PLOCH: a standardized method for sampling and assessing the biodiversity in ponds

1. As ponds are now recognized as freshwater habitats clearly distinct from lakes and running waters, there is a need for standardized tools for assessing their ecological integrity and status, and particularly their biodiversity. 2. A standardized method was developed for sampling and assessing the species richness of ponds. Experiences accumulated in previous studies, together with data gathered from 80 Swiss ponds, provided the basis of the proposed method. 3. Five taxonomic groups were chosen as complementary representatives of pond inhabitants: aquatic plants, aquatic Gastropoda, aquatic Coleoptera, adult Odonata and Amphibia. 4. To sample aquatic flora, quadrats are located along transects perpendicular to the longest axis of the pond. The number of quadrats is calculated from a relationship with pond area. A nonparametric estimator (Jackknife-1) is used to estimate the true species richness from the observed richness. 5. Aquatic invertebrates (Gastropoda, Coleoptera) are collected with a hand net. Sampling is stratified within the dominant habitats. The number of samples is calculated from a relationship with pond area. As with the vegetation, the Jackknife-1 estimator is used to estimate the true species richness. 6. The species richness of adult Odonata is assessed using a standardized field survey method combining observations from early and late summer. The species richness is corrected with an abundance-based estimator (Chao1). The species richness of Amphibia is obtained from an exhaustive inventory. 7. For the assessment of biodiversity, species richness values derived from measurements are compared to values predicted for conditions that enable a high species richness. Generalized Additive Models are used to predict species richness from environmental predictors characterizing the pond. The ratio of measured richness to predicted richness allows the allocation of a quality status to each pond. Results are divided into five biological quality classes, as recommended in the EC Water Framework Directive (WFD). Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.