Source Pond Research Articles

Obtaining new records of critically endangered Potamogeton praelongus (Potamogetonaceae) depending on groundwater springs in northern coastal areas of Hokkaido, Japan

Potamogeton praelongus Wulfen is an aquatic macrophyte that is critically endangered in Japan. Although it is widely distributed throughout the boreal climatic zone, several European countries also recognize it as an endangered species. In Japan, it was once widely distributed throughout Hokkaido but has disappeared or reduced in abundance at its known locations. During 2020–2021, we discovered five new locations of this species in Wakkanai-shi and Sarufutsu-mura, Northern Hokkaido. Growing conditions must be suitable for this species in three of the five locations as it is present with several reproductive shoots or is widely distributed in source pond or lake. However, conditions were poor in the other two locations because few shoots were found or plants were observed only in 2020. Environmental conditions in the new locations were similar to those reported in Europe and North America. In three of the four locations at Wakkanai-shi, P. praelongus was distributed mainly along the eastern shore facing sand dunes, suggesting that the distribution of this species depends on groundwater springs flowing from sand dunes. Further populations may be discovered in the future by intensively surveying areas near springs since many sand dune lakes and similar environments are present in Hokkaido.

Occurrence of potential pathogenic and zoonotic bacteria in farmed fish in Machakos and Nyandarua Counties, Kenya

Bacteria can cause diseases in cultured fish. Some are zoonotic hence of public health significance. This study determined occurrence of potential fish pathogens and zoonotic bacteria in farmed fish in Machakos and Nyandarua counties. A cross-sectional study was done. Gills, intestines, skin swabs and kidney swabs from 75 fish and 15 source pond water samples were processed for bacterial culture and identification. These included 40 fish and 8 water samples from Machakos and 35 fish and 7 water samples from Nyandarua. Using conventional methods and Matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization- time of flight mass spectrometry, bacteria isolates were identified. A total of 322 bacterial isolates were identified, 182 from Machakos and 140 from Nyandarua, 299 from fish and 23 from water .They comprised 16 different bacteria genera and 20 species. Aeromonas was the most isolated bacterial genus at 32%, Bacillus 29%, Pseudomonas 21%, Flavobacterium 6%, Micrococcus 2.8% and Acinetobacter 2%,. Fish pathogen genera identified were Aeromonas, Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Enterococcus, Micrococcus, Enterobacter and Citrobacter. Zoonotic bacteria isolated were Aeromonas hydrophila, Aeromonas veronii, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas putida, Bacillus cereus, Citrobacter freundii, Hafnia alvei and Enterobacter cloaca. The highest proportion of isolates was from tilapia at 59%, followed by catfish at 35.5% and rainbow trout at 7.5%. Catfish had highest number of zoonotic bacteria genera (6), tilapia (5) and trout (3). Conclusively, fish from both counties harbor zoonotic and pathogenic bacteria which can cause fish and human illnesses. Awareness creation among farmers is paramount. Study data will help in policy development on prevention and control of the respective bacteria.

Forest edges and their effects on the arrival of dragonflies at north-temperate experimental ponds

The matrix, an environment in the landscape that individuals move through but do not reside in, can affect species dispersal and the arrival of individuals at habitat patches. Elements around this matrix that provide refuge or resources may shape the arrival of animals at habitat patches, even when those patches are equivalent in quality. Adult dragonflies (Odonata: Anisoptera) frequently use open terrestrial environments during movement and dispersal in north-temperate regions; however, they can also roost along forest edges. Because of the potential value of forest edges to adult dragonflies, we tested whether pond proximity (i.e., connectivity) to multiple forest edges was positively related to the abundance or diversity of arriving dragonflies. We observed dragonflies arriving at 9 experimental pond sites located within an open field landscape in Ontario, Canada. Experimental ponds differed in their distance to source ponds and to forest edges, a potential refuge for dragonflies. We found no effect of connectivity to forest edges or distance to source ponds on the abundance or diversity of dragonflies arriving at a site. Dragonfly dispersal was therefore not limited at the spatial scale of our study (<305 m to source ponds). In addition, dragonflies did not seem to discriminate among sites based on the amount of nearby forest edge, although all sites within the generally open landscape had at least some forest edge in close proximity (10–79 m). Our results provide greater insight regarding the decisions that dragonflies make in response to landscape elements while dispersing to reproductive habitats.

