Garden ponds 'can help preserve habitats'

Digging garden ponds can be one way individuals can help preserve a natural habitat.

Creating and preserving natural habitats can be aided by digging new garden ponds, an expert has said.

Speaking to the Malvern Gazette, a spokesperson for the Three Counties Showground, Sharon Gilbert, said that much can be done on a small scale in order to help promote biodiversity.

"Gardening is one area where the general public can do its bit to preserve and create habitats, plant native species, compost waste, garden organically and dig ponds," she said.

While such projects may be small in scale, they can all help to contribute to the global effort, she said.

Garden ponds can help to attract a variety of animals to an outdoor space. Birds may come to use the water, so people building new ponds should remember to include some shallow, sloping sides for easy access.

A variety of other animals can also be attracted to gardens with water features. People with ponds may notice everything from small insects up to larger amphibians including frogs and toads.

Posted by Christopher Neil
 
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Sunday, 16 Jan 2011, 12:08pm