The Attert Valley Nature Park, located in Luxembourg Province, has created around 20 new ponds to support local biodiversity, benefiting various insect and amphibian species, project officials announced on Thursday.
The park emphasised the critical role ponds play in fostering biodiversity but lamented their decline due to accumulated leaves, which gradually clog them, rendering them unsuitable for wildlife.
Rather than restoring existing ponds, the park opted to build new ones nearby to enhance the area’s ecosystem. The newly constructed ponds range in size from 25 m2 to 350 m2. In some areas, trees were removed to increase sunlight exposure, which is essential for supporting wildlife.
“This project aims to strengthen the pond network and facilitate natural migrations between them,” Maxime Goffagne, a project manager at the park, explained. “For instance, the common frog is experiencing a decline in Wallonia. This species could benefit from these habitats, which include features like hibernacula made of deadwood to provide shelter from predators and safe places to hibernate.”
Goffagne also highlighted the green tree frog as a potential beneficiary. While this species is not native to the Attert Valley, similar habitats might support its conservation.
“The green tree frog is in significant decline, and reintroduction campaigns are underway in several reserves. We could hope for its natural spread to our forests or consider a reintroduction programme in partnership with Natagora,” he added.
In the meantime, several species of insects and frogs have already begun to inhabit the newly created ponds, marking an encouraging start for the project, according to Goffagne.
