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Ponds are constantly changing. Each year dead plants and animals
slowly build up and this changes how the pond behaves, which has
an impact on the species which can be expected to thrive...
Some species are extremely specific about the ponds in which
they can grow, and this can affect their distribution. In some
cases species can become extinct if certain ponds do not remain
in the landscape.
Second Life for Ponds will investigate how wildlife reacts to
pond restoration and pond creation efforts. The project will
contribute to our national understanding of ponds and wetlands,
and how species react to human activities relating to pond
management.
This breakthrough project (funded by SITA) is being carried out
at Hampton Nature Reserve, Peterborough.
The project began in
October 2008 and at its completion in 2010 will deliver three
specific objectives:
To restore selected ponds using
the most suitable techniques.
To evaluate different techniques
of pond restoration by comparing their effectiveness and any
side-effects for non-target fauna and flora.
To effectively disseminate the
results and encourage land managers to use proved techniques on
their sites.
Bearded Stonewort Chara canescens and other stoneworts
have been chosen as indicator species for the project. This is
because most of the species within this group favour initial
stages of pond succession (up to a maximum of 15-25 years). The
success of pond restoration will be judged against population
studies of other species including water beetles, newts, water
voles and birds, such as reed bunting.
Find
out about the innovative techniques involved.
>>>For further details:
Conservation Officer Paul Furnborough:
paul.furnborough@froglife.org or
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