Temporary ponds, and ponds without fish, should be maintained as they are, because they support amphibians and certain aquatic plants. Where there is a range of different types of ponds, these should be maintained as such to ensure biodiversity. When a pond becomes silted up, or choked with vegetation, it should be cleared or deepened in small sections to allow recovery at all times. Ponds should be protected from spillages, pollution and entry of nutrients and silt, which would limit diversity of species, or even cause loss of most pondlife. Introduction of coarse fish and the removal of aquatic plants should be avoided, because they disturb the natural ecology. Changes to local land use, especially where water abstraction is involved, should be monitored.
