Having a backyard pond and water garden is not just a great way to add a splash of color to your backyard. It can also help you improve your health.
Increased diversity of aquatic life
Creating a garden pond can lead to a complete ecosystem of fish and plants. It also can attract a variety of birds. It is a good way to learn about the local biodiversity, while providing a place for relaxation.
Many aquatic plants absorb pollutants and enhance water quality. Several terrestrial species also depend on ponds for food. Bats, insects, and small mammals may also benefit from pond resources.
Ponds are often considered to be a hotspot for biodiversity. In recent decades, the amount of pond biodiversity has increased. However, many ponds are threatened by anthropogenic activities. Infilling, habitat loss, and pollution are just a few of the factors that could lead to the decline of pond biodiversity.
Many ponds serve as important refuges in heavily modified landscapes. They also act as energy transfer points between aquatic and terrestrial organisms. They also provide flood alleviation and support pollinators. They act as an “intermediate between land and sky.”
However, these habitats can be negatively impacted by climate change, pollution, and land-use change. Ponds may have potential to reduce climate change by providing carbon sequestration in deeper areas. They are also important refuges for rare aquatic taxa.
Although ponds may contribute to climate mitigation, they are not well understood. Many urban ponds are designed to hold stormwater runoff. In turn, stormwater runoff can cause pollution. This pollution can also affect aquatic macroinvertebrates. It is important to control wastewater discharge to prevent biodiversity loss.
Ponds can also be important for raising public awareness about biodiversity. This is possible through educational programs and incentive programs. Several types of frogs and frog species are also attracted to ponds. They also provide an attractive habitat for small mammals. Creating a garden pond can be a good way to learn about your local biodiversity while providing a place for relaxation.
Several pond species have adaptive strategies. In addition, some invertebrates can survive in disturbed environments.
The benefits of backyard ponds and water gardens are numerous. They not only support a variety of aquatic life, but they can also be used for relaxation and exercise. They are also an important source of flood alleviation and water purification.
Promote mental health, wellness, and relaxation
Having a backyard pond and water garden can be an excellent way to improve your mental health, wellness, and relaxation. This is because these areas are home to many natural elements that boost wellbeing. Some of these features include natural stone, flowers, scented plants, and insects. In fact, a recent study found that city dwellers exhibit a more pronounced brain response to stress than those in the country’s countryside.
These results are particularly relevant in the U.S. where many residents suffer from stress-related illnesses. This is largely due to the fact that urban areas are dotted with many signs of nature, but they can be hard to find in a big city.
A recent meta-analysis of nature-based social prescribing, which gathered data from four RCTs, found that nature-based interventions had a significant positive impact on mental health outcomes. However, there were some limitations. Most studies surveyed were not large enough to determine the effect size, and few used a high quality sample size.
Among the many studies, only one included a meta-analysis, which included 76 comparisons of 22 different gardening studies. Of these, six studies showed that a gardening intervention had a positive effect on depression, while the other thirteen studies found no such thing.
In the realm of gardening, the biggest question is whether an intervention will have a positive impact. A recent study looked at the effect of a 12-week gardening intervention on symptoms of stress-related illnesses among individuals with SMI, and found that the intervention was not a cure-all. However, it did offer some hope that these individuals could improve their overall mental health.
In addition to the large-scale interventions, it was also found that inactive exposure to nature can produce some of the same health benefits. In particular, listening to birdsong, drinking from a pond, and walking on a green trail may all have the same effect.
The best thing about nature-based interventions is that they can be used with minimal cost and little to no upfront effort. For instance, a water garden can be an ideal addition to your garden, allowing you to reap the benefits without having to deal with the maintenance.
Create a summer evening
Having a backyard pond can add a focal point to your landscaping. There are several ways you can add a pond to your backyard. You can choose a shallow pond or a pond that is deeper. It is important to choose a pond that will receive morning and afternoon sunlight. The morning sunlight will give your water a cooler temperature and help keep algae from growing. The afternoon sun can overheat the water and hurt your plants.
If your pond is in a sunny location, you may want to consider adding a shade cover. Plants that thrive in shade will be more expensive, but you will also have fewer easy-care options. You can also add large landscaping rocks along the pond edge. The rocks can be made from concrete or gravel mixed with stones.
A backyard pond can be a focal point in your garden, and you can add a variety of plant species. In addition to the aquatic plants, you can also add trees and flowering shrubs to the edges of your pond. These can add color and help you keep the pond to scale.
A backyard pond can be calming, especially during the summer. The gentle flow of water keeps the surface moving and the sound of the water splashing is soothing to the ears. Having water in the garden can also attract wildlife. Some people install a backyard pond in order to attract wildlife. Having a backyard pond can also add a tranquil nighttime element to your backyard.
A backyard pond can also be a great place to entertain. It can be a relaxing and peaceful space to have a drink with your family and friends. If your pond is farther than 20 feet from your patio, you may not hear the water features. You can also add a few stepping stones or an interesting moss bed to your garden. The pond can also be a great place for raising fish. It is important to keep the water temperature balanced so your fish can survive cold winters. The water can also be tested on a regular basis.
