Improve water quality

Integrated valuation of a nature-based solution for water pollution control. Highlighting hidden benefits

This study assesses the benefits of a multi-purpose nature-based solution for water pollution control in a peri-urban area located in Gorla Maggiore (northern Italy), using an ecosystem service approach and applying an integrated valuation based on MCA for local water management. This solution is compared with the alternative “doing nothing” and with the construction of conventional grey infrastructure. This case study gives an example of integrating different value systems and stakeholders' viewpoints, thus providing hands-on guidance for integrated valuation in ecosystem service...

Bog restoration near the Menuires ski resort

Tourbière du Plan de l'Eau, Torrent overflow in the wetland, July 2022 © CDC Biodiversité

For adapting to climate change : improve the management of frequent floods and sediment transport for the bog.
For biodiversity : restore the ecological and hydrological functions of the bog and conserve typical wetland biodiversity
For the local area : maintain environment-friendly summer and winter tourist activity.

H2020 PONDERFUL: a technical handbook on pond and pondscape restoration, management and creation

Despite their critical importance for biodiversity and significant potential as nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation, ponds and pondscapes have traditionally been undervalued and overlooked.

The Horizon2020 PONDERFUL project brought together an international consortium to investigate the potential of these small habitats as nature-based solutions. This new knowledge, along with existing expertise from the PONDERFUL partners, has been brought together into a new technical handbook.

Ponds and Pondscapes: A technical guide to the use of ponds...

H2020 PONDERFUL: new policy maker guidance on ponds and pondscapes as nature-based solutions

Despite their critical importance for biodiversity and potential as nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation and mitigation, ponds and pondscapes are not well represented in policy. Most freshwater legislation is biased towards rivers, with ponds largely being ignored.

The Horizon 2020 PONDERFUL project has revealed more about the importance of ponds for wildlife and people and, to make this accessible to policy makers, the partnership produced a policy guidance document: sing ponds and pondscapes as nature-based solutions: Guidance for policy makers on the...

H2020 PONDERFUL: The Lake Mogan Pondscape

The Lake Mogan Pondscape aims to conserve biodiversity, improve water management, and provide recreational spaces. It also plays a critical role in flood mitigation, provides nature’s contributions to people such as habitat provision and water quality regulation.

H2020 PONDERFUL: The Gölbaşı Düzlüğü Pondscape

This pondscape plays a critical role in flood mitigation, water management, and biodiversity conservation in the Gölbaşı region. It supports urban and peri-urban ecosystems, enhances water quality, and provides recreational spaces, offering significant environmental and social benefits.

H2020 PONDERFUL: The Imrahor River Valley Pondscape

This pondscape plays a key role in flood mitigation and water management in Ankara, supporting biodiversity despite urbanization. It provides crucial ecosystem services like habitat provision and water regulation, while offering recreational spaces for the public, benefiting both urban and rural areas.

H2020 PONDERFUL: The “Fyn” NBS: A Pondscape for Biodiversity, and People

This pondscape covers Ærø, Avernakø, and Birkholm islands, with over 60 ponds on mostly agricultural land. NBS aims to enhance biodiversity (e.g. amphibians, birds) and promote recreation (e.g. biking, hiking) while encouraging eco-friendly farming and buffer zones around ponds to reduce pollution.

H2020 PONDERFUL: Pinkhill Meadow NBS: a small but highly valuable floodplain pondscape for biodiversity

One of the many ponds in the Pinkhill Meadow complex

This pondscape of newly created ponds is located in a floodplain meadow on Thames Water's Farmoor Reservoir property, on the banks of the River Thames, near Oxford. It was designed by Freshwater Habitats Trust to maximise freshwater biodiversity and has been closely monitored as a partnership since its creation in 1990.

The results show the exceptional value of the site for wetland plants, aquatic invertebrates, mammals, reptiles and birds, maintained over 35 years.

“ H2020 PONDERFUL: Water Friendly Farming NBS: a pondscape for biodiversity and multiple ecosystem services

New clean water ponds that provide a significant biodiversity gain in this agricultural landscape

This pondscape is located in a farmland near Leicester. All waterbodies in three upper catchments have been monitored since 2010. The results show an underlying landscape-wide decline in freshwater plant biodiversity of 0.5-1% pa. However doubling the number of clean-water ponds turned the decline around: producing a steep increase in richness and tripled the number of uncommon species.

Improve water quality

Pages