Pond dipping

How to pond dip

Some creatures may be scared off by your dipping, so spend some time looking into the water first. Put some clean pond water in a pot or tray. Sweep with your net firmly and quickly, in straight lines, through the water, plants and top layer of mud. Very carefully put the creatures in clean water by emptying your net into it or gently lifting them out with a plastic spoon. Don't hold any of the creatures with your fingers - in case you hurt them or they hurt you - and make sure you always keep them in water.

Biological diversity

The biological diversity of a pond simply means all the different types of animals and plants living there. A typical pond is home to an amazing variety of animals and plants.

• Plant identification guide
• Animal identification guide
• Dragonflies and damselflies
• Amphibian fact file
• Insect quiz
• Biodiversity

Food cycles

The plants and animals of a pond are all connected in a complex food web. This means that they all depend on each other - if any species is added, removed or affected in any way there will be an effect on all others.

Plants are able to make basic foodstuffs from water and carbon dioxide, using energy from the sun, in the process called photosynthesis. They provide food for the plant-eating animals (herbivores). These are in turn consumed by meat-eating animals (carnivores). Completing the cycle are those that feed on waste and dead material (scavengers and detritivores).

Some animals eat a bit of everything (plant, animal and sometimes dead material), we call these omnivores.

• What eats what

Larva or nymph?

We call the young one of an insect a larva if its species goes through complete metamorphosis (egg to larva to pupa to adult) - e.g. butterflies, beetles or flies. We call it a nymph if its species has an incomplete metamorphosis (egg to nymph to adult, with no pupa) - e.g. bugs, dragonflies or mayflies.

• Cycles of life

Learning more

Ponds are fascinating places, there is so much to learn about them.

• Cornwall Biodiversity Initiative Pond Educational Resource Pack
• Activities

Don't forget to check out our diary for pond-dipping events in Cornwall especially for children.

Fun learning .. Introduction Resources Seaquest for Kid's Free pictures Activities Pond Pack Postbag Diary Fox Club Volunteers Kids stuff Publications Tap Routes SEARCH . . . . . . . . .

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