Lessons from pond creation and restoration projects in Europe

• DOI: 10.1111/rec.14342
• Publication Date: 2024-12-11T11:33:41Z
• Authors: Lizaan de Necker; Luc Brendonck; Bram Vanschoenwinkel; Margarita Florencio; Laila Rhazi; Bartłomiej Gołdyn
• Keywords: Habitats Directive; Natura 2000; Restoration Ecology; Directive; Promotion (chess); Stakeholder Engagement; Best practice; Water Framework Directive

Pond ecosystems harbour substantial biodiversity and contribute to several ecosystem services as nature‐based solutions (NbS). restoration creation projects have been initiated address these trends, yet while some insights are published, many remain within the expertise of practitioners not easily accessible. Moreover, papers synthesizing findings from multiple such derive broad, universal conclusions very much lacking. Here, we contacted pond that worked on recent in Europe using a questionnaire. We reported which practices currently most common identified where current good might need be modified. As expected, targeted monitored species habitats protected under European Union Birds Directive Habitats Directive. Most focused conservation targets, rather than promotion specific Natura 2000 habitats, or NbS. Several challenges were highlighted including funding limitations stakeholder engagement difficulties. Recommendations included amending legal frameworks, improving connectivity among pondscapes for effective implementing more systematic monitoring. This work illustrates how consultation stakeholders can generate may hidden typical monitoring reports.