New pond

The Irchel Campus will expand over the next few years. At the same time, it will undergo ecological improvements. To allow nature to begin preparing for future changes, new habitats are already being created, such as this pond complex.

This project is creating not only a recreational area with cooling effect, but also a mosaic of habitats
for many animal and plant species. In addition to the pea clam, fire salamander, and various
dragonflies, two species are being specifically supported: the snail Bithynia leachii and the water violet.

Bithynia leachii

This small species of freshwater snail is critically endangered and is found only in Irchelpark, Lake Zurich, and sporadically in the Limmat in Switzerland.
It is adapted to sandy or gravelly bottoms, requires reeds and rushes, and thrives in still or slow-moving waters such as these.

Water violet (Hottonia palustris)

In late May, keep an eye out for pale pink flowers protruding from the water's surface.
These belong to the water violet, a freshwater plant that is also highly endangered and depends on slow-flowing waters with moderate nutrient levels.

Diverse habitats are created through targeted measures that promote biodiversity. To ensure that the pond develops into a suitable habitat for the species in Irchelpark, the following steps were taken during its design:

1. In and around the pond, structurally rich elements were created, such as piles of prunings,
   sand patches, stone piles, and boulders, as well as piles of branches and roots. The latter
   are taken from the necessary removal of streamside shrubs and scattered trees in the park.
2. Native species were used for the landscaping and planting, preferably sourced from the local region. This was achieved, among other things, by transplanting cuttings from the Neeracherried area.
3. Climate adaptation was also taken into account. Numerous trees will provide shade in the future,
   while the water surface will provide cooling—for people, but also for
   animals and plants. By channelizing the Spitalerbach stream and creating the pond, the water system in Irchelpark was improved.