Swimming ponds are species-rich small water bodies. The water and all surfaces are populated with a myriad of diverse microorganisms.

Their amount is regulated by the available nutrients. They represent ecologically very valuable biotopes that give back the habitat to a large number of plant and animal species that they have recently lost in the landscape. This is confirmed by the biologists at Govern and Conseill.

One group of insects, the dragonflies, are particularly good bioindicators of species richness and water quality. Every owner of a swimming pond or natural pool knows them well. They fascinate with their flight acrobatics and shimmering colors.

The dragonflies lay their eggs, usually in flight, on the water surface. The larvae that hatch from this spend most of their entire lifespan, up to 4 years, in the water and go through several larval stages. In the final phase, the larva climbs out of the water on plant stems. There the finished dragonfly hatches and leaves behind the outer

skeleton of the larva, the so-called “Exuvia”. These are thin but strong chitinous shells that are easily collected and stored. Dragonfly experts can recognize the appropriate species and thus evaluate the water quality.

Out of scientific curiosity and in the hope of achieving a legal improvement for swimming ponds with the data obtained, I want to use this summer for a study.

I hereby invite all owners of a swimming pond, natural pool or other pond to participate. The "work" consists of repeatedly checking the plant stems for dragonfly larvae cases and keeping them in a dry container. In autumn I collect them and send them to an expert for evaluation, who will identify the species. I will provide each participant with a report on the species found.

If you are interested in participating in this study please confirm here….

I am very proud to present this pond that we created this winter for Rebecca Frayn and Andrew Harris in collaboration with the company Bioconstruccion Ibiza. It is part of a large eco-farm in the north of Ibiza. The finca has 30 hectares of land, 25 beehives, a permaculture vegetable garden and fruit tree plantations with traditional varieties and minimal water requirements. Holm oaks were also planted. Chickens, ducks and sheep are used for regenerative grazing, thus improving the soil and binding carbon.

The garden around the 500-year-old, lovingly restored finca was designed by the internationally recognized landscape planner Tom Stuart-Smith with drought-resistant Mediterranean plants that do almost entirely without irrigation.

“The over all concept is to create a case study project for a regenerative approach that is so seductive in execution and beauty that it helps inspire the wider systems changes that are so urgently needed now. To this end, the farm is entirely solar powered, and makes judicious use to the water that comes from an ancient spring on the land. In time the farm will host a variety of events, retreats and workshops that will try to help spread awareness of the urgent importance of ecological restoration on a global scale” explains Rebecca Frayn.

This article mentions the project:

Ibiza reborn – in search of the Balearics’ bohemian past

https://on.ft.com/3M6x3yb

A special concern in the design of the swimming pond was the most natural possible integration into the landscape, with the aspect of a quarry filled with water. In addition, it should serve as a source of drinking water for bees and birds and as a habitat for endangered animal and plant species and increase biodiversity. It was included in the list of potential water bodies for the reintroduction of the Balearic Green Toad, along with another small aquatic biotope that we created nearby.

It was filled and planted in March this year, the optimal planting test for aquatic plants. Already, after only 3 months, a solid underwater and pond edge vegetation has grown.