The client asked our Habitat Restoration team to transform a monoculture landscape into a thriving, biodiverse ecosystem.
Wildlife Pond, Lanivet
Client brief
The client engaged the Habitat Restoration team to transform a monoculture landscape into a thriving, biodiverse ecosystem. The project centred on creating a wildlife pond as the first step toward ecological enrichment, providing vital water resources and new habitats for a range of species. This initiative also included preparing the surrounding area for an orchard, further enhancing biodiversity and creating a mosaic of interconnected habitats for wildlife to flourish.
THRC solution
- Site Marking & Planning – The pond location was marked midway on a hillside, with the intention of establishing an orchard on the slope above.
- Excavation & Shaping – Using a 3 Tonne excavator, we removed the grass and started to pile the loose soil downhill. This would help towards creating a berm and levelling the pond. Subsoil was excavated from the deep centre and piled separately.
- Stone removal & liner protection – Once the pond shape and depth were finalised, stones were removed to prevent any punctures to the liner. A protective underlay and overlay were installed to safeguard the liner.
- Subsoil backfill – The subsoil that was separated was then used to put back onto the liner. Using subsoil is very important as it has low nutrient levels, which aquatic plants prefer, and doesn’t add high nutrients into the water, preventing excess algae growth and unbalanced pH levels.
- Filling & settling – The pond was carefully filled with water, using a bucket to disperse the flow and prevent erosion from the pressure of a hose. It was then left for 24–48 hours, allowing any residual toxins or metals in the water to naturally dissipate before planting and wildlife introduction.
End Result
The landowner’s vision was to transform a monoculture ryegrass field into a thriving orchard rich in biodiversity. A newly created wildlife pond now sits at the heart of this transformation, acting as both an ecological anchor and a practical feature.
Far more than a water source, the pond functions as a biodiversity hotspot within an otherwise uniform landscape. It supports birds, amphibians, insects, and native plants that struggle to survive in intensive arable systems. By attracting natural pest predators such as frogs, beetles, and birds, the pond also reduces reliance on chemical pesticides—helping the orchard to flourish as a healthier, more resilient ecosystem capable of producing strong yields.
