PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Good water management is necessary for human development to be sustainable: factors affecting rivers have led to the disappearance or decline of important species and to a loss of biodiversity. Water management, in particular, requires the protection and conservation of species that are reliable indicators of the ecological status of rivers. Thus, three species, identified as priority for conservation by the Habitats Directive, are targeted by this project: the white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes), freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera), and the thick shelled river mussel (Unio crassus). Other important species are also concerned: Brook lamprey (Lampetra planeri), European bullhead (Cottus gobio), and, indirectly, brown trout (Salmo trutta fario). All of these species, which are in significant decline, are very sensitive to physical modifications of their environment and/or to water quality. This project applies at the catchment area level the experience acquired from a previous project LIFE04 NAT/FR/000082 "Headwater streams and associated faunistic heritage".
OBJECTIVES
The project objectives are based around four main axes: restoration works on degraded habitats, changes in agro-silvicultural practices along the banks, removing obstacles to improve connectivity, and awareness raising. The restoration actions will involve the rehabilitation of 5 km of streams, removing 25 small and 7 large obstacles, placing 10.2 km of fences, 30 fordings or watering places and 16 permanent crossings points to protect the banks from cattle and agricutural and forestry vehicles, removing conifers along 10 km of banks (20ha) and replanting 4.5 km with natural vegetation, removing 7 km of Japanese knotweed and removing invasive alien crayfish, converting 15 ponds to limit diffuse pollution. The awareness raising work wil focus site managers, the general public, school children and elected representatives.
Expected results:
