The project’s overarching aim is to develop improved methods for maximising the use of ponds and pondscapes in climate change adaptation and mitigation, biodiversity conservation and the delivery of ecosystem services.
Because of their small size, the significance of ponds has long been underestimated. However, research over the last 10-15 years has shown that, because of their abundance, heterogeneity, exceptional biodiversity, inherent naturalness and biogeochemical potency, ponds play a role in catchments, landscapes, and potentially at continental scale which is completely out of proportion to their small size.
The main aims of the research in PONDERFUL will be to increase understanding of the ways in which ponds, as a Nature-Based Solution (NBS), can help society to mitigate and adapt to climate change, protect biodiversity and deliver ecosystem services. The project starts in December 2020, and runs for 4 years.
The project has five main components:
The project brings together 18 project partners with experienced researchers from nine European states and from Turkey and Uruguay.
The full project team comprises: the University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia; IGB Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries; Katholieke Universiteit Leuven; Haute Ecole Specialisée de Suisse Occidentale; Universitat de Girona; Ecologic Institute, Berlin; University College London; Middle East Technical University; CIIMAR - Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental; Aarhus Universitet; Uppsala Universitet; Bangor University; Technische Universitaet Muenchen; Institut Superieur d'agriculture Rhone Alpes I.S.A.R.A; Freshwater Habitats Trust; Universidad de la Republica, Uruguay; Randbee Consultants and Amphi International.
PONDERFUL is committed to gender balance and gender mainstreaming through the project actions and content and we are pleased to note that the current consortium team is 53% female.
Contact at HEPIA: Beat Oertli (project leader)
Project partner(s)
Project leader - team
Beat Oertli
(HEPIA),
Aurélie Boissezon
(HEPIA),
Julie Fahy
(HEPIA),
Eliane Demierre
(HEPIA),
Marine Decrey
(HEPIA)