Policy makers and practitioners around the world can now access free guidance on how to harness the power of ponds and pondscapes as nature-based solutions. Two major new publications, developed through PONDERFUL, bring together the latest knowledge and practical advice on restoring and creating these habitats for the benefit of biodiversity, people and climate.
Ponds and Pondscapes: A technical guide to the use of ponds and pondscapes as nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation is a 130-page technical handbook. Featuring infographics and photographs, it is aimed at anyone planning, designing and implementing practical projects that use ponds and pondscapes as nature-based solutions.
Bringing together expertise from across the PONDERFUL consortium and new research findings from the project, it includes practical guidance on managing, restoring and creating ponds. It features the three new CLIMA-Pond designs, guidance on funding a pond project, and ‘success stories’ from across Europe and South America, which demonstrate how ponds and pondscapes are helping to solve societal challenges.
The book was shaped by stakeholders who provided feedback at PONDERFUL workshops in autumn and winter 2023-24.
Policy makers and legislators can also access a new policy guidance document: Using ponds and pondscapes as nature-based solutions: Guidance for policy makers on the use of ponds and pondscapes as nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation. Complementing the technical handbook, this document provides policy makers with an international overview of how ponds and pondscapes are protected under current legislation. It also sets out guidance on how to create a national plan for ponds.
The publications were launched at a technical webinar on 8th November, at which Professor Jeremy Biggs, CEO of Freshwater Habitats Trust and Hugh McDonald of Ecologic Institute shared their knowledge of policies affecting ponds and pondscapes and presented a vision for national plans for ponds.
Professor Jeremy Biggs, said: “Together, these two documents provide the latest guidance on restoring, managing and creating ponds and pondscapes, based on new evidence from PONDERFUL. The project has generated exciting results demonstrating how these small waterbodies could help us adapt to climate change.
“These two documents present the reader with practical solutions based on that new knowledge, helping ensure that what we have learned through PONDERFUL will deliver real benefits for society and the environment over many years to come.”
The documents are available to download in several languages here on the PONDERFUL website.