The pond biodiversity index "IBEM", a new tool for the rapid assessment of biodiversity in ponds from Switzerland. Part 2. Method description and examples of application

Ponds are now widely recognized to contribute significantly to regional freshwater biodiversity. Therefore, tools to easily and rapidly assess biological quality specificalIy for these aquatic habitats have been increasingly requested by conservation planners and nature managers. In c10se association with practitioners, we developed such a method for Switzerland; the pond biodiversity index "IBEM". The IBEM-Index is based on the assessment of the taxonomic richness of 5 groups: aquatic vege­tation, Gastropoda, Coleoptera, adult Odonata and Amphibia. No abundance data are necessary and genus level identification is required for alI groups except Amphibia (species level). The sampling methodology is a stratified random strategy and alIows the use of richness estimators to transform the observed taxonomic richness (Sobs) into true taxonomic richness (Strue). As the IBEM assessment folIows the methodology presented in the Water Framework Directive, it is based on the caIculation of the ratio of true taxonomic richness (Strue) to reference-based predicted richness (Sref)' Each of the five taxonomic groups is assessed separately and the overalI biological quality of any given pond (i.e. the IBEM-Index) is the average of the five ratios. This score is later converted into one of five quality c1asses for each pond: bad (O to 0.2), poor (> 0.2 to 0.4), moderate (> 0.4 to 0.6), good (> 0.6 to 0.8), and high (> 0.8 to 1). In this paper, the implementation of the IBEM-Index is described in detail. The sampling methodologies are developed (for the biodiversity and the environmental variables) as welI as the assessment methodology. FinalIy, two examples are presen­ted in detail, for a "good" quality pond and for a "bad" quality pond. The method implementation also includes a website (http://campus.hesge.ch/ibem) which a1lows the online caIculation of the index, and provides support for both sampling and assessment methodologies to users. The IBEM-Index is a rapid assessment method which gives an overalI value of pond biodiversity in terms of taxa richness and can be used, for example, in regional screenings or site monitoring in Switzerland. Moreover, as biodiversity is generalIy recognized as a good indicator of global ecological quality, the IBEM-Index can also be used to investigate ecosystem quality.Está ampliamente reconocido que las pequeñas masas de agua (charcas) contribuyen de forma significativa a la biodiversi­dad regional de las aguas dulces. Por tanto, las herramientas que de manera rápida y fácil evalúen especíjicamente la calidad biológica de estos hábitats acuáticos están siendo requeridas cada vez más por profesionales de la gestión y conservación del medio natural. En estrecha colaboración con estos profesionales, se ha desarrollado un método de este tipo para Suiza; el índice de biodiversidad de charcas "IBEM". El Índice-IBEM se basa en la evaluación de la riqueza taxonómica de 5 grupos: vegetación acuática, gasterópoda, coleópteros, odonatos (adultos) y anfibios. No son necesarios datos de abundancia y se requiere un nivel identificación de género para todos los grupos excepto para los anfibios (nivel de especie). Se usa un muestreo aleatorio estratificado que permite obtener estimadores para transformar la riqueza taxonómica observada (Sobs) en riqueza taxonómica real (Strue)' La evaluación IBEM sigue la metodología de la Directiva Marco del Agua, que se basa en el cálculo de la relación entre la riqueza taxonómica real (Strue) y la riqueza esperable en un estado de referencia (Sre!)' Cada uno de los cinco grupos taxonómicos se evalúa por separado y la calidad biológica de una charca determinada (Índice-IBEM) es la media de los cinco coeficientes. Este resultado es posterionnente asignado a una de las cinco clases de calidad: malo (O a 0.2), deficiente (> 0.2 a 0.4), moderado (> 0.4 a 0.6), bueno (> 0.6 to 0.8), y muy bueno (> 0.8 al). En este artículo, se describe detalladamente la aplicación del índice IBEM y se desarrollan las metodologías de mues­treo (para la biodiversidad y las variables ambientales) y de valoración utilizadas. Por último, se presentan con detalle dos ejemplos, una charca con "buena" calidad y otra con "mala" calidad. Se incluye también una página web (http://campus.hesge.ch/ibem), que permite el cálculo del índice a través de intemet y sirve de apoyo a los usuarios en las metodologías de muestreo y de valoración. El índice IBEM es un método de evaluación rápida que da un valor general de la diversidad biológica de una charca en términos de riqueza de taxones y se puede utilizar, por ejemplo, a nivel regional o en el seguimiento de una localidad, en Suiza. Además, como la biodiversidad es un buen indicador de la calidad ecológica global, el índice IBEM también se puede usar para evaluar el estado del ecosistema

How can we conserve cold stenotherm communities in warming Alpine ponds?

