One of the key innovations of PONDERFUL is the CLIMA-pond concept and protocol. Alfred Figueras Anton and Dr Lars Briggs (both of AMPHI Consult in Denmark) explain how the concept could help people worldwide harness the power of ponds as a nature-based solution for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
How did CLIMA-ponds come about and what was the original thinking behind the concept?
The idea of developing the CLIMA-Pond concept originated at the beginning of the PONDERFUL project. The goal was to conceptualise and create a marketable product based on specific conditions enabling ponds to store carbon, emit lower greenhouse gases than average, and simultaneously provide additional climate adaptation functions, such as water storage.
What specific challenges are CLIMA-ponds designed to address as we adapt to climate change?
CLIMA-Ponds are designed to tackle challenges related to climate change adaptation, mitigation, and biodiversity conservation, while also benefiting local communities. Specific challenges include water retention during storm events and droughts, enhancing water quality and availability at the landscape level, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ponds.
How did the AMPHI team use its background in pond creation to develop the CLIMA-pond design?
With over 30 years of practical experience in creating ponds and restoring small freshwaters, AMPHI combined this expertise with the latest scientific findings from the PONDERFUL project. Additionally, state-of-the-art best practices for pond creation, restoration, and management were compiled into “design briefs,” which guided the development of the CLIMA-Pond concept.
How did you approach the research for CLIMA-ponds?
The CLIMA-Pond concept was enriched by four years of research under the PONDERFUL project. Most of the key findings emerged during the final year, enabling the refinement of CLIMA-Pond designs and the development of standardized parameters that define what constitutes a CLIMA-Pond.
You have come up with three main designs: urban, rural and nature ponds. Why did you take this approach?
We created three types of CLIMA-Ponds to address the varying conditions found in different locations. Drawing on AMPHI’s experience in natural habitats, agricultural landscapes, and urban environments, we developed:
- Nature CLIMA-Pond: Focused on providing clean water for breeding protected amphibian species while contributing to climate change mitigation.
- Rural CLIMA-Pond: Integrated natural pond characteristics into agricultural landscapes, incorporating features such as drawdown zones, buffer zones, and pre-ponds with macrophytes and helophytes to retain nutrients and improve water quality.
- Urban CLIMA-Pond: Adapted to urban settings, using clean water sources like rainwater from roofs. These ponds may include cleaning and inlet modules to prevent stormwater flushing and were designed to help mitigate urban heat islands.
What makes a CLIMA-pond different from any other pond?
CLIMA-Pond is per se a Nature-based solution, with four main pillars: Good water quality, Water storage (Climate adaptation), Low emission of greenhouse gases (Climate mitigation) and Abundant and diverse flora and fauna (Biodiversity conservation).
What are the key design features of a CLIMA-pond and how could these help us tackle climate change?
The most critical feature is maintaining good water quality by ensuring clean water sources and incorporating design elements like pond buffers and pre-ponds in areas impacted by nutrients or pollution. Additional features, such as varied depths, large drawdown zones, macrophyte diversity, and partial sun exposure, help sustain water quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
What were the main challenges you faced when developing the CLIMA-ponds designs and how did you overcome them?
The primary challenge was reaching a consensus on the conditions required for a pond to qualify as a CLIMA-Pond. Since ponds are highly site-specific in terms of biodiversity and climate benefits, standardising a concept applicable to diverse situations and geographical contexts was challenging. Collaborative discussions and detailed criteria development helped address this.
How did you deal with geographical and cultural differences when approaching the design for an international market?
We addressed geographical diversity by defining minimum requirements for CLIMA-Ponds based on the concept’s four main pillars. Standardised values for certain parameters, such as water quality or habitat features, were adapted to regional contexts, including Northern, Central, and Southern Europe. For international markets, some parameters remain universal, while others are tailored to local conditions to ensure relevance and recognition.
What is your vision for CLIMA-ponds in the future?
Our vision is for CLIMA-Ponds to become a best practice standard for low-emission ponds. We aim for pondscapes to be evaluated using this framework, enabling ponds to serve as tools for biodiversity conservation and climate action by a wide range of stakeholders.