1. A substantial body of research has assessed the relative importance of local and regional factors shaping ecological communities, often using lakes and ponds as model systems. However, little is known about how habitat age can help to explain current community structure. The present study investigates the effect of pond age on zooplankton community composition and diversity in farmland ponds. 2. We used a dataset of > 100 morphologically similar farmland ponds of different ages (recent: 3 years; older: 4–15 years, and old: > 15 years) to analyse the extent to which the diversity and composition of current water flea assemblages (Crustacea; Anomopoda) reflect variation in pond age. 3. Young ponds had lower local species richness than old ponds and their communities were nested within those in ecologically similar old ponds. The presence of macrophytes enhanced local richness by promoting the establishment of additional species, while the presence of fish resulted in community turnover and lower local species richness compared to old ponds without fish. 4. Our results demonstrate that pond age is an important factor determining cladoceran species richness and community composition. Newly created ponds are rapidly colonised by regionally common species, while the colonisation by regionally rare species was more restricted. In older ponds, effective species sorting occurred in response to changes in local environmental conditions associated with the establishment of macrophytes and fish. 5. These findings highlight the need for longer time perspectives in colonisation studies to understand patterns of community succession in newly created habitats.
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RBINS Staff Publications 2025
