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Table of Contents
"Ghost Ponds" are "lost" ponds that have either been drained or filled in, usually to create more farm land, though some may also have simply filled in over time from natural processes.
"Zombie Ponds" are ponds which are too overgrown and are not able to function as well as they could. This can be caused by invasive plant species, which can quickly take over, creating greenhouse gases from excess rotting materials, or in the case of algae growth, may cause deoxygenation, which can kill off aquatic animals.
28:53 minute video about saving ponds in the UK.
Ghost ponds are nature's way of storing seeds over decades or even centuries. After a restoration, seeds that haven't seen the light of day for over a hundred years can spring back to life, in some cases bringing back species that haven't been seen in certain regions for hundreds of years.
Some historical maps don't include ponds that may have existed in the past, so historical data isn't always enough to track them down. However these "lost ponds" often still exist "in spirit", and can be found via some of the following indicators.
Black marks in fields.
Damp patches of field that routinely puddle and hold water.
Patches of mist that hover over a particular part of a field.
Patches where crops grow differently. You may notice the soil look slightly different from the rest of the field and has slightly different qualities.
Guide to Restoration, Creation & Management of Ponds (PDF) "Bring ponds to life"
Norfolk Ponds Project "Restoring, resurrecting and conserving Norfolk's ponds."
Ponderful Project
Freshwater Habitats Trust "We're building a national network of wilder, wetter, cleaner, connected freshwaters"
Norfolk Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) "has been a longstanding partner of the Norfolk Ponds Project and advises landowners on ecological benefits of pond restoration and pond creation projects. Norfolk FWAG undertakes pond surveys and provides advice on current environmental funding schemes to enable such projects."
Norfolk Ponds Project "Restoring, resurrecting and conserving Norfolk's ponds."
Norfolk Wildlife Trust "manage ponds on a network of nature reserves across Norfolk. NWT also work with landowners to manage, restore and create new ponds, including farmland ponds, ponds on County Wildlife Sites and community-owned ponds. NWT also provides training on the value, management and restoration of ponds, often in conjunction with the Norfolk Ponds Project."
The UCL Pond Restoration Research Group "provides the critical science on pond restoration that underpins the work of NPP. UCL staff and students are involved in on-going pond science and monitoring work and are currently studying the consequences of pond restoration and ghost pond resurrection for biodiversity as well as carbon burial and greenhouse gas emissions."
The National Trust: Freshwater Community Grant Fund "Grants of £500 to £5,000 are available for initiatives that create, look after or improve local freshwater habitats and provide opportunities for people to connect with nature."