The ponds on the Commons are of national importance for nature conservation.
Historically, the ponds on the Commons would have been the only water source for grazing animals. Many of the ponds on the Commons are temporary pools and ruts which periodically dry out. In hot, dry summers, the water levels of the ponds would have dropped to varying extents, while the banks of the ponds would have been churned by cattle as they accessed the ponds for a drink. Correspondingly, the flora and fauna of the ponds on the Commons includes some very rare and highly specialised species, which have adapted to live in these 'difficult' conditions.
Rare species found on the Commons such as adder's-tongue spearwort, tassel stonewort and fairy shrimp have highly adapted lifecycles to allow them to be competitive in churned-up and temporary ponds. These adaptations include long periods of dormancy and rapid completion of their lifecycle once conditions are right for growth and reproduction.
Permanent ponds are also a very important habitat, and the ponds on the Commons support invertebrates such as dragonflies and damselflies and amphibians including frogs, toads, and all three of our native species of newt: great crested newt, smooth newt and palmate newt.
Historically, the ponds on the Commons would have been the only water source for grazing animals. Many of the ponds on the Commons are temporary pools and ruts which periodically dry out. In hot, dry summers, the water levels of the ponds would have dropped to varying extents, while the banks of the ponds would have been churned by cattle as they accessed the ponds for a drink. Correspondingly, the flora and fauna of the ponds on the Commons includes some very rare and highly specialised species, which have adapted to live in these 'difficult' conditions.
Rare species found on the Commons such as adder's-tongue spearwort, tassel stonewort and fairy shrimp have highly adapted lifecycles to allow them to be competitive in churned-up and temporary ponds. These adaptations include long periods of dormancy and rapid completion of their lifecycle once conditions are right for growth and reproduction.
Permanent ponds are also a very important habitat, and the ponds on the Commons support invertebrates such as dragonflies and damselflies and amphibians including frogs, toads, and all three of our native species of newt: great crested newt, smooth newt and palmate newt.