How do ponds change over time?

Ponds undergo changes over time through a process known as succession. Initially, they may be filled with water and host a variety of aquatic life. Over time, sediment accumulation and the growth of plants can lead to the gradual filling in of the pond, transforming it into a marsh or wetland. Eventually, with continued sedimentation and plant growth, the area may become a terrestrial ecosystem, like a meadow or forest.