Ecology of three small pond ecosystems : determining management based on site-specific ecology.

Abstract

"In this study three small ponds were monitored over the course of 9 weeks to determine their trophic status and recommend management strategies based on the conclusions. These ponds were Gilmore Pond in Westborough, MA, Peacock Pond on the Wheaton College Campus, Norton, MA, and Wildcat Pond in Milford, MA. Surveys of bioindicator populations, including fish, frogs, macroinvertebrates, macrophytes, and algae were conducted alongside water chemistry testing of major ions (Na+, Cl-, Mg2+, Ca2+, K+, and SO42-) and nutrients (N and P) in order to answer this question. Results from bioindicator surveys indicated that Gilmore Pond exemplified a eutrophic state dominated by phytoplankton, while Peacock Pond exemplified a eutrophic state dominated by macrophytes, and Wildcat Pond was in a mesotrophic state. However, nutrient concentrations found in each of the ponds were well below what is normally considered indicative of a eutrophic system. It is postulated that threshold levels of nutrients in small ponds is much lower than the same threshold in larger lakes. Based on the results of this study, hand-pulling is recommended to eliminate mats of filamentous algae and reduce dense stands of Elodea canadensis found in Peacock Pond, followed by an application of barley hay as a natural algaecide, to be carried out over the course of several growing seasons."