Small, shallow waterbodies (example to the left) are among the most productive freshwater ecosystems on the planet! In a new publication that comes from a long-running Global Lake Ecological Observatory Network (GLEON) collaboration called PONDING (Pond Observation aNd Discovery in GLEON) led by Dr. Joe Rabaey, Dr. Meredith Holgerson, and me along with a great group of international collaborators. We examined ecosystem metabolism in 26 shallow waterbodies in N. America and Europe. The shallowest waterbodies had the highest GPP, R, and most variable NEP compared to other freshwater ecosystems (see Figure 5 from the paper below). Our study provides more evidence that ponds are truly biogeochemical hotspots!
Here is a link to the full manuscript here: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1029/2023GL106689
That’s fascinating! It’s amazing how productive these seemingly simple ecosystems can be. The variability in NEP is particularly interesting. It makes me think about how subtle changes in the environment could dramatically impact these hotspots. I wonder if anyone’s explored modeling these dynamics, perhaps even turning it into a game? Something like Drift Hunters, but with pond ecosystems instead of cars – managing inputs to maximize productivity!
As someone who’s worked with small ponds for field research, I can totally back this—those shallow systems are incredibly dynamic and often underestimated. Their productivity is wild, especially during peak summer. Honestly, it’s like the fnfgo of ecosystems—looks simple, but it’s full of unexpected energy and complexity once you dive in.
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