Freshwater Habitats
Ponds, lakes, reed beds and flood ditches in the Lancing area
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Freshwater sites
Lancing Ring Dewpond
Type: Dewpond — chalk downland
Dewponds are shallow, clay-lined
ponds traditionally used to water livestock on the chalk
downs. They collect rainwater and dew and support a
distinctive community of aquatic plants and invertebrates.
Brooklands Pleasure Grounds
Type: Freshwater lake
Cokeham Reed Beds
Type: Freshwater ditches
Duckweed (Lemna sp.)
blanketing the surface of the drainage ditch. Dense
duckweed growth can indicate nutrient enrichment from
surrounding farmland, but the ditches remain important
habitat for invertebrates, amphibians and reed-nesting
birds.
Adur Levels
Type: Freshwater flood plain ditches
Adur river flood ditches
Type: Freshwater flood plain
Withy Patch
Type: Downland spring flood
Seasonal flooding caused by a
downland spring. This area has since been redeveloped and
the run-off from the hill diverted, removing what was a
temporary but wildlife-rich wet habitat.