at the hip, and four hind legs which are covered with long oar-shaped swimming hair. The name water boatmen is given to this insect because of the oar-shaped hair on its hind legs. These insects are harmless and they feed on aquatic plants and algae and not on other insects. Through their triangular straw-like mouth parts, saliva is injected into the plant which then digests the plant material. The liquefied plant material is sucked by the insect as nutrition. Water boatmen are often found swimming in clusters and can be quite a nuisance when their numbers increase. In parts of Mexico, people consider these pond insects as delicacies.

GIANT WATER BUGS This water bug is almost 2 inches in size, and is equipped with strong powerful legs for swimming. Its large, powerful, piercing beak consists of mouth parts in the form a tube, so as to suck the food. These bugs are far bigger than other insects and are found to eat birds, fish and other aquatic insects, by piercing their sharp mouth parts and injecting enzymes into the prey's body causing it to liquidize. Their bites prove to be nasty, and thus we must be careful while dealing with them. These giants are found in slow-moving waters and often move from one pond to another in search of food and are even found to be attracted to electric light.

BACKSWIMMER This pond insect swims on its back, and this is what it gets its name from. These insects have long and strong hind legs, which aid in swimming, however, these hind limbs are not suited for walking on land. These 15 mm long insects can be recognized by their curved back and large eyes. In fact, some of them have red eyes and silvery white backs. Backswimmers hang upside down in water, that is, their head is downwards, followed by their body and legs that thrust upward for air. While resting at the surface of the pond, they trap air from the surface of the pond into the air sacs below their wings. They feed on other pond insects, small fish and tadpoles and some are even seen attacking salamanders. Backswimmers can be quite a nuisance, since they devour all the pond fishes. However, to get rid of them, one could put two or three sunfish into the pond, which eat the backswimmers. STONEFLY Stoneflies are found in running water streams and pools, and are usually not found in quiet, still ponds. Like the mayflies, they are also found adhering to rocks and in appearance, are very similar to the mayflies, making it difficult to differentiate between the two. However, stoneflies lack leaf-shaped gills, and instead, have threadlike gills. Two long antennae and three segmented legs ending into two claws on each foot, four wings (which are held flat in resting position) and two tails on the adult are features of this insect. Some of the stoneflies' nymphs are herbivorous, whereas some are carnivorous.

DRONE FLY Drone flies often resemble drone bees, and are commonly found in muddy ponds and stagnant waters. Often these pond insects are mistaken for bees while they are in flight. However, unlike bees which possess 2 pairs of wings, drone flies only have one pair. Their larvae are also called 'rat-tailed maggots' due to the long tail present at the end of their fat body. This tail is no ordinary tail, for it brings fresh supply of oxygen from the surface of the water. Just like how pieces of a telescope fit into one another, so also do the pieces of the tail. The telescope-type air tube enables the drone fly to live in muddy and stagnant waters which are oxygen-deficient.

DRAGONFLIES Female dragonflies lay their eggs on the surface of water plants, which then hatch into nymphs. The nymphs spend most of their life below the surface of water, using their large lips to catch tadpoles, snails, insect larvae, etc. as food under water. The dragonfly can live in the larval stage from one year, to a period as long as five years, before it metamorphoses into an adult. Adult dragonflies are

characterized by their long, transparent wings which are held stiffly away and perpendicular to the body like a helicopter's wings. Six legs, multifaceted eyes (providing 360 degree vision) and brown or green elongated body (camouflage against predators) are some other features of this insect. They are found flying across ponds, scooping down to catch little insects and mosquitoes. Despite their ferocious appearance, they are harmless insects which do not sting or bite human beings.

