Encouraging Biodiversity: Sludge Treatment in Stagnant Waters of Rödinghausen
In the picturesque town of Herford, two former fire ponds have been meticulously restored, thanks to the joint efforts of the municipality of Rodinghausen and the Herford District. The re-modeling of these ponds was carried out by Frederik Zynda's gardening company, with the objective of providing a habitat for native amphibians and other small animals.
The second fire pond, located a few hundred meters away from the one in Bursiek, and the old fire pond in Bursiek, have undergone a transformation. While the second pond is shadier than its Bursiek counterpart, both ponds can occasionally dry out. However, the hope is that these renovations will ensure a more sustainable ecosystem.
The most recent addition to this project is the new pond in the Bramsche valley. Although it was only dug out about three weeks ago, signs of life are already beginning to emerge. A dragonfly has been spotted inspecting the new pond, and Timo Schubert, a local wildlife enthusiast, anticipates that the pond will soon provide a home to many animals once life in the water settles in.
The financing for this renaturation project came from a funding pot of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, with VERBUND providing the necessary funds. The total budget for the restoration of the two pond surfaces amounts to approximately 20,000 euros, with the funding being a co-financing at a rate of 70%. The remaining 30% of the costs are covered by the municipality of Rodinghausen.
The re-modeling of these ponds involves several measures, including removing vegetation, de-silting, compacting, and creating a new shoreline. These steps are designed to re-activate already existing stillwaters, transforming them into thriving ecosystems.
Herford District supported the application process for this funding, and the municipality of Rodinghausen, in cooperation with Herford District, has also de-silted and re-modeled several other stillwaters in the district. This includes the re-natured old fish pond and the newly created pond in the Bramsche valley.
The re-modeled ponds are already showing signs of success. In the re-modeled old fire pond in Bursiek, common frogs have been spotted, as observed by Timo Schubert, Anne Ledendecker, and Andreas Dornhofer. The hope is that the new pond in the Bramsche valley will soon follow suit, providing a diverse habitat for various amphibians, insects, dragonflies, and other small animals.
Life in the water of the new pond in the Bramsche valley is yet to fully settle in, but the early signs are promising. With the continued efforts of the municipality and the support of the Herford District, these ponds are set to become vital components of the local ecosystem, enriching the biodiversity of the region.
