Stormwater ponds serve as variable quality habitat for diverse taxa

• Published in: Wetlands ecology and management 2024-02, Vol.32 (1), p.109-131
• Main Authors: McKercher, Levi J., Kimball, Matthew E., Scaroni, Amy E., White, Sarah A., Strosnider, William H. J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquatic mammals; Aquatic plants; Best management practices; Biodiversity; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Birds; Conservation Biology/Ecology; Environmental Law/Policy/Ecojustice; Fish; Flood control; Flood management; Freshwater & Marine Ecology; Habitats; Health promotion; Hydrology/Water Resources; Impaired water quality; Introduced species; Invasive species; Life Sciences; Macrophytes; Marine & Freshwater Sciences; Original Paper; Phytoplankton; Ponds; Predators; Stormwater; Stormwater quality; Strategic management; Taxa; Trophic status; Trophic structure; Water pollution; Water quality; Water quality control; Water Quality/Water Pollution; Zooplankton
• ISSN: 0923-4861; 1572-9834
• DOI: 10.1007/s11273-023-09964-x

Stormwater ponds are primarily designed for flood control and water quality protection, but they often serve as habitats of differing quality for a variety of organisms. Floral and faunal distributions within stormwater ponds are dependent on the environmental and biological characteristics of each pond and surrounding ecosystem which are inherently linked to management. Increasing stormwater pond size and habitat complexity can promote more diverse floral and faunal communities. However, aquatic pollution and the presence of invasive species can reduce biodiversity. Robust submerged and emergent macrophyte assemblages are critical in maintaining rich and abundant populations of other taxa. Phytoplankton are key primary producers in stormwater ponds; however, some groups are toxic. Zooplankton distribution in stormwater ponds is primarily determined by aquatic connectivity, trophic status, salinity, and predator presence. Fish may be naturally or unnaturally introduced to stormwater ponds, and impaired water quality can threaten their health. Various bird species use stormwater ponds as temporary or permanent habitat, and emergent macrophytes can provide roosting habitat. In some cases, birds may become nuisances and impair stormwater pond water quality. Semi-aquatic mammals may inhabit stormwater ponds with the potential to physically alter these habitats through shelter construction. For some taxa, stormwater ponds represent ecological traps which reduce organismal fitness. This review critically examines the many factors that determine floral and faunal communities within stormwater ponds, with insight into best management practices to promote healthy pond ecosystems, advance stakeholder engagement and awareness, and avoid the creation of ecological traps in an increasingly urbanizing world.