WATER STRIDER These pond insects are seen to skate or walk on the water surface, and thus are also known as 'water skaters'. Their bodies are covered with black-brown hair and are easy to identify because of their second and third long legs (double the size of the body). The tiny water repellent hair on legs have tiny air bubbles on them, which allow them to skate on the water surface. The front legs are shorter and are used to attack and catch the prey. This 8-12 mm long, Water strider uses the vibrations on the water surface to locate its prey. It uses its piercing and sucking type of mouth to suck the prey dry. An interesting fact about these pond insects is that they create ripples on the water surface to attract the opposite sex for mating. Even though these insects walk on water, they dive underwater, whenever they encounter danger from predators. Once the predator has passed, they resurface and resume walking. They feed on shrimp, mosquito larvae and dead insects that drop onto the water surface.

WATER SCORPION The name water scorpion is given to this insect because of its specialized forelimbs which resemble the 'pincers' of a scorpion, as well as the breathing tube at its tip which resembles the long stinging tail of the scorpion. These pond insects have 2 pairs of wings and 3 pairs of legs. Of the legs, the forelimbs are specialized to grasp preys and thus have outer segments folding into grooves to secure the prey. However, unlike the scorpion, the water scorpion does not have pincers. At the base of the abdomen, there exists a tube (resembling scorpion's sting), which is actually made up of two straight filaments pressed against each other and unlike the sting, it is used to obtain air from the water surface. These pond insects are often overlooked as they resemble twigs, sticks or dried leaves. These insects are slowmoving and often not recognized by their preys such as nymphs of other pond insects, worms and shrimp. Pond insects form the second level of the food chain in the Pond Ecosystem, as these insects eat plant matter and are themselves food to many fishes in the pond. Thus, they play a crucial role in balancing the pond ecosystem.

POND ANIMALS FROGS

Frogs eat insects. They usually spend their day sitting on lily pads. Frogs usually live between 4-15 years. Frogs have fairly good eyesight. Its scientific name is Rano catesbeiana.

y y y y y

SNAIL
y y y y y Live for 1-2yrs. They eat plants. Kept moist by mucus. There is a muscle called a foot in the snail and it propels the snail. Its scientific name is Cyphoma gibbson.

CLAM
Over 2,000 varieties of clams. Two main types are hard shell and soft shell. Life span is uncertain. Algae provide 90% of metabolized nutrients. It's scientific name is Katelysia Opima.

y y y y y

BEAVER
y y y y y They can live for 16 yrs. Second largest rodent. They only eat plants. They can swim under water for 15 min. Its scientific name is Castor Canadensis.

POND PLANTS DUCKWEED

Duckweed is the smallest flowering plant. It is found all around the world except for the coldest areas. It grows in slow moving fresh-water. Genetic engineers are cloning duckweed genes. The scientific name is Lemna minor.

CATTAILS
Cattails are very common in ponds and lakes. The scientific name for a cattail is Typha latifolia. There leaves are flat, 8-15 tapering. There colors are usually brown, or light brown.

WATER LILIES
Water Lilies are also called lily pads. Water lilies have thick, sturdy stems. They are custom built to float on top of the water. There are seventy different types of water lilies. Water lilies are becoming endangered because the wetlands are becoming endangered. The scientific name for a water lily is Nymphaea ororata.

GREEN ALGAE There are 7,000 different types of Green Algae in many different types of habitats. It can be unicellular or multicellular. Algae intertwine within each other to look bigger and be stronger. Some organisms depend on Green algae to conduct photosynthesis for them. The scientific name for Green Algae is Pediastrum boryanum.

PHYTOPLANKTON Plant plankton or Phytoplankton is a single celled organism that changes carbon dioxide into oxygen that humans can breathe. Most plankton can only be seen with a microscope, although some aquatic animals are considered plankton to. Because of the way they float through the water. The scientific name for Phytoplankton is Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii.

