Biodiversity Monitoring of Ponds

Through this project, we are developing a large-scale monitoring framework for biodiversity in small standing freshwater systems (ponds) in Europe, with a central role for citizen science.

Although ponds are particularly valuable in terms of biodiversity, ecosystem services and nature-based solutions, they currently remain underexposed in regular systematic monitoring programmes. However, these systems are exposed to similar stressors as rivers and lakes, including nutrient enrichment, habitat fragmentation and climate change. Moreover, ponds in regions such as Flanders are often subject to ecological degradation.

INBO will be closely involved in the development of a systematic sampling strategy for small water bodies and the sampling of a large number of ponds in Flanders via local stakeholders.