Temporary-Pond Wetlands: Science, Management, and Conservation
This article examines the ecology, management, and conservation of temporary pond wetlands, globally important ecosystems characterized by seasonal drying. It highlights their role in supporting biodiversity, regulating water and nutrient cycles, and providing ecosystem services while addressing key threats including climate change, land use change, and limited protection.
Subject Tags
- Wetlands
- Climate impacts
- Habitat restoration
Abstract
Temporary-pond wetlands are characterized by frequent drying resulting in a unique, highly specialized assemblage of often rare plant and animal species. They are found on all continents and in a variety of landscape settings. Although accurate estimates of the abundance of temporary-pond wetlands are available in only a few countries, global estimations indicated continued losses. Hydroregime is the key environmental driver of community structure in temporary ponds and hence the basis of their classification. Temporary ponds have been historically neglected, but improved social awareness of the functions and values, and increases in scientific interest in temporary ponds mark a change in attitudes. Temporary ponds play a relevant ecological role in both global cycles (i.e., CO2 emissions) and biodiversity (considering their size, they contribute disproportionately to the regional and global biodiversity). Moreover, they provide valuable ecosystem services including wildlife habitat, nutrient flux to adjacent ecosystems, flood control, water filtration, and cultural services. Main current threats (i.e., inconsistent and inadequate regulatory protections; climate change; changes in land use) and management challenges (i.e., management at both local and landscape scales; incomplete understanding of the ecosystem services provided by them; the need to enhance inventories) have been identified. In conclusion we discuss the most suitable approaches for conserving temporary wetlands, including: (1) regulations or other forms of protection; (2) sustainable management; (3) restoration and creation; and (4) collaborative conservation.
Citation
Dani Boix, Aram J K Calhoun, David M Mushet, Kathleen P Bell, James A Fitzsimons, Francis Isselin-Nondedeu, Temporary-Pond Wetlands: Science, Management, and Conservation, Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences, Elsevier, 2026, ISBN 9780124095489, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-41773-3.00032-9.
TNC Authors
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James Fitzsimons
Senior Advisor, Global Protection Strategies. Protect Oceans, Lands and Waters
The Nature Conservancy
Email: jfitzsimons@tnc.org