POLLUTION OF PONDS

As with any habitat, if ponds are in danger of disappearing then it follows that the wildlife in them is also endangered. Some of pond animals are already officially on the list of rare animals. The great-crested newt and natter jack toad are the two officially endangered species of amphibian but even the common frog is not nearly so common as it used to be. The many species of dragonflies are also becoming increasingly rare. The water in a pond must remain clean if it is to provide a healthy environment for the organisms (animals and plants) living in it. The natural waste from the living and dead organisms is recycled by special tiny organisms called bacteria. Plenty of oxygen is needed for the bacteria to break down the waste. The pond can take care of its own waste its people who cause pollution! The most noticeable kind of pollution is the dumping of rubbish anything from old cars and cans to bikes and bottles have been found cluttering up ponds. Such thoughtless behavior not only makes the environment look so unsightly but it may also destroy pond-life. Perhaps the most serious threat to ponds is chemical pollution as a result of modern farming methods. Over the years fields have been sprayed with pesticides to rid the crops of pests. However, rain often washes the excess chemicals off the crops into nearby ponds, streams or rivers, poisoning some of the animals living there. Fortunately, these poisonous chemicals are not used so freely now and, hopefully, this problem will gradually be reduced. Another, equally serious, problem connected with agriculture is the use of artificial fertilizers. Powdery chemical fertilizers, containing nitrates, are put on the crops to help their growth but they can also be washed off by rain into nearby ponds. They do not poison the wildlife but the rich supply of nitrogen causes the water plants, especially algae, to grow very quickly. The plants use up so much oxygen during the night and when they decay that there is none left for the other pond-life. The growth also prevents sunlight reaching the organisms below. Eventually, all the algae die leaving a stinking, decaying mass. The case of excess nitrates in water is called eutrophication.

HOW TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY POND ECOSYSTEM?

There's quite a lot that goes into creating and maintaining a thriving pond ecosystem. In nature, there are numerous forces at work that help renew and clean water while providing nutrients to fish and plants. However, unlike a natural stream or river, which is able to constantly renew itself, a pond is a completely closed system. This essentially means that nothing gets in or out by itself. The hobby of keeping a pond involves imitating the natural forces found in nature to create a balanced pond ecosystem. The signs of a well-balanced pond include healthy fish, clear water, thriving plants, and minimal pests such as algae. Filtration The driving force behind most healthy pond ecosystems is the filtration system. A good system makes use of both mechanical and biological filtration. Mechanical filters remove physical particles of various sizes from the water via some kind of mesh or screen. Biological filtration on the other hand cleans the water on a molecular level, converting harmful toxins like ammonia into more palatable compounds like nitrate. Without a biological filter, the ammonia levels in the water would continue to grow due to decaying organic material and fish waste, making the water inhospitable to fish and/or life. For a more in-depth description of biological filtration, including the various types available, please see our page on biological filters. Pumps In order to drive the filtration system mentioned above, you're going to need some kind of pump to move all that water. At a very minimum you'll want a pump that moves the entire contents of your pond every two hours. If you plan on housing Koi or Goldfish, then once per hour is better. Pumps come in both submersible and external varieties.

Skimmers Skimmers are a type of mechanical filter that captures floating debris on the surface of the water before it is given a chance to sink and decay. As mentioned earlier, decaying leaves and sticks eventually produce ammonia, which is a poison to fish and certain other types of life.

Plants Plants are an excellent way to boost a pond ecosystem due to the natural biological filtration they provide. Plants are able to absorb certain metals, nitrates, and ammonia from the water in addition to releasing oxygen into the air and water. Plants also use up certain nutrients in the water that would otherwise be used by string algae or single celled algae that cause green water. Sun Exposure One of the most common problems a pond owner can face is green pond water, also known as algae bloom. Unbeknownst to some, the biggest stimulant to the single celled algae that cause green water is the sun. Just like with people, some sun exposure is a healthy thing, but too much can cause problems.

