Island farmers have been working hard to improve the condition of their ponds with help from the Farming in Protected Landscapes grant scheme. Although small in area a very broad range of wildlife make use of ponds from wetland plants to dragonflies, newts and birds. Once created to provide water for livestock that purpose largely ceased when piped supplies became available. Without an agricultural role many ponds can become neglected. They start to become dry as silt builds up and tree cover creates heavy shading. This is a natural process but without action the value of these wetland habitats is eventually lost. This is not all bad as a range of conditions from newly dug to those in decline all provide a home for different wildlife species. The cycle can be repeated with periodic sensitive restoration.
The Farming in Protected Landscapes grant supported by the Isle of Wight National Landscape is helping to cover much of the costs involved in restoring ponds and is available to create or bring back ‘ghost ponds’. Old maps show where these were located, and work can put them back into the landscape. The grant can help with the costs of machinery to remove the build-up of silt and tree surgery to increase light levels. Some of the Island’s ponds are of historical interest so, as attractive features in the landscape with a wildlife function they are part of our agricultural heritage and worthy of conservation.
The photos show the ‘before and after’ condition of a recently restored pond near Downend.