Case Studies Demonstrate That Common Carp Can Be Sustainably Reduced by Exploiting Source-Sink Dynamics in Midwestern Lakes

The common carp has been highly problematic in North American ecosystems since its introduction over a century ago. In many watersheds, its abundance appears to be driven by source-sink dynamics in which carp reproduce successfully in peripheral ponds that lack egg/larva micro-predators which then serve as sources of recruits for deeper lakes. This manuscript describes how carp were sustainably reduced in two chains of lakes by disrupting source-sink dynamics in three steps. First, we ascertained whether lakes had problematic densities of carp that could be explained by source-sink dynamics. Second, ways to control recruitment were developed and implemented including: (i) aerating source ponds to reduce hypoxia and increase micro-predator abundance, (ii) blocking carp migration, and (iii) locating and removing adults from sinks using targeted netting guided by Judas fish. Third, we monitored and adapted. Using this strategy, the density of carp in 3 lakes in one chain was reduced from 177 kg/ha to ~100 kg/ha in 3 years and held constant for a decade. Similarly, adult density was reduced from 300 kg carp/ha in 2 lakes in the other chain to 25 kg/ha. Once carp densities were low, aluminum sulfate treatments became reasonable and once conducted, water quality improved.

Large- and small-regional-scale variables interact in the dispersal patterns of aquatic macroinvertebrates from temporary ponds

Dispersal is one of the main determinants of metacommunity assembly, yet its interaction with the landscape network structure has not been fully elucidated. Large-scale regional factors such as the centrality–isolation gradient influence community abundance and richness, but small-scale regional factors, such as the direction or the distance among water bodies, might also influence them. Furthermore, the specific dispersal ability of each of the taxa will also determine this interaction. All these drivers are generally difficult to analyse together, but mesocosms usage combined with network analysis can help disentangle their relevance. We used these approaches to analyse how large and small regional factors influence dispersal dynamics. We set up several mesocosms around two source ponds with divergent locations within the network centrality–isolation gradient, at different distances and in different directions. We analysed macroinvertebrates composition and temporal trends throughout the hydroperiod considering the two regional factors: large (centrality–isolation gradient) and small (distance or direction separately) and dispersal ability (i.e. weak or strong). The large scale, being central or isolated, determined abundance and richness across the hydroperiod, with greater values in central locations. However, small regional factors, especially direction, modulated this trend making it similar to the central locations. Contrastingly, the small regional scales did not affect community composition, which differed along the large scale. Our results suggest that centrality–isolation plays a marked role in assembly processes favouring greater dispersal in central locations. However, this general pattern can be modulated by smaller regional factors and by intrinsic taxa dispersal ability, something that must be accounted within the metacommunity framework.

Comparison of bacterial communities in channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus culture ponds of an industrial ecological purification recirculating aquaculture system