Freshwater biodiversity has shown to be highly vulnerable to climate warming, alpine cold stenotherm populations being especially at risk of getting extinct. This paper aims at identifying the environmental factors favouring cold stenotherm species in alpine ponds. This information is required to provide management recommendations for habitats restoration or creation, needed for the mitigation of the effects of climate warming on alpine freshwater biodiversity. Cold stenotherm species richness as well as total (i.e. stenotherm and eurytherm) richness were analyzed for aquatic plants, Coleoptera and Odonata in 26 subalpine and alpine ponds from Switzerland and were related to environmental factors ecologically relevant for pond biodiversity. Our results confirmed that the set of environmental variables governing pond biodiversity in alpine or subalpine ponds is specific to altitude. Altitude and macrophyte presence were important drivers of cold stenotherm and total species richness, whereas connectivity did not show any significant relation. Therefore, the management of pond biodiversity has to be ‘altitude-specific'. Nevertheless, cold stenotherm species from the investigated alpine ponds do not show some specific requirements if compared to the other species inhabiting these ponds. Therefore, both total and cold stenotherm species richness could be favoured by the same management measures

The pond biodiversity index "IBEM", a new tool for the rapid assessment of biodiversity in ponds from SwitzerlandPart 1. Index development

Due to legal requirements, nature managers increasingly have to carry out assessments of biodiversity for conservation purpo­seso For ponds, a type of waterbody now widely recognized as an important reservoir for freshwater biodiversity, standardized bioassessment methods are needed, but still rare. We produced such a tool for smalllowland waterbodies in Switzerland: the Pond Biodiversity Index ("IBEM"). This Index is the adaptation of a method used by researchers for assessing the biodiver­sity in ponds, PLOCH, which does not currently meet the requirements for routine use by nature managers because it is too expensive and requires a high skill level in taxonomic identification. A method intended for practitioners has to be simple, standardized, cheap, adjustable, and consistent with the legislative framework. In order to fulfill these requirements, the theoretical and practical aspects of IBEM were developed with a group of representative end users including nature conservation managers, consuitants, govemmental organizations and taxonomic experts. To develop the method, we used a species dataset from 63 Swiss lowland ponds which included five taxonomic groups: aquatic plants, aquatic Gastropoda, aquatic Coleopte­ra, adult Odonata and Amphibia. The following topics were addressed: (i) the number and type of taxonomic groups which should be used for producing the index (is it possible to use surrogates?) (ii) the level of identification for each taxonomic group (species? genus? family?) (iii) the sampling strategy (sampling technique, number of replicates), (iv) the calculation of a unique index and the strategy for assessing its score, and (v) the transfer of this new method to end users. The new method IBEM uses all five taxonomic groups, because a subset of groups did not produce reliable assessments of pond biodiversity. Identification to genus level is required for four groups (aquatic plants, aquatic Gastropoda, aquatic Coleoptera, aduit Odona­ta) and species level for Amphibia. The sampling methodology is based on the stratified random strategy used in the PLOCH method, but with a slight modification in the number of samples per pond. The assessment follows the methodology adopted by the European Water Framework Directive, and the ratio of the observed richness to a reference-based predicted richness is translated into one of five quality categories for each pond. The final index is the mean of the five assessment scores. To facilitate the implementation of the IBEM method, a website (http://campus.hesge.ch/ibem) enables online calculation of the index, and provides instructions on both sampling and assessment methodologies. Furthermore, training courses are organized by the authors of the method for end users.Debido a requerimientos legales, es cada vez más necesario que los gestores del medio ambiente lleven a cabo evaluaciones de la biodiversidad dirigidas a la conservación de la naturaleza. Para las charcas, pequeñas masas de agua ampliamente reconocidas como importantes reservorios de diversidad biológica acuática, los métodos normalizados de bio-evaluación son necesarios, pero aún escasos. Para esta tipología de pequeñas masas de agua situadas a baja altitud en Suiza se ha elaborado el índice de Biodiversidad de charcas ("IBEM"). Este índice es la adaptación de un método