Temporary ponds of eastern Poland: an initial assessment of their importance for nature conservation

A preliminary investigation of temporary pond water beetle and larger branchiopod crustacean assemblages was undertaken in eastern Poland in 2003 and 2004. Ponds were studied in three landscape types: floodplain, agricultural plateau and forest. Plateau and floodplain ponds were richest in species and supported most species of conservation concern. Forest landscapes, although enjoying high levels of nature conservation protection, supported the least species rich ponds with fewer rarities, although they did support a number of specialist species. Overall, the results of the study provide evidence that temporary ponds in floodplain and other low intensity agricultural landscapes support rich invertebrate assemblages of high nature conservation interest in a European context.