The industrial aquaculture pond system has gradually replaced the use of traditional earthen pond, as it causes less pollution and is more economical. In this study, an industrial ecological purification recirculating aquaculture system consisting of the water source pond, high-density culture ponds, a deposit pond, and ecological purification ponds for channel catfish cultivation was established. Twelve water samples from different ponds were sequenced, and the bacterial communities were analysed. The abundances of Cyanobacteria and Merismopedia varied in different functional ponds of the system. The water quality was stable after two months of cultivation at 1.89 ± 0.22 mg/L total nitrogen, 1.1 ± 0.08 mg/L NH4-N and 0.43 ± 0.1 mg/L total phosphorus. The fish weight increased in a nearly linear manner, reaching 237.63 ± 23.8 per fish at day 120. An analysis of the environmental parameters, water quality and fish weight suggested that the system had an effective water purification process. Canonical correspondence analysis showed that the community was affected at the genus and phylum levels by different environmental parameters. We identified several dominant beneficial bacteria with nutrient removal abilities. Overall, our results demonstrated that the ecological purification recirculating aquaculture system had notable effects on water quality improvement and promoted changes in bacterial populations. These results provide important information on the microbial ecology of pond industrial eco-aquaculture systems.

INVESTIGATION ON ALGAL BIOMASS PROGRESSION IN POLLUTED POND WATER - THE WAY FORWARD

Municipal wastewater treatment is a global issue and an expensive process. Treatment of the wastewater using algal growth is a cost-effective approach, because of easy propagation of algae in wastewaters through utilization of most of the nutrients and in turn reduces the pollution load. As a preliminary research work, laboratory scale studies were done using native algal species collected from particular sources. They were grown in different pond waters to observe the biomass development in comparison to their growth in their original source pond water. Results showed that algal biomass was highest in the pond water, from which the algal sample was obtained followed by other pond water samples, artificial media and control. Biomass showed positive correlations with improvement in water quality parameters and a stationary phase was observed in the later stages of growth. The study also supports the use of native algal species for treatment of wastewaters. Excessive algal growth in water bodies is a serious environmental issue, however in a long-term perspective this biomass can also be harnessed for various other end uses along with wastewater treatment.

Positive correlation between dispersal and body size in Green Frogs (Rana clamitans) naturally colonizing an experimental landscape

Dispersers are often assumed to have the mean phenotype observed across the entire metapopulation, despite growing evidence of dispersal–phenotype correlations. We examined three dispersal–phenotype correlations in Green Frogs (Rana clamitans Latreille, 1801 = Lithobates clamitans (Latreille, 1801)). Two were in traits that have been previously tied to fitness (body size and body condition), while a third (relative hindlimb length) has been linked to movement performance. We constructed a spatially dispersed array of experimental ponds in close proximity to source ponds known to support Green Frog breeding populations. Over the course of two breeding seasons (four sampling periods), we measured phenotypes of all Green Frogs that had colonized the experimental ponds and a sample of individuals from the source ponds. After only 1 month, a positive correlation was detected between dispersal and body size within the population of dispersers occupying the experimental ponds. After a 2nd month, this positive dispersal – body size correlation was also present when comparing the population of dispersers to the population of nondispersers remaining at the source ponds. Even if generated solely by plasticity, a positive correlation between dispersal and body size (a trait tightly linked to fitness) has the ability to alter metapopulation capacity and thus the probability of regional species persistence.

Interplay between productivity and regional species pool determines community assembly in aquatic microcosms

The relative importance of deterministic and neutral processes in shaping assembly of communities remains controversial, partly due to inconsistencies between theoretical, empirical, and experimental studies. We investigate the interplay between local (productivity) and regional (size of species pool) assembly mechanisms in communities of phytoplankton and zooplankton in 72 experimental microcosms. Local environmental conditions were manipulated by varying the level of nutrients in the water (ambient, low, high). The size of regional species pool colonizing each microcosm was manipulated by mixing phytoplankton and zooplankton species from different numbers of source ponds (n = 2, 4, 8 and 16). Our results show that local communities assembled differently depending on the numbers of sources available for colonization. Microcosms with larger species pools supported greater numbers of species. In contrast, the effects of productivity led to different results across trophic groups. Phytoplankton communities were, on average, more diverse on more productive treatments, while zooplankton communities were more diverse under less productive treatments. Phytoplankton and zooplankton communities responded to both sources of variation, although the size of species pool was a better predictor of communities’ composition than the local effects of productivity. These results reinforce the view that community assembly is influenced by the interplay of both local and regional drivers but that the relative importance of these factors varies with trophic groups.

