More than 500 people gathered for the International Pond Conference: ponds for biodiversity, climate and people, on 12th and 13th November 2024. Co-hosted by PONDERFUL and the European Pond Conservation Network (EPCN), the virtual event attracted freshwater scientists, policymakers and practitioners from around the world.
The conference was officially opened by PONDERFUL co-ordinator Professor Sandra Brucet, EPCN representative Professor Sandro Lanfranco and Piret Noukas from the European Commission.
With nearly 100 presentations from a global panel and 25 posters, the conference featured keynote speakers from leading institutions. Highlighting the need for more research on ponds, Dr Meredith Holgerson from Cornell University provided an overview of carbon cycling in ponds, including the importance of ponds for global greenhouse gas emissions and carbon storage. Dr Hannah Druckenmiller from Caltech discussed the potential for using machine learning to better manage water resources and introduced a new tool for mapping waterbodies, including ponds. Describing ponds as ‘battery packs for nature restoration’, Dr Pete Brotherton from Natural England discussed the integration of pond conservation in environmental policies. Underlining the fact that small habitat patches, including ponds, contribute more to biodiversity than large patches, Professor Lenore Fahrig of Carleton University explained how pondscapes can enhance biodiversity at a landscape scale.
The event showcased some of the key results from the Horizon 2020 PONDERFUL project. The project’s findings, presented by members of the consortium, highlighted how ponds act as nature-based solutions for climate adaptation, including their capacity for carbon storage and contributions to biodiversity conservation. PONDERFUL partners also shared innovative tools for pond management, such as remote sensing technologies, predictive models and interactive decision tools, which have been explored in the project and are helping shape policies and practical applications.
The International Pond Conference was organised during the 20th anniversary year of the EPCN. Freshwater Habitats Trust CEO and EPCN co-founder Professor Jeremy Biggs delivered a special session celebrating the network’s achievements in forging international collaborations and raising awareness of the importance of ponds. Professor Biggs also officially closed the conference, thanking speakers and attendees and reflecting on the event’s significance.
PONDERFUL Coordinator, ICREA Research Professor Sandra Brucet of University of Vic – Central University of Catalonia said: “We were thrilled that more than 500 people attended this conference, which was a major event for freshwaters and for ponds in particular”.
“Our speakers shared the latest evidence and innovative approaches for harnessing the potential of ponds to help us adapt to our changing climate – including many of the PONDERFUL project outputs”.
“Although the EU Horizon 2020 PONDERFUL project is coming to an end, in many ways, it feels like the beginning of something much larger. The conference helped to cement many of the international partnerships established through the EPCN and PONDERFUL. Together, we’ll keep sharing knowledge, exchanging ideas, and advocating for greater recognition of ponds and pondscapes”.
Professor Sandro Lanfranco of the EPCN said: “The EPCN was honoured to co-host the International Pond Conference. This milestone event underscored the vital importance of ponds for biodiversity, climate resilience, and water management”.
“As the EPCN celebrates 20 years of dedicated work in the conservation of ponds and small water bodies across Europe, our vision is to continue building upon these successes and to remain an active and pioneering network for pond conservation. Together, we can ensure that the next 20 years of EPCN are as impactful as the last”.
View the conference programme and the poster gallery.
For more information on the EPCN or to get involved, please contact [email protected].