Ponds are an essential freshwater habitat for plants and animals, and they play a central role in maintaining high regional biodiversity. In addition, ponds have many other functions relating to education, recreation, economy, hydrology, culture and aesthetics. Despite their importance, relatively few resources are invested in pond conservation in Europe. Furthermore, the scientific basis for the management and conservation of ponds is currently weak compared to the information available for

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... er freshwater habitats. Some national environment agencies from countries such as France, the United Kingdom and Switzerland, have recently developed elements of a national strategy for pond conservation. There is now need to strengthen and develop these initiatives and to build a common framework in order to establish a sound scientific basis for pond conservation in Europe. The European Pond Conservation Network (EPCN, www.europeanponds.org) was established at the First European Pond Workshop in Geneva, October 2004. The mission of the Network is to promote awareness, understanding and conservation of ponds in a changing European landscape. Specifically the objectives of the Network are: (1) to exchange information on pond ecology and conservation between researchers, managers and practitioners, (2) to promote understanding of pond ecology by encouraging the development and coordination of fundamental and applied research, (3) to raise the profile of ponds and guide national and supra-national policies for their protection, (4) to promote effective practical pond conservation, and (5) to disseminate information on the importance, attractiveness and conservation of ponds to the people. The "Pond Manifesto" presents the background and the motivations of the EPCN.