utilizado por los investigadores para evaluar la diversidad biológica en charcas, PLOCH, que no cumplía los requisitos para un uso rutinario por parte de los gestores del medio natural por ser demasiado caro y requerir un alto nivel de experiencia en la identificación taxonómica. Un método destinado a estos profesionales tiene que ser sencillo, estandarizado, económico, ajustable y en consonancia con el marco legislativo. Con el fin de cumplir estos requisitos, los aspectos teóricos y prácticos de IBEM se han desarrollado con un grupo representativo de posibles usuarios, incluyendo gestores conservadores, consultores, organizaciones guber­namentales y expertos en taxonomía. Para desarrollar el método, se ha utilizado una base de datos de 63 charcas Suizas, situadas en altitudes bajas, que incluye cinco grupos taxonómicos: plantas acuáticas, gasterópodos acuáticos, coleópteros acuáticos, odonatos adultos y anfibios. Se han estudiado los siguientes aspectos: (i) el número y tipo de grupos taxonómicos que se deben utilizar (es posible el uso de sustitutos?) (ii) nivel de identificación para cada grupo taxonómico (¿especie, género, familia?) (iii) estrategia de muestreo (técnica, número de réplicas), (iv) cálculo de un índice único y procedimiento para la asignación de valores y (v) la transferencia de este método a los posibles usuarios. El nuevo método IBEM utiliza los cinco grupos taxonómicos, ya que un subconjunto de ellos no produciría evaluaciones fiables de la diversidad biológica de la charca. La identificación a nivel de género es necesaria para cuatro de estos grupos (plantas acuáticas, gasterópodos acuáticos, coleópteros acuáticos, y odonatos adultos) y para los anfibios es necesario el nivel de especie. El muestreo sigue un diseño aleatorio estratificado, utilizado en el método PLOCH, pero con una ligera modificación en el número de muestras por charca. La evaluación sigue la metodología adoptada por la Directiva Marco de Aguas, y la relación entre la riqueza observada y la del estado de referencia se traduce en una de las cinco categorías de calidad para cada charca. El índice final es la media de las cinco puntuaciones de la evaluación. Para facilitar la aplicación del método IBEM, un sitio web (http://campus.hesge.ch/ibem) permite cálculo del índice a través de la red y proporciona instrucciones tanto de las metodo­logías de muestreo como de la valoración. Además, los autores han organizado cursos de formación sobre el método para los usuarios

Pond conservation: from science to practice

In Europe, ponds are an exceptionally numerous and widely distributed landscape feature forming a major part of the continental freshwater resource and contributing significantly to freshwater biodiversity conservation. This has been reflected by a growing scientific concern over the first few years of the twenty-first century and is evidenced by an increasing number of academic publications on pond related topics, particularly those relating to biodiversity. It is essential, however, that this expanding scientific knowledge is widely disseminated to those involved with pond management and is then rapidly translated into action. Inevitably, the task of transferring science to practice remains a significant challenge. As a first step towards meeting this challenge the European Pond Conservation Network (EPCN), at its biennial meeting in 2008 in Valencia (Spain), made this the main theme of the conference together with two special workshops further encouraging exchanges between scientists, practitioners and policy makers. The papers selected for this special issue of Hydrobiologia (from over 120 communications presented) are all from the conference. They represent a diverse collection of themes from across the continent and North Africa and present new and original insights into topics as wide ranging as: pond biodiversity; human disturbance; landscape ecology; ecological assessment and monitoring; practical management measures; ecological restoration; hydrology and climate change; invasive species and threatened species. In all cases, the papers demonstrate an overriding need for the development of a tight link between scientific knowledge and management. Furthermore, scientific advances have to be beneficial for on the ground management and, vitally, have to be disseminated, communicated and implemented into local, national and international policy. As such, national and international networks (such as the EPCN) have a central role to play and have to develop a robust information and communication strategy which will enable the dissemination of best practice materials and advice across the continent and beyond. The work contained in this volume represents a step in the right direction and will help to ensure that ponds remain a characteristic and highly visible feature of the European landscape in the twenty-first centur

