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PM 20 - Enhance existing and restore lost ice age ponds

Code
PM 20
Measure
Enhance existing and restore lost ice age ponds
Description
Ice age ponds are a unique feature of Herefordshire and Norfolk, and they can be lost in the landscape to agricultural intensification, land use change or hydrological changes resulting in them drying out. Understanding where ponds are currently situated or used to exist is important in restoring and increasing the number of ice age ponds in the county. Lost ponds or Ghost ponds can be restored and through re-exposure of the seed bank that is buried species restoration can take place to increase biodiversity.
Wider environmental benefits
Improving air quality Improving water quality Increasing flood risk management Reducing climate change impact Supporting health and cultural services Promoting nature friendly farming Controlling invasive species
Links to additional information and guidance

https://www.herefordshirewt.org/iceageponds

Priority
Freshwater habitats are expanded, restored and reconnected
Priority description
Herefordshire has greater than the national average density of ponds, as well as a diverse range of other freshwater habitats. These are vital places for wildlife and provide freshwater resilience to the landscape, which will be increasingly important as climate change impacts are experienced. it will also be important to ensure the ponds are kept in as natural a state as possible. With many ponds starting to be more actively gardened this can lead to an increase in introduced species and unnatural nutrient loads impacting the potential biodiversity and species that could depend on them. Expanding, restoring and reconnecting these habitats will be crucial to maintaining resilience and benefitting both species and people.