United States
£ GBP
Ponds are vital oases for nature.They are nursery grounds, feeding stops and bathing spots; they are genetic superhighways and vibrant micro-ecosystems each brimming with life, interactions and potential. And they are for everyone.
The Wildlife Pond Book offers a fresh and unique perspective on ponds, encouraging readers of any budget to reach for the spade and do something positive to benefit their shared neighbourhood nature. With up-to-date, clear guidance on a range of innovative pond designs, this new book aims to encourage a wider audience to connect with freshwater habitats and offers readers unique and creative tips on how to observe, study and enjoy pond wildlife through microscopy, dipping, torching and traditional wildlife spotting.
Written by zoologist,science writer and conservation practitioner Jules Howard, The Wildlife Pond Book will be filled with creative ideas never before put to paper (and not found online) that Jules has trialled over ten years of pond building and kept secret… until now. This will be the go-to pond guide for swathes of the British population, no matter how big their outsides pace.
Foreword by Kate Bradbury
Introduction – the wonder of ponds
What makes ponds so special?
Prehistoric ponds
Ponds and civilisation
The birth of the ornamental pond
The state of Britain's ponds
Hidden values of ponds
Chapter 1 The ideas stage
Considering creatures
Where to place a pond
Holding water
Profiling your pond
Shaping your pond
Tonics, pumps and filters
Considering tub ponds
Considering patio ponds
Considering classic garden wildlife ponds
Considering larger garden wildlife ponds
Chapter 2 Preparing your pond
Preparing your patio pond
Digging the classic garden wildlife pond
Digging a larger garden wildlife pond
Pond features – nesting sites
Pond features – warming up
Pond features – safe places for pond wildlife
Pond features – feeding spots
Pond features for pond watchers
Connecting up your ponds
Safe pond designs
Chapter 3 Managing your pond
Problem plants and algae
Controlling problem plants and algae
Repairing leaks
Drought years
Ponds in winter
De-silting ponds
Your pond and pollution
Management jobs throughout the year
Chapter 4 Planting up your pond
Sourcing pond plants
Planting zones
Deep-water planting – submerged plants
Deep-water planting – floating-leaf and free-floating plants
Shallow-water zones
Wetland and pond-edge zones
Invasive pond plants
Chapter 5 Pond animals to look out for
Worms and worm-like creatures
Flies and their larvae
Water beetles
Water bugs
Pond crustaceans
Pond snails
Mites and spiders
Dragonflies and damselflies
Caddisflies, mayflies and moths
Frogs and toads
Newts
Snakes and reptiles
Birds
Mammals
Chapter 6 Exploring your pond
Pond dipping
Safe pond dipping
School ponds
Nighttime visitors
Through the lens
Plugging into the science
Temporary housing
Your pond and its food webs
Taking inspiration from nature
Useful organisations
Organisations able to provide specialist advice
Statutory conservation agencies
Further reading
Acknowledgements
Index
Jules Howard is a UK-based wildlife expert, zoology correspondent, author, science writer and broadcaster. He writes regularly for the Guardian, BBC Wildlife magazine and contributes regularly to the BBC. Part of the freshwater conservation sector for more than ten years, Jules has been involved in designing and implementing hundreds of pond projects, specialising in accessible educational ponds that offer people opportunities to see, study and discover the wildlife beneath. He has been part of BBC Wildlife's expert panel (specialising in freshwater biology) for more than 10 years. Jules is also a Patron of Froglife, the national wildlife charity.
