Agricultural ponds as alternative habitat for waterbirds: spatial and temporal patterns of abundance and management strategies.

The article discusses a study on the role of agricultural ponds in the abundance and diversity of breeding and wintering waterbirds between 2002 and 2007 in the Vega Baja Valley, Southeast Spain. There were no significant differences in abundance in the breeding season. The possibility that the migration processes are related to the seasonal variations at the irrigation ponds waterbird community is mentioned. Abundance was negatively affected by distance to the nearest wetland. Also noted is the role of pond size in the presence of waterbirds.