Agriculture intensification is one of the biggest drivers of biodiversity losses globally, impacting both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. In the UK, agriculture covers ~ 70% of the land surface and has resulted in the loss and homogenisation of natural habitats. This is particularly evident for ponds, with estimates suggesting 33% of ponds have been lost between 1880-2000. Despite pond losses, they are one the most biodiverse aquatic habitats at a landscape scale but have limited or no statutory protection. The Agri-Environment Scheme (AES) was established to provide financial payments to farmers to encourage sustainable farming methods, promote biodiversity, and conserve unique habitats. One of the options available to landowners is the creation and/or restoration of ponds including sediment detention ponds to retain soil loss from agricultural land that would otherwise be transported and potentially deposited in lotic systems. However, little is known regarding the wider role these ponds could play in supporting biodiversity. This talk considers the biodiversity and conservation value of sediment ponds compared to other agricultural pond types in the landscape (alpha, beta and gamma) and will highlight the hidden ecological benefits of sediment ponds.