Preface: conservation of european ponds-current knowledge and future needs

Ponds are common elements of the landscape with an important role in the global processes of biosphere and biodiversity preservation. Recent research indicates that ecological characteristics of ponds are different from other inland water systems, but scientific knowledge is still insufficient and poor compared to lakes and rivers. Therefore, whilst indicators and conservation tools have been developed for most aquatic systems, there is also a gap between existing basic information on pond ecology and applied research. The European Pond Conservation Network (EPCN) with the aim of strengthening the links between basic and applied research and pond management organized its 3rd biennial meeting in Valencia (Spain) with the theme "Pond conservation: from science to practice". We present a selection of papers from this conference, which cover the three main topics of the sessions: (1) Management and conservation in practice, (2) Pond ecology at different scales and (3) Temporary ponds. The articles presented develop techniques for assessing the ecological status of this type of ecosystems, evidence the importance of ponds in a global scale, indicate that their conservation must take into account their spatial arrangement in networks, discuss environmental factors that are relevant to biodiversity conservation and provide information on different research areas such as biogeochemical processes, evolution of aquatic biota and community ecology

Macroinvertebrate assemblages in 25 high alpine ponds of the Swiss National Park (Cirque of Macun) and relation to environmental variables

High-altitude freshwater ecosystems and their biocoenosis are ideal sentinel systems to detect global change. In particular, pond communities are likely to be highly responsive to climate warming. For this reason, the Swiss National Park has included ponds as part of a long-term monitoring programme of the high-alpine Macun cirque. This cirque covers 3.6km2, has a mean altitude of 2,660m a.s.l., and includes a hydrographic system composed of a stream network and more than 35 temporary and permanent ponds. The first two steps in the programme were to (i) make an inventory of the macroinvertebrates of the waterbodies in the Macun cirque, and (ii) relate the assemblages to local or regional environmental variables. Sampling was conducted in 25ponds between 2002 and 2004. The number of taxa characterising the region (Macun cirque) was low, represented by 47 lentic taxa. None of them was endemic to the Alps, although several species were cold stenothermal. Average pond richness was low (11.3 taxa). Assemblages were dominated by Chironomidae (Diptera), and Coleoptera and Oligochaeta were also relatively well represented. Other groups, which are frequent in lowland ponds, had particularly poor species richness (Trichoptera, Heteroptera) or were absent (Gastropoda, Odonata, Ephemeroptera). Macroinvertebrate assemblages (composition, richness) were only weakly influenced by local environmental variables. The main structuring processes were those operating at regional level and, namely, the connectivity between ponds, i.e. the presence of a physical connection (tributary) and/or small geographical distance between ponds. The results suggest that during the long-term monitoring of the Macun ponds (started in 2005), two kinds of change will affect macroinvertebrate assemblages. The first change is related to the natural dynamics, with high local-scale turnover, involving the metapopulations characterising the Macun cirque. The second change is related to global warming, leading to higher local and regional richness through an increase in the number of colonisation events resulting from the upward shift of geographical ranges of species. At the same time the cold stenothermal species from Macun will be subject to extinctio

New policy directions for global pond conservation

© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Despite the existence of well-established international environmental and nature conservation policies (e.g., the Ramsar Convention and Convention on Biological Diversity) ponds are largely missing from national and international legislation and policy frameworks. Ponds are among the most biodiverse and ecologically important freshwater habitats, and their value lies not only in individual ponds, but more importantly, in networks of ponds (pondscapes). Ponds make an important contribution to society through the ecosystem services they provide, with effective conservation of pondscapes essential to ensuring that these services are maintained. Implementation of current pond conservation through individual site designations does not function at the landscape scale, where ponds contribute most to biodiversity. Conservation and management of pondscapes should complement current national and international nature conservation and water policy/legislation, as pondscapes can provide species protection in landscapes where large-scale traditional conservation areas cannot be established (e.g., urban or agricultural landscapes). We propose practical steps for the effective incorporation or enhancement of ponds within five policy areas: through open water sustainable urban drainage systems in urban planning, increased incentives in agrienvironment schemes, curriculum inclusion in education, emphasis on ecological scale in mitigation measures following anthropogenic developments, and the inclusion of pondscapes in conservation policy