Thornhill, I., Ledger, M., Batty, L., Friberg, N.  Local and landscape scale influences on the water quality and biodiversity of urban ponds.  Freshwater Biological Association, University of Glasgow, UK, July 2012

Abstract:
Leaf breakdown experiments are commonly used to assess ecosystem function in streams, but rarely in stillwaters. We tested ecosystem function in urban ponds within the Birmingham conurbation against a gradient of land use. Microbial activity drives leaf breakdown in urban ponds, particularly where shredder abundances are impacted.

(Slides)