[RESOURCE] Assessing the value of pond management for biodiversity conservation

Ponds are important for aquatic biodiversity. However, currently, the vast majority are poorly managed, and hence heavily terrestrialised, with potentially negative implications for biodiversity. In partnership with AquaticEngineering this project explores the consequences of pond management, namely de-silting and de-shading, for biodiversity conservation. The merits of these techniques have not been previously tested and indeed have been questioned by some ecologists. This project seeks to combine contemporary limnological and biological investigation with palaeoecological analysis to provide vital information to guide good management practice and future agri-environment policy. The project will focus on three small 'marl pit' ponds in North Norfolk, eastern England, selected to fall along a gradient of terrestrialisation. Monitoring studies will be conducted at the two overgrown ponds prior to and after management. Additionally longer-term (decadal-centennial) responses to terrestrialisation will be assessed by palaeolimnological studies of these two sites. The proposed project will address the following key research questions: 1. How does terrestrialisation affect the chemical and ecological functioning of ponds? 2. How does pond management affect biological structure and species diversity? 3. Can pond management return lost biological communities? Cross-comparison of limnological data collected for the ponds, both before and after management, will permit an understanding of varying biological structure and ecological functioning under terrestrialised, non-terrestrialised and 'restored' open conditions, while the palaeolimnological studies will enable the nature and timescales of biological change due to terrestrialisation and de-shading to be examined, as well as determining the extent to which species lost during the terrestrialisation process are returned to the aquatic ecosystem. The student will spend time with our case partner AquaticEngineering thereby gaining a good knowledge of the requirements and aspirations of one of the country's leading aquatic consultancies with specialist expertise in pond and lake management. Equally, time spent with the CASE partner will facilitate communication of the project's findings to both the CASE partner and its many clients.