This investigation aims to assess the freshwater invertebrate biodiversity within 7 former gravel pits at the Attenborough Nature Reserve and if possible account for any differences. Each pond was sampled at 20 sites (only 10 samples for delta pond) with the aim to cover the greatest area of the pond as possible within the area allowed for sampling. Invertebrate sampling was done using the sweep-net method and the water pH, temperature, total dissolved solids (TDS), and succession were also recorded. Results showed wide ranging diversity values (Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index) from 0.75 in Clifton pond to 1.47 in church pond. Using the Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient the pond conditions (ph, temp, TDS, succession, age) were compared to the diversity to assess the strength of any relationship. Statistically only the temperature has had a strong effect on the diversity [r = -.25, n = 130, p = <.01], but result do indicate weaker relationships with other factors such as age [r = .17, n = 130, p = <.05]. Due to the number of possible factors that affect the result no definite conclusions can be made. More research into the different aspects is needed before a conclusion of cause and effect can be made.
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