The preferred and avoidance temperatures of Thermocyclops crassus (Fischer, 1853) and their relation to the temperature of optimal, pessimal and normal performance of the species

The ranges of the preferred and avoided temperatures in representatives of Thermocyclops crassus (Fischer, 1853) were determined by the results of experimental testing in a thermogradient aparatus and comparison of the obtained values with field observations of the optimal, pessimal and tolerated temperature conditions of development of these populations in nature. Copepods were sampled from pond located near Borok, Yaroslavl region, Russia (58o02'57'' N; 38o14'56'' E). The ambient water temperature was 15.0°С. Temperature preference was determined by the “chronic” method. The phenology of development of Th. crassus was observed in the field of water bodies in Central and Volga Federal Districts of Russia. The final thermal preferendum (FTP) achievement occurred with an increase in the preferred temperature: when animals were placed at a temperature in the thermal gradient (14.0–15.0°C) that approximated the temperature of the source pond, they moved to warmer water until they chose FTP (26.7°C). Obtained the values of FTP (25–30°C), temperature of normal performance (21–32°C) and pessimal temperatures of 9–20 and 33°С well coincide with numerous field observations for temperature conditions of development of species in northern waterbodies of Holarctic and with the temperatures at which populations of Th. crassus thrive in southern waterbodies of Holarctic and in tropical lakes. It is concluded that, despite the historically long existence of the species in the reservoirs of the temperate climatic zone, the northern populations of Th. crassus retained the temperature responses characteristic of their southern sister populations. And although the species has adapted to life in northern reservoirs at lower temperatures, when it becomes possible to choose, cyclops prefer temperatures above 25°C, which are optimal for southern populations living in tropical waters. These data once again confirm that the horizontal thermal gradient method can be used to infer temperature tolerance of freshwater cyclopoid copepods in nature.

Determination of Drinking Water Quality: A Case Study on Saline Prone South-West Coastal Belt of Bangladesh

This research integrates quantitative data of underground and sub-surface sources of drinking water from two coastal union Gabura and Munshiganj of Shyamnagur upazila of Satkhira district. Four drinking water sources have been selected and sampled during dry season when the salinity rate is generally high. A total of 22 water samples have been collected of which 6 from protected pond, 6 from tube well, 6 from rainwater and 4 from pond sand filter (PSF). The average pH of tube well water, protected pond water, pond sand filter water and rain water were 6.59 (±.05), 6.46 (±1.03), 6.60 (±.52), 5.95 (±.87), respectively. The average EC (μs cm-1) range of tube well water, protected pond water, pond sand filter water and rain water were 2059.16 (±49.43), 1756 (±14), 769 (±94.27), 64.33(±59.91) while the TDS (ppm) range were 1319.97 (±31.69), 1125.64 (±913.46), 492.94 (±60.43) and 15.38 (±118.59) respectively. The maximum concentration of salinity was found in tube well water which was 1.37 (±53) ppt. Most of the protected ponds were highly contaminated with sulphate and it ranges from 84.64 to 218.25 ppm. The average number of fecal Coliform in protected ponds were 1650 100 m l-1 of water while in PSF source pond 2350 100ml-1 and collection point 1.5 100ml-1.J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 10(1): 101-108 2017

Cohort patterns in Rana tadpole metamorphosis

AbstractThis study explores the cohort patterns in a size versus time plot of individual metamorphs of Rana tadpoles. This meta‐study was based on a number of studies where any of three species of Rana tadpoles were raised in tanks under various treatments (variation in source pond, tadpole density, drying regime, hatching date, food level and competitors). A frequent pattern was found where there was an initial decrease in metamorph size as more slowly developing tadpoles metamorphosed. This negative trend sometimes changed to positive as later metamorphs appeared. The later metamorphs were often as large, or even larger, than those first to metamorphose, giving the plot a U‐shaped pattern. Also, a number of field studies of two of the Rana species’ were analysed for the same aspect. The U‐shaped pattern was much rarer but it did occur. A positive linear slope, rather than a negative one, was also found occasionally. A large number of factors affect the growth and development rates in tadpoles, adaptively and non‐adaptively, and thus determine their size at the time of metamorphosis. How these can contribute to the found metamorphosis patterns is discussed.

