wes_von_papineäu
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DAILY ECHO (Bournemouth, UK) 29 January 09 Have I got newts for you! (Luke Starr)
Ponds across Purbeck are to be given a much- needed boost thanks to a new initiative spearheaded by Dorset Wildlife Trust.
The Purbeck Important Ponds project aims to boost and increase the endangered wetland habitats over the next two years.
More than a third of countryside ponds in the UK have disappeared since the 1940s and if neglected more will dry up naturally.
The hope is that by creating new ponds the situation will improve.
Purbeck is home to a plethora of wetland wildlife, including nearly all known British dragonflies and the rare great crested newt, which is protected by law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
“Dorset contains some fantastic examples of ponds with wonderful dragonflies, plants, amphibians and more,” said Rachel Janes, rivers and wetlands conservation officer at Dorset Wildlife Trust.
“Ponds cover an amazing array of freshwater features, ranging from something little more than a puddle to Capability Brown-style lakes.
“This project is a very exciting opportunity to find out exactly what we have got and halt the decline.”
The programme has been developed to address targets in the government’s draft Pond Habitat Action Plan that will be implemented by the Environment Agency.
Landowners will also be encouraged to participate in workshops to learn how to design successful new ponds, and the importance of protecting existing ones.
Even the untidy, murky pond is home to all manners of species, and careful consideration is needed before undertaking any sort of clearing operation.
The first step of the programme will involve mapping all of Purbeck’s ponds before shortlisting those of highest priority because of their unusual biodiversity.
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/4087062.Have_I_got_newts_for_you_/
Ponds across Purbeck are to be given a much- needed boost thanks to a new initiative spearheaded by Dorset Wildlife Trust.
The Purbeck Important Ponds project aims to boost and increase the endangered wetland habitats over the next two years.
More than a third of countryside ponds in the UK have disappeared since the 1940s and if neglected more will dry up naturally.
The hope is that by creating new ponds the situation will improve.
Purbeck is home to a plethora of wetland wildlife, including nearly all known British dragonflies and the rare great crested newt, which is protected by law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
“Dorset contains some fantastic examples of ponds with wonderful dragonflies, plants, amphibians and more,” said Rachel Janes, rivers and wetlands conservation officer at Dorset Wildlife Trust.
“Ponds cover an amazing array of freshwater features, ranging from something little more than a puddle to Capability Brown-style lakes.
“This project is a very exciting opportunity to find out exactly what we have got and halt the decline.”
The programme has been developed to address targets in the government’s draft Pond Habitat Action Plan that will be implemented by the Environment Agency.
Landowners will also be encouraged to participate in workshops to learn how to design successful new ponds, and the importance of protecting existing ones.
Even the untidy, murky pond is home to all manners of species, and careful consideration is needed before undertaking any sort of clearing operation.
The first step of the programme will involve mapping all of Purbeck’s ponds before shortlisting those of highest priority because of their unusual biodiversity.
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/4087062.Have_I_got_newts_for_you_/