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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . second edition • Nebraska Pond Management • 45 adjacent to ponds become important habitat that provide both. Cover is needed for nesting or denning, escape from predators, and shelter from harsh weather. The lack of any of these may limit populations. This cover can also improve water quality and lengthen the life expectancy of a pond by entrapping sediment from erosion on land surrounding the pond. In open rangeland and small pastures, fencing should be used to protect at least a 100-foot wide grassed buffer around the pond. A strip of this width provides excellent habitat, particularly for small mammals and ground- nesting birds, and makes it more difficult for predators to locate prey. If the pond is to be located in or near cropland or over-grazed pasture, a mixture of native grass and legumes, such as alfalfa and clover, should be planted within the 100-foot wide fenced buffer. Depending on the amount of land available, trees and shrubs can also be considered. Establishing windbreaks near the south and west sides of the pond will provide cover for a variety of wildlife and help to reduce wave action and turbidity. These various plantings will provide winter and escape cover, food production, and nesting areas for wildlife. The grassed buffer areas need to be periodically manipulated to produce a wide diversity of grasses and broadleaf plants, also known as forbs, that can be utilized as food and cover for the various kinds of wildlife desired. Wildlife utilization of a habitat can then be increased by maintaining a stage of plant succession. Since vegetation cannot be held at a particular stage for any great length of time, it becomes necessary to set back succession and allow the process to start over; thus, recycling the most beneficial successional stages. This can be accomplished by controlled burning, mowing, lightly discing and interseeding with legumes or forbs, grazing, or even careful use of chemicals. These practices, when done correctly, do not destroy the grass, but improve plant diversity and maintain vigorous growth within the stand, yielding greater wildlife benefits and diversity. Other wildlife requirements can also be met if there is a need to plant additional trees and shrubs. Contact your area Commission wildlife biologist or the NRCS about habitat planning and periodic manipulation. Waterfowl Production Most pond owners enjoy seeing waterfowl use their ponds and most ponds can be It is necessary to periodically set back plant succession to yield greater wildlife benefits and diversity. Fenced Buffer Around Pond Fenced Buffer Around Pond A pond is a community of many living organisms, with most of them depending on each other for survival. A pond forms a connecting link between the aquatic and terrestrial worlds.