WT4: Pond management (less than 100 square metres)

How much will be paid

£424 per pond.

Where to use this option

It is available for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier:

• on priority ponds (these are defined on the Freshwater Habitats Trust website)
• on other ponds with flora and fauna of nature conservation importance, good quality water and natural water levels
• when the neighbouring land is under a management option that restricts fertilisers, manures and pesticides

Where this option cannot be used

In combination with pond management capital items.

How this option will benefit the environment

It will protect and enhance small ponds of high wildlife value.

Requirements

You must:

• manage vegetation in the pond
• control scrub and invasive non-native plants
• retain overhanging trees, bushes and deadwood
• graze or cut the margins of the pond
• carry out the work within the dates agreed with the adviser
• maintain clear, unpolluted water
• maintain the current water regime

The agreement will set out what must not be done. It is likely you will not be allowed to:

• introduce any plants or animals (including fish and waterfowl) to the pond
• deepen or change the original profile of the pond
• infill the pond

Keeping records

You must keep keep the following records and supply them on request:

• field operations at the parcel level, including associated invoices
• photographs of the pond

The detailed requirements for this option will be tailored to the Higher Tier site. You should discuss and agree these requirements with your adviser.

Related options

You can locate these options and supplements on the same area as this option:

• SP4 - Control of invasive plant species supplement
• SP9 - Threatened species supplement

Advice and suggestions for how to carry out this option

The following advice is helpful, but they are not requirements for this item.

To avoid damaging the pond:

• survey it to check which species are present
• if the pond contains a protected species, you will need a wildlife licence
• only manage one section of it at a time
• keep some of the existing habitat
• keep some of the leaf litter, logs and woody debris
• aim to maintain diversity in the pond complex - if there are several ponds on the site, don’t carry out the same management on all of them at the same time.

Biodiversity

This option has been identified as being beneficial for biodiversity. All Countryside Stewardship habitat creation, restoration and management options are of great significance for biodiversity recovery, as are the wide range of arable options in the scheme. Capital items and supplements can support this habitat work depending on the holding’s situation and potential.

The connectivity of habitats is also very important and habitat options should be linked wherever possible. Better connectivity will allow wildlife to move/colonise freely to access water, food, shelter and breeding habitat, and will allow natural communities of both animals and plants to adapt in response to environmental and climate change.

Further information

Read Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage to find out more information about Higher Tier including how to apply.