Bacteriological assessment of aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) water in southwest coastal Bangladesh

Safe drinking water is scarce in southwest coastal Bangladesh. Harvested rainwater and rain-fed pond water are the main sources of drinking water for people living in this area. Both government and non-government organizations are promoting aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) schemes to provide safe drinking water for this population. This study assessed the bacteriological quality of both source water and abstracted water from five ASR sites. Water sampling and laboratory analysis for indicator bacteria and physico-chemical parameters were conducted once every 2 months, over a period of 1 year. Samples were taken from source ponds, abstraction wells and household storage containers (point of use) for each of the ASR sites. Although the water from abstraction wells showed a 97% and 82% lowering of E. coli and Enterococci counts, respectively, from that of the source ponds, they did not satisfy the WHO drinking water standard. Moreover, the microbial quality of the water deteriorated at the point of use. This indicates the requirement for both in-house treatment and improved hygiene practice for consuming ASR water.

Spatial Context of Breeding Ponds and Forest Management Affect the Distribution and Population Dynamics of the Great Crested Newt

Intensive forest management and landscape degradation are threats to amphibian populations. We modelled and compared the extinction and colonization dynamics of the great crested newt in four different spatial contexts that describe landscape change from past to present and future forest landscapes in eastern Finland. In future landscape scenarios, we explored the effects of two forest use intensities with different logging rotation times. The introduction of fish into breeding ponds has been the main cause of local extinctions of the great crested newt. In the future, intensifying land-use and shorter logging rotation will decrease the connectivity between ponds the most. In conservation planning, more attention should be paid to the spatial arrangement of habitat patches, especially if the intensity of human impact will increase. Conservation effort must be targeted towards securing source ponds in the core area and towards enhancing connectivity.

Comparison of Spot and Time Weighted Averaging (TWA) Sampling with SPME-GC/MS Methods for Trihalomethane (THM) Analysis

Water samples were collected and analyzed for conductivity, pH, temperature and trihalomethanes (THMs) during the fall of 2014 at two monitored municipal drinking water source ponds. Both spot (or grab) and time weighted average (TWA) sampling methods were assessed over the same two day sampling time period. For spot sampling, replicate samples were taken at each site and analyzed within 12 h of sampling by both Headspace (HS)- and direct (DI)- solid phase microextraction (SPME) sampling/extraction methods followed by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). For TWA, a two day passive on-site TWA sampling was carried out at the same sampling points in the ponds. All SPME sampling methods undertaken used a 65-µm PDMS/DVB SPME fiber, which was found optimal for THM sampling. Sampling conditions were optimized in the laboratory using calibration standards of chloroform, bromoform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, 1,2-dibromoethane and 1,2-dichloroethane, prepared in aqueous solutions from analytical grade samples. Calibration curves for all methods with R2 values ranging from 0.985–0.998 (N = 5) over the quantitation linear range of 3–800 ppb were achieved. The different sampling methods were compared for quantification of the water samples, and results showed that DI- and TWA- sampling methods gave better data and analytical metrics. Addition of 10% wt./vol. of (NH4)2SO4 salt to the sampling vial was found to aid extraction of THMs by increasing GC peaks areas by about 10%, which resulted in lower detection limits for all techniques studied. However, for on-site TWA analysis of THMs in natural waters, the calibration standard(s) ionic strength conditions, must be carefully matched to natural water conditions to properly quantitate THM concentrations. The data obtained from the TWA method may better reflect actual natural water conditions.

