Restoration of priority habitats and species of Community Interest in the Valbonne military camp

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The Valbonne military camp is one of the major lowland dry grassland areas in the Provence-Alpes-Cte d'Azur region in southeastern France, in terms of surface area (1 400 ha) and natural heritage. It includes three Natura 2000 network sites: the Steppes de la Valbonne (SCA and SPA) covering 1 124 ha and the Milieux alluviaux et aquatiques du fleuve Rhne, de Jons Anthon (SCA) covering 7 ha. These sites host 5 grasslenad and wetland habitat types listed in the Habitats Directive, among which 2 are priority dry grassland habitats, as well as 22 species of Community interest, of which 2 are priority bird species, the little bustard (Tetrax tetrax) and the red-footed falcon (Falco vespertinus). These habitats and species are threatened due to inappropriate management, overgrowth, invasive alien species, land use changes, increased use of motorised vehicles, and hunting.

OBJECTIVES

The LIFE VALBONNE project aims to:

restore 700 ha of priority grassland habitats of the Habitats Directive, and ensure the long-term conservation of 1 000 ha of two priority grassland habitats, Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates and Xeric sand calcareous grasslands, with the eradication of invasive alien species;

support Tetrax tetrax continental populations with reintroductions and habitat enhancement measures on the military site, in line with the species national action plan;

restore all the wetlands, including the priority habitats Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior and Calcareous fens with Cladium mariscus and species of the Caricion davallianae, on the Natura 2000 sites, with the eradication of invasive alien species;

set up an integrated management system for military and hunting activity according to ecological priorities, to ensure that the project's actions are maintained after-LIFE; and

raise awareness and increase support for the Natura 2000 network among military staff, hunters and the local population.

RESULTS

The LIFE VALBONNE project is expected to benefit grassland habitat types of the Habitats Directive, including two priority dry grassland habitats), with:

restoration of 700 ha of these habitats, and then the sustainable management of 1 000 ha (or 100%);

increased floral diversity, especially orchid (e.g. Orchis spp.) diversity and other protected species, such as Pusatilla rubra, Ranunculus gramineus, and Stipa eriocaulis; and

removal of human pressures (e.g. motorised leisure vehicles).

It is also expected to benefit wetland habitats, with the:

creation of 1.5 ha of calcareous fens from a poplar plantation;

improved state of conservation of 3 ha of alluvial forests;

doubling the area of standing water habitat types by draining tributaries;

increasing habitat attractiveness for species of Community interest such as Coenagrion mercuriale and Vertigo moulinsiana, and as a hunting area for bats; and

restoring populations of breeding birds from Annex I of the Birds Directive, such as Acrocephalus scirpaceus and Acrocephalus schoenobaenus.

 

Regarding the species targeted by the project, the expected results are the following:

nesting of Tetrax tetrax, with presence at least of 10 singing males at the end of the project;

presence of the priority migrating species Falco vespertinus;

stabilisation ofthe number of pairs of Burhinus oedicnemus by controlling scrubland development;

increase in Caprimulgus europaeus populations from 20 to 30 pairs, by reopening habitat mosaic areas;

stabilisation of 2 pairs of Circus pygargus and Circus cyaneus (irregular reproduction at the beginning of the project);

increase from 10 to 30 pairs of Lanius collurio, through the reopening of dry grasslands and an increase in food (insects) through grazing of open areas;

increase from 10 to 20 pairs of Lullula arborea through the reopening of dry grasslands;

stabilisation of pairs of Milvus migrans and Pernis apivorus;

establishment of 3 to 6 breeding pairs of

Numenius arquata;

proof of the presence of Falco subbuteo, Falco colombarius and Circaetus gallicus;

favourable conditions for the return of Anthus campestris, Asio flammeus, Emberiza hortulana;

preservation of existing bat populations (Myotis emarginatus, M. bechsteini, M. myotis, M. blythii) through improved attractiveness of hunting areas, and more favourable conditions for new bat species; and

double the populations of Vertigo moulinsiana and Coenagrion mercuriale.

Finally, the awareness-raising actions are expected to reach more than 5 000 people, both civilian and military, at local and national level.