Environment Agency
works to replace a century of lost ponds
Some of Britain’s most oddly named and endangered
species are slowly returning to the countryside
thanks to Environment Agency efforts to
create new ponds.
The Toothed Threadwort,
Tadpole Shrimp and One-grooved Diving Beetle
may sound like they belong in a cauldron,
but they are in fact just some of the 80
protected or endangered species that rely
on freshwater ponds for their survival.
Over the past century
over half of Britain’s ponds have disappeared,
from over one million at the start of the
20th century to less than 500,000 today.
As a consequence rare species of amphibians,
water snails, aquatic insects and plants
are in danger of dying out.
As part of an ambitious
project to begin replacing all 500,000 of
Britain’s lost ponds, the Environment Agency
has this year created 184 ponds and restored
a further 50 that were in poor condition.
These newly-created ponds have become home
to rare species such as Water Vole, Great
Crested Newt and Natterjack Toad and the
Environment Agency hopes that many more
rare species will return as more ponds are
created.
The environmental regulator
has pledged to continue the creation of
ponds each year, even in difficult financial
times, through its flood risk management
programme and by developing partnership
projects with other organisations such as
the Wildlife Trusts and the National Trust.
Lord Chris Smith, chairman
of the Environment Agency, said:
“Halting the loss of
Britain’s precious native species is a huge
challenge, and an urgent one. Creating new
ponds to replace the thousands that have
been lost is one of the ways the Environment
Agency is restoring habitat to protect wildlife
for the future.
“Ponds are incredibly
important for hundreds of plants and animals,
and also help absorb carbon dioxide from
the atmosphere. They are remarkably easy
to create and, done in the right way, they
will provide almost instant gratification
as they quickly become very valuable habitats,
supporting a wide range of species.”
The Environment Agency
is also advising that this year’s dry weather
is a good opportunity to carry out some
pond restoration. Alastair Driver, National
conservation manager, explained:
“Given the dry conditions
that we have experienced in many parts of
the country already this summer, it is likely
that pond levels will be very low by the
time we reach September. If so, I would
encourage pond-owners to take the opportunity
to clear out invasive plants and excessive
silt from their ponds, to encourage more
wildlife in.”
ENDS
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National media enquiries
please contact the press office on 020 7863
8744 or email pressoffice@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Outside normal office hours, please contact
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882 092.
Pond Conservation Trust
quote:
Jeremy Biggs, Pond Conservation
Director said: ”the Million Ponds Project
is a ground-breaking initiative to put back
clean water in the landscape by creating
thousands of new ponds. It’s brilliant example
of how partnerships can work, involving
many different organisations and individuals.
We’re especially pleased by the fantastic
support we’ve had from the Environment Agency
who are making an outstanding contribution
to the success of the project”.
CASE STUDY:
Wheal Jane nature reserve,
Cornwall
More than 30 ponds have
been created at the former Wheal Jane tin
mine near Truro, Cornwall by the Environment
Agency. The ponds, in the Carnon Valley,
are rich in wildlife and have helped transform
a previously contaminated landscape.
Working with a landscape
architect, the Environment Agency designed
the ponds to create habitats for as many
species as possible. More than 7,000 tonnes
of inert material was imported to the site
to create the ponds and landscape the site
while an estimated 9,000 tonnes of highly-contaminated
mine waste was removed from the treatment
plant to create a suitable environment for
wildlife.
The successful restoration
of the Wheal Jane site has given a massive
boost to local biodiversity. The ponds –
33 in total - are alive with frogs, toads,
newts and damselflies, including the Scarce
blue-tailed damselfly, Large red damselfly
and Golden ringed dragonfly. Birds are also
colonising the ponds and surrounding area.
In other parts of the site public access
and recreational facilities have been improved
enabling people to enjoy walking and cycling.
