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Maritime Forum

PONDERFUL

Short description of the action

Ponds and pondscapes (networks of ponds) are crucial for biodiversity conservation. These habitats
provide multiple benefits to society (called ‘ecosystem services’) and could play a crucial role in
mitigating and adapting to climate change. However, ponds are largely neglected in water- and naturerelated
policies. We do not yet know enough about how we can manage and restore ponds to maximize
their role as nature-based solutions (NBS) and increase the resilience of ecosystems and society to
climate change.
The overarching aim of PONDERFUL is to develop better methods for maximizing the use of
ponds and pondscapes in climate change adaptation and mitigation, biodiversity conservation and
the delivery of ecosystem services. We will achieve this by generating new knowledge of ponds’
biodiversity and ecosystems, benefits to society and economy and policy. We will also provide
evidence-based guidance and tools for creating and restoring ponds as NBS.
The main objectives of PONDERFUL are:
1) Evaluate the interactions and feedbacks between biodiversity, ecosystem services and climate in
pondscapes at locations across Europe and in Uruguay;
2) Develop future scenarios for pondscapes in Europe and Uruguay in the context of climate change,
land use change, and changed policies (using stakeholder consultation);
3) Develop and test the implementation of effective multifunctional NBS in close collaboration with
the stakeholders at a range of pond and pondscape sites in EU and Uruguay countries;
4) Develop a sustainable finance and investment guide for NBS, in collaboration with local
stakeholders;
5) Develop a strategic approach to engagement with stakeholders, to ensure that they are able to
effectively implement the benefits of ponds as NBS.

Name of organisation
University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia
Type of organisation
Research and academia
Type of action proposed
Evidence-based knowledge and data and/or access provision to knowledge and data, in line with FAIR principles for the Mission Ocean and Waters Knowledge System
The action contributes to the following objective or enabler
Protect and restore marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity
Ocean and waters knowledge system
List of Partners

IGB im Forschungsverbund Berlin (Germany);
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium);
Haute Ecole Spécialisée de Suisse occidentale (Switzerland);
Universitat de Girona (Spain);
Ecologic Institut gemeinnützige GmbH (Germany);
University College London (UK);
Middle East Technical University (Turkey);
CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (Portugal);
Aarhus University (Denmark);
Uppsala University (Sweden);
Bangor University (UK);
Technical University of Munich (Germany);
I.S.A.R.A. – Institut Supérieur d’Agriculture Rhône-Alpes (France);
Freshwater Habitats Trust (UK);
Universidad de la República (Uruguay);
Randbee Consultants SL (Spain);
Amphi International APS (Denmark).

Start date of the action
End date of the action
Budget allocated for the action
6993407
Basin coverage
Cross-basin
Website link
Email
info.ponderful@uvic.cat
Country
Belgium
Denmark
Germany
Portugal
Spain
Sweden
United Kingdom
Uruguay
Other country
European Union, Turkey