Lancashire Environment 2002
Landscape - Ponds
The figures reveal an increase of 13.3% in the number of ponds between 1988 and 2000 although part of this may be due to more robust survey techniques.
That increase needs to be set against a decline of 63% between 1840 and 1988.
Field ponds form one of the County's largest wildlife resources.
The majority of the ponds are found in the lowland south and west of the county with far fewer in the upland areas.
There is a need to assess the condition of ponds in terms of wildlife and amenity. Ponds in the lowland areas could be affected by agricultural run off.
Only a small fraction of the County's ponds have been subject to detailed ecological survey. Ponds supporting rare or important assemblages of plants, amphibians or invertebrates are identified as Biological Heritage Sites.
What is the role of LCC and other agencies?
Lancashire County Council was a main partner in the Pondlife Project in NW England led by Liverpool John Moores University. The project investigated many aspects of pond ecology and conservation including detailed ecological survey of over 750 ponds.
Recently introduced regulations make it an offence for landowners and managers to remove semi-natural habitats to increase agricultural productivity, without first seeking approval from DEFRA. The coming years will show whether these regulations have any impact on the rate of loss of ponds in the countryside.
| Number | ||||
| 1840s | 1960s | 1988 | 2000 | |
| Total | 20954 | 11133 | 6124 | 6939 |
| % of Ponds by District | |
| Fylde | 16.2 |
| Wyre | 15.2 |
| Preston | 13.8 |
| Chorley | 13.4 |
| West Lancashire | 11.2 |
| Ribble Valley | 9.8 |
| South Ribble | 7.2 |
| Lancaster | 7.1 |
| Rossendale | 2.6 |
| Burnley | 1.2 |
| Hyndburn | 1.2 |
| Pendle | 1.1 |