Assessing risk of clogging in community scale managed aquifer recharge sites for drinking water in the coastal plain of south-west Bangladesh

Community scale managed aquifer recharge (MAR) has been implemented by infiltrating pond and rooftop rainwater into shallow, locally confined brackish aquifers in the southern deltaic plains of Bangladesh for providing safe drinking water. This paper mainly deals with the risks of physical clogging and the issues of clogging related to aquifer material, design, drilling and construction methods at 20 sites. Risk of chemical and biochemical clogging has also been briefly discussed. High turbidity in the source pond water is mainly responsible for physical clogging. In order to reduce the turbidity MAR system has been designed with an over ground double chambered filtration tank with a graded sand filter in one chamber. Pond water is pumped into the filtration tank to pass through sand filter. Efficiency of turbidity removal is assessed by measuring turbidity of water at the source pond, after passing though the sand filter and at the abstraction well. The turbidity of source (pond) water ranges from 50 to 150 NTU decreases to 5 NTU after passing through the sand filter in most of the sites. Clogging is assessed by performing falling head tests at each recharge well at number of times during the operation of the test sites. A maximum infiltration rate of 6m3/day has been achieved at a number of sites where the average is about 3m3/day. Relatively high nutrient content present both in source and groundwater water could cause biological clogging. Probability of clogging due to clay swelling should be considered due to salinity difference of source and groundwater although sodium adsorption ratio has been observed to be reduced which reduce the risk of reduction of permeability. There is possibility of chemical plugging in the aquifer and around the well from the precipitation of iron bearing minerals as iron concentration has been observed to be reduced.Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 27(1): 75-86, June-2014

Genotypic diversity and differentiation among populations of two benthic freshwater diatoms as revealed by microsatellites.

Given their large population sizes and presumed high dispersal capacity, protists are expected to exhibit homogeneous population structure over large spatial scales. On the other hand, the fragmented and short-lived nature of the lentic freshwater habitats that many protists inhabit promotes strong population differentiation. We used microsatellites in two benthic freshwater diatoms, Eunotia bilunaris 'robust' and Sellaphora capitata, sampled from within a pond and connected ponds, through isolated ponds from the same region to western Europe to determine the spatial scale at which differentiation appears. Because periods of low genotypic diversity contribute to population differentiation, we also assessed genotypic diversity. While genotypic diversity was very high to maximal in most samples of both species, some had a markedly lower diversity, with up to half (Eunotia) and over 90% (Sellaphora) of the strains having the same multilocus genotype. Population differentiation showed an isolation-by-distance pattern with very low standardized FST values between samples from the same or connected ponds but high values between isolated ponds, even when situated in the same region. Partial rbcL sequences in Eunotia were consistent with this pattern as isolated ponds in the same region could differ widely in haplotype composition. Populations identified by Structure corresponded to the source ponds, confirming that 'pond' is the main factor structuring these populations. We conclude that freshwater benthic diatom populations are highly fragmented on a regional scale, reflecting either less dispersal than is often assumed or reduced establishment success of immigrants, so that dispersal does not translate into gene flow.

Temporal and Spatial Distribution of the Microbial Community of Winogradsky Columns.

