Old industrial mill ponds: a neglected ecological resource

The extent and status of the old industrial textile mill ponds within the a rea around Huddersfield, UK, is examined in relation to planning and develo pment pressures and conservation value. The aquatic macroinvertebrate biodi versity is assessed and the sites classified on the basis of the community present. Many ponds have been redeveloped and lost as a result of the decli ne of the textile industry. However, some have become important habitats fo r aquatic organisms and may form a refuge in the urban environment. There i s little environmental monitoring of mill ponds and their ecology and littl e protection from development processes is provided by either central or lo cal government. The dearth of information regarding old industrial mill pon ds and the need for a comprehensive survey of the entire pond resource is h ighlighted at a time when there is increasing pressure to redevelop old ind ustrial sites. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.