PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The Pyrenean desman (Galemys pyrenaicus) is a small semi-aquatic mammal that was discovered in 1811. Its distribution worldwide is restricted to the north-western Iberian Peninsula and the Pyrenean mountain range, a habitat that is seriously threatened by fragmentation.
Since 2010, the DREAL Midi-Pyrénées in collaboration with the CEN MP has been carrying out an action plan for the protection of the Desman. This five-year plan includes 25 actions to stop the French desman population decreasing and to develop operational conservation methods. The Pyrenean desman is listed in Annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive.
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE+ DESMAN project would improve the desman’s long-term conservation status in 11 Natura 2000 sites in three French regions. This would be achieved by improving knowledge on the species distribution and the impact of human activities, adapting practices in hydro-electricity production, waterworks developments and water sports, restoring river segments using innovative techniques, building capacity and raising the awareness of key stakeholders i.e.hydro-power plant managers, water sport practitioners, environmental authorities and the local population. The aim was to ensure that all Pyrenean aquatic habitat development and maintenance actions take the desman. into consideration The management methods, which would be applied to the entire French Pyrenees, would enhance the habitat’s hosting capacity (living conditions for the desman) and facilitate the ecological continuity of the area’s rivers.
RESULTS
LIFE+ DESMAN improved the conservation status of the endangered Pyrenean desman (Galemys pyrenaicus), a small nocturnal semi-aquatic mammal, in 11 Natura 2000 network sites in the French Pyrenees.
The project team’s actions significantly contributed to:
- Increased knowledge and greater awareness on the conservation status of the Pyrenean desman, and the fragmentation of its habitats, which has led to the revision of the French IUCN conservation status of the species, from 'nearly threatened' to 'vulnerable'.
- A systematic consideration of the species and its habitat in development projects (environmental impact assessments), thanks to an alert mapping tool designed at the scale of the whole French Pyrenean mountains, guidance documents, training sessions and efficient cooperation with the environmental authorities, especially with the regional services of the Ministry of Ecology.
- Better consideration of the Pyrenean desman in hydropower management practices, by assessing the impact of hydropower production on the species and its habitats, which is leading to a new method for the calculation of minimum biological water flows specifically for the species.
- Testing river restoration or management practices to improve habitats or reduce mortality risks, which can be easily replicated thanks to their low costs and the project’s guidance documents.
- Shedding light on this cryptic species, which is poorly known even by local people.
The project began at the end of the first French national action plan for the Pyrenean desman (2009-2014). It benefitted from the experience acquired within this plan, and the project results contributed to the definition of a second national action plan for 2021-2030, which represents in fact the after-LIFE plan.
The project results have been well disseminated, and this is expected to be pursued especially towards Spanish partners, to reinforce cooperation. The project team developed a number of comprehensive publications on the species, as well as an innovative mobile information and activity centre called "La Caravane du Desman" that has had significant impacts at the local level.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's Layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).
