Ghost Ponds: A Hidden Treasure for Biodiversity and How to Restore Them

What if you could revive a pond that has been buried for centuries and restore its biodiversity? That's what some researchers and landowners are doing across the UK, using a technique called "ghost pond resurrection."

Ponds are vital habitats for freshwater life, but many of them have been lost or degraded due to human activities.

However, some of these ponds are not completely gone, but hidden under layers of soil and vegetation.

These are the "ghost ponds," and they contain a treasure trove of seeds and eggs that can sprout into life once they are exposed to water and light.

The hidden treasure of buried ponds

(Photo : AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images)

Imagine a pond that has been filled in and turned into farmland. You might think that the pond is gone forever, but you would be wrong.

Beneath the surface, there is a hidden treasure of seeds and eggs that have been dormant for centuries, waiting for a chance to come back to life.

These are the "ghost ponds," and they are not as rare as you might think.

According to researchers from UCL, there are more than 8,000 ghost ponds buried across Norfolk, and many more across the UK and other parts of the world.

These ponds were once widespread habitats for aquatic plants and animals, but they have been lost over the past century due to agricultural intensification and land reclamation.

However, these ponds are not completely lost, and they can be resurrected from their historic sediments by digging them out and restoring their water levels.

Also Read: Rare Plant Rises from the Dead in Norfolk Pond

The benefits of resurrecting ghost ponds

Why should we care about resurrecting ghost ponds? Well, there are many reasons why these ponds are valuable for biodiversity and the environment.

First of all, ponds are extremely diverse habitats that support more aquatic species than any other freshwater habitat.

They also provide food and water for other wildlife, such as pollinators, birds and bats. By increasing the number of clean water ponds in a region, we can boost freshwater biodiversity and protect against future species decline.

Secondly, ghost ponds have an advantage over new ponds, because they contain a source of local native species that have been preserved in their sediments.

These species can grow from seeds and eggs that have been dormant for hundreds of years, potentially restoring lost populations or even locally extinct species to the resurrected pond.

For example, a rare plant called grass-poly was found growing on the banks of an old farmland pond in Norfolk after it was dug out by researchers.

This plant had not been seen in the area for more than a century.

Thirdly, resurrecting ghost ponds can also benefit farmers and landowners, who can use them for irrigation, livestock watering, fishing or recreation.

Ponds can also help regulate water quality and quantity, reduce soil erosion and flooding, and store carbon in their sediments.

In addition, restoring ghost ponds can enhance the aesthetic and cultural value of the landscape, as they can reveal historical features and stories that have been hidden for generations.

How to resurrect a ghost pond

If you are interested in resurrecting a ghost pond on your land, there are some steps you need to follow.

First, you need to identify the location of the ghost pond, which can be done by looking for clues such as damp depressions, poor crop cover, changes in soil colour or old maps.

Then, you need to excavate the pond using heavy machinery or manual labour, depending on the size and depth of the pond. You should aim to remove all the infill material and expose the original pond basin

Next, you need to restore the water level of the pond by allowing natural rainfall or groundwater to fill it up.

You should avoid using tap water or runoff water from nearby fields, as they may contain pollutants or invasive species that can harm the pond's ecology.

You should also create a buffer zone around the pond by planting native vegetation or leaving a strip of grassland.

This will help prevent nutrient inputs from fertilizers or pesticides, and provide shelter and food for wildlife.

Finally, monitor and manage the pond over time to ensure its health and diversity. You should observe the changes in plant and animal life that occur after resurrection, and record any rare or interesting species that appear.

Also remove any excess scrub or invasive species that may threaten the pond's balance. You should avoid introducing any fish or other animals that may prey on or compete with native species.

Moreover, refrain from using chemicals or cleaning agents that may harm the pond's life.

By following these steps, you can bring a ghost pond back from the dead and enjoy its benefits for yourself and nature.

You can also join a network of other pond enthusiasts who are working to restore these habitats across the UK and beyond.