The World Biodiversity Forum, an hybrid event held in the Swiss town of Davos, brought together a global consortium of researchers and practitioners across all disciplines of biodiversity science.
Jeremy Biggs, CEO of PONDERFUL partner Freshwater Habitats Trust in the UK, gave a presentation on the importance of small water bodies to freshwater conservation. Sharing the latest evidence, he discussed the issue of ponds and other small waters not being adequately recognised in conservation and water policy.
Tobias Salathé, Ramsar Convention Senior Advisor for Europe, gave a talk entitled ‘Policy goals for the protection and management of small waters and wetlands: the RAMSAR international wetlands convention perspective.‘
The event also included a session chaired by representatives from PONDERFUL partners University of Vic, Spain, and Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Germany, on the often overlooked connection between terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. While these habitats have traditionally been studied in isolation, research shows that many organisms cross these boundaries.
Jeremy said: “Recent studies have highlighted the importance of ponds for freshwater biodiversity but these small water bodies are largely neglected in water-related policy frameworks.
“Speaking at the World Biodiversity Forum was a great opportunity to highlight this gap between evidence and policy and to share some of the work of the PONDERFUL partnership with a global audience.”
Under the theme ‘Inspiration for Action’, the second World Biodiversity Forum ran from 26 June to 1 July 2022.