Freshwater invertebrates and environmental characteristics of ponds in Vendée wetlands, France

The second group of ponds had moderate slopes, high sand content in the sediment and a rich abundance of microcrustacea. The third group contained shallow ponds with soft slopes and a high aquatic vegetation cover (100%), which result in high FIZ diversity. Finally, the fourth group contained ponds with steep slopes, high silt content in the sediment, and Oligochaeta as the major taxon in this environment.

Defining pond typologies based on environmental factors and FIZ is essential to adapting FIZ management and conservation measures implemented on ponds. In a context of global change, a reduction or even disappearance of FIZ communities would have a catastrophic impact on all faunal taxa dependent on FIZ as a food resource.