A functional definition to distinguish ponds from lakes and wetlands

• Autores: Richardson, David C.; Holgerson, Meredith A.; Farragher, Matthew J.; Hoffman, Kathryn K.; King, Katelyn B. S.; Alfonso, María Belén; Andersen, Mikkel R.; Cheruveil, Kendra Spence; Coleman, Kristen A.; Farruggia, Mary Jade; Fernandez, Rocio Luz; Hondula, Kelly L.; López Moreira Mazacotte, Gregorio A.; Paul, Katherine; Peierls, Benjamin L.; Rabaey, Joseph S.; Sadro, Steven; Sánchez, María Laura; Smyth, Robyn L.; Sweetman, Jon N.
• Año de publicación: 2022
• Idioma: inglés
• Tipo de recurso: artículo
• Materia: Ponds; Shallow lakes; Wetlands; Definition
• Institución: Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas

Ponds are often identified by their small size and shallow depths, but the lack of a universal evidence-based definition hampers science and weakens legal protection. Here, we compile existing pond definitions, compare ecosystem metrics (e.g., metabolism, nutrient concentrations, and gas fluxes) among ponds, wetlands, and lakes, and propose an evidence-based pond definition. Compiled definitions often mentioned surface area and depth, but were largely qualitative and variable. Government legislation rarely defined ponds, despite commonly using the term. Ponds, as defined in published studies, varied in origin and hydroperiod and were often distinct from lakes and wetlands in water chemistry. We also compared how ecosystem metrics related to three variables often seen in waterbody definitions: waterbody size, maximum depth, and emergent vegetation cover. Most ecosystem metrics (e.g., water chemistry, gas fluxes, and metabolism) exhibited nonlinear relationships with these variables, with average threshold changes at 3.7 ± 1.8 ha (median: 1.5 ha) in surface area, 5.8 ± 2.5 m (median: 5.2 m) in depth, and 13.4 ± 6.3% (median: 8.2%) emergent vegetation cover. We use this evidence and prior definitions to define ponds as waterbodies that are small (< 5 ha), shallow (< 5 m), with < 30% emergent vegetation and we highlight areas for further study near these boundaries. This definition will inform the science, policy, and management of globally abundant and ecologically significant pond ecosystems.
Fil: Richardson, David C.. State University of New York at New Paltz; Estados Unidos
Fil: Holgerson, Meredith A.. Cornell University; Estados Unidos
Fil: Farragher, Matthew J.. University of Maine; Estados Unidos
Fil: Hoffman, Kathryn K.. No especifíca;
Fil: King, Katelyn B. S.. Michigan State University; Estados Unidos
Fil: Alfonso, María Belén. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía; Argentina
Fil: Andersen, Mikkel R.. No especifíca;
Fil: Cheruveil, Kendra Spence. Michigan State University; Estados Unidos
Fil: Coleman, Kristen A.. University of York; Reino Unido
Fil: Farruggia, Mary Jade. University of California at Davis; Estados Unidos
Fil: Fernandez, Rocio Luz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina
Fil: Hondula, Kelly L.. No especifíca;
Fil: López Moreira Mazacotte, Gregorio A.. Leibniz - Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries; Alemania
Fil: Paul, Katherine. No especifíca;
Fil: Peierls, Benjamin L.. No especifíca;
Fil: Rabaey, Joseph S.. University of Minnesota; Estados Unidos
Fil: Sadro, Steven. University of California at Davis; Estados Unidos
Fil: Sánchez, María Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires; Argentina
Fil: Smyth, Robyn L.. No especifíca;
Fil: Sweetman, Jon N.. State University of Pennsylvania; Estados Unidos