Big freeze and ice is 'good for pond life'

Big freeze and ice is 'good for pond life'

By Matt Walker

Source: BBC News

1/11/2010

The big freeze, which has led to many of the UK's ponds freezing over, may benefit animals living beneath the surface.

Received wisdom says that pond owners should break a hole in the ice to allow oxygen to reach the water.

But new research by conservation charity Pond Conservation has shown the opposite is true.

Oxygen levels can actually rise in a frozen-over pond, benefiting the animals and plants living beneath.

The recent Arctic conditions and adverse weather has had a significant impact on wildlife, which will be detailed by Snow Watch, a special BBC programme broadcast at GMT2000 on Wednesday 13th January on BBC Two.

To safeguard pond wildlife during freezing weather, standard advice has always been to make a hole in the ice to allow oxygen into the pond, says Dr Jeremy Biggs, director of policy and research at Pond Conservation.

But new research undertaken by Pond Conservation suggests that most garden ponds and their wildlife will survive during the big freeze if left to their own devices.