HELPFUL TIPS FOR POND MAINTENANCE

Here are some helpful tips for the pond maintenance: y You should regularly check the water level of your pond as pond water may evaporate continuously. The pond does not have an ability to hold the water during the rainy season unlike a lake or the sea. It may lose excess water during the dry season. Therefore, you should check and maintain adequate water level. You should fill the pond with fresh water as needed, to ensure safety and health of the aquatic life in its ecosystem. If the water level is not dropped within 3 weeks, then pump out some water and add fresh water in the pond. Add a dechlorinator to minimize the amount of chlorine in the newly added water. Dechlorination is very important, as a small amount of chlorine can harm or even kill the fish in the pond. y Check your pond for the presence of any decaying plants and other debris. The toxins released during their breakdown in the process are harmful to the fish in your pond. Regularly check the bottom of your pond and remove the decaying plants and debris from it. y Check the filtering system of your pond every 5 weeks for the presence of clogs or other obstructions. These obstructions can prevent the uninterrupted flow of water. Keep in mind that the filter should work for 24 hours without any interruption. Even if it stops for a few hours, it may lose a large amount of its beneficial bacteria. In order to avoid it, you should regularly clean the filter to maintain the cleanliness of your pond. y Add some beneficial bacteria to your pond. These bacteria are the natural cleaning agents and helpful in maintaining the ecosystem. They feed on the fish waste and other organic debris in the pond. They convert ammonia into nitrites, which are then converted to nitrates. Nitrates play a major role in pond filtration. They are absorbed by the aquatic plants, which in turn release oxygen. This nitrogen cycle helps to reduce phosphorus and other harmful contents in the pond. This cycle can also prevent the growth of algae. The beneficial bacteria feed on decaying matter such as fish waste, dead bugs and leaves. Such organic waste is essential for the growth of algae. The growth of algae in the pond water is prevented due to lack of the organic waste. These beneficial bacteria are available in four forms, i.e. liquid, powder, barley straw and blocks.

y Proper aeration of your pond is very important, as fish and bacteria need oxygen. Once you provide your pond with adequate aeration, it is easier to maintain it. You should also fertilize your water plants with appropriate fertilizers. y Simple pond maintenance done on a regular basis can make your pond's surrounding lively and beautiful. With a little effort, you can enjoy the well-maintained ecosystem of your pond. y The pond ecosystem is a fresh water environment that can reveal the health of a local area. Fresh water environments such as the pond ecosystem have specific life forms that show its overall health. Toxins or pollution can affect the pond ecosystem adversely. The importance of understanding the pond ecosystem involves the life forms and plant cultures that are part of the healthy environment. y The pond ecosystem begins with what lives in the water. From the smallest microbes, single cell creatures to the guppies, leeches and midges, only clean water can sustain life. The plants that convert oxygen for these creatures are as important as the fauna. The healthy pond ecosystem will have a balance of both plant and animal living with in its parameters. Studying the balance between plant and animal and soil, sedges and underlying strata can give an overall view of the quality of the water table and land. With human activity impacting on the pond environment, toxins can affect the quality of the pond ecosystem. If toxins affect the water, plants can die. Without plants to add oxygen to the water, the creatures might perish. Without the smallest life forms in the food chain, the ripple effect can lead to other species dying out or leaving the pond environment. y Leeches have long been an indicator of the pond ecosystems health status. Leeches are found where water quality is good. If the pond ecosystem is not balanced, or there are impurities in the water that the life forms cannot deal with, then one of the first to suffer or leave the environs is the humble leech. y Birds, spiders, lizards, rodents, rabbits and larger mammals are all reliant on a healthy pond ecosystem. Without clear clean water, filtered by ample plant life or good drainable soil, the larger animals will need to find other sources of water. y Agriculture and the impact of human activity on the pond ecosystem can affect the quality and purity of soil and water. Fertilizer, oil, introduced species, pollution, fishing can all upset the delicate balance that exists in a healthy pond ecosystem. y Maintaining the balance, keeping every species alive and in good numbers will ensure a healthy, vital pond ecosystem. Fresh water, climate, drought, humidity, rising salinity are all important factors that can effect the pond ecosystem beyond the initial impact of human activity. y The food chain, from tiny water borne creatures that feed midges and insects that feed birds, to the rabbits that feed foxes and the grasses that feed cattle and sheep, all depend on the pond ecosystem to sustain their lives. Water is essential to life on this planet. Fresh water and the quality of fresh water in the pond ecosystem is actually of global importance.