Winogradsky columns are model microbial ecosystems prepared by adding pond sediment to a clear cylinder with additional supplements and incubated with light. Environmental gradients develop within the column creating diverse niches that allow enrichment of specific bacteria. The enrichment culture can be used to study soil and sediment microbial community structure and function. In this study we used a 16S rRNA gene survey to characterize the microbial community dynamics during Winogradsky column development to determine the rate and extent of change from the source sediment community. Over a period of 60 days, the microbial community changed from the founding pond sediment population: Cyanobacteria, Chloroflexi, Nitrospirae, and Planctomycetes increased in relative abundance over time, while most Proteobacteria decreased in relative abundance. A unique, light-dependent surface biofilm community formed by 60 days that was less diverse and dominated by a few highly abundant bacteria. 67–72% of the surface community was comprised of highly enriched taxa that were rare in the source pond sediment, including the Cyanobacteria Anabaena, a member of the Gemmatimonadetes phylum, and a member of the Chloroflexi class Anaerolinea. This indicates that rare taxa can become abundant under appropriate environmental conditions and supports the hypothesis that rare taxa serve as a microbial seed bank. We also present preliminary findings that suggest that bacteriophages may be active in the Winogradsky community. The dynamics of certain taxa, most notably the Cyanobacteria, showed a bloom-and-decline pattern, consistent with bacteriophage predation as predicted in the kill-the-winner hypothesis. Time-lapse photography also supported the possibility of bacteriophage activity, revealing a pattern of colony clearance similar to formation of viral plaques. The Winogradsky column, a technique developed early in the history of microbial ecology to enrich soil microbes, may therefore be a useful model system to investigate both microbial and viral ecology.

Increasing Pond Density to Maintain a Patchy Habitat Network of the European Treefrog (Hyla arborea)

Abstract Conservation measures to increase or maintain habitat networks in pond-dwelling amphibians often consist of new breeding ponds to supplement existing ones. We examined the effectiveness of this conservation measure in the European Treefrog (Hyla arborea) by evaluating the speed of colonization and the origin of colonizers using field surveys and genetic methods in an intensively managed agricultural area in Switzerland. One to three years after pond construction, 85 European Treefrogs were found at new ponds, and of these, 30 were identified as migrants by genetic assignment tests. We observed a negative correlation between the number of migrants and geographical distance (r = −0.33): 66% of colonizers originated from ponds nearby (up to 500 m); 30% stemmed from source ponds located at distances between 500 and 2,500 m; and 4% originated from distant ponds (2,500 to 5,400 m). Four colonizers crossed a 25-m wide river. These results show that Treefrogs rapidly colonize new ponds and that the gene ...

Freshwater biodiversity under warming pressure in the Alps: a methodological framework for prioritization of restoration areas for small waterbodies

Freshwater biodiversity has shown to be highly vulnerable to climate warming. Boreo-alpine species are especially at risk in the Alps because they have to migrate to higher elevations to avoid local extinction. Effects of climate warming could be partly counteracted by creating new freshwater habitats: this would boost the population sizes of the endangered species and would increase the connectivity between Alpine waterbodies to facilitate the species’ upward dispersal and colonization of new habitats. Nevertheless, the localization of new habitats has to be carefully chosen, as successful restoration (or habitat creation) depends on many abiotic and ecological variables (e. g. habitats density and quality, connection between bodies of water, presence of targeted species, resistance of landscape to species movements). Furthermore, various socioeconomic drivers and actors determine the land and water uses in the Alps. Therefore we developed an innovative method for prioritization of areas for creation (or restoration) of small bodies of water, taking into account both ecological parameters (from species to landscape) and social ones. The method was developed in a test area (130 km 2 , in Canton Valais, Switzerland) representative of the Swiss Alpine landscapes and their associated socioeconomic activities. The proposed methodological framework consists of four steps which allow refining the geographical area to propose two or three small areas (some hectares) suitable for the creation of small water bodies. The first step investigates the regional scale, often several thousand km 2 , with a focus on environmental considerations: presence of historical or contemporary wetlands and waterbodies, presence of cold stenotherm species, and favourable landscape (in terms of land use) and socioeconomic context. The second step identifies areas of biological connectivity between source ponds and future host ponds for cold stenotherm species, taking into account the distance between source and host ponds and landscape resistance to the movements of pro pagules, finally highlighting the migration corridors. The third step checks the preselected areas with the aim of discarding catchments impaired by selective or diffuse pollutions. The fourth and final step is intended to enhance the probability of the project’s social acceptance: qualitative interviews and field observations are conducted on a local scale (often one km 2