PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
It is estimated that more than 80% of cultivated and non-cultivated plants in Europe depend on insect pollination. Insects also play an important role in numerous food chains. Yet several recent studies, notably carried out in Germany, have highlighted an alarming decline of insect populations over the last 30 years. Little information is available for France as regards the Order Hymenoptera (bees and wasps), for example, where up to 70% of species identified on the French red list are considered to bedata deficient. The decline of these insect populations is mostly linked to human activities. In Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the natural landscape in which these species potentially thrive, has been highly fragmented. Open flower-rich grasslands of the Region declined sharply due to agricultural intensification and infrastructures development. A National Action Plan on Pollinators was set up between 2016 and 2020. The five Regional Natural Parks involved in the project are joining forces to follow up on the Action Plan.
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE - Wild Bees project will support the French National Action Plan on Pollinators through actions that increase wild bee populations in natural parks in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
Specifically, the project aims to:
Enhance knowledge on wild bee species in the New Aquitaine Region to set up more effective conservation measures; Re-establish habitats favourable to wild bees and link these up through ecological corridors, in line with French and European sectoral policies; Get municipalities and the general public to make public/private green spaces more favourable for wild bees; and Share knowledge and acquired best practices amongst regional professionals, stakeholders, and citizens. The project will contribute to the implementation of the EU Habitats Directive and (indirectly) the Birds Directive, and the EU Biodiversity Strategy.
RESULTS
Expected results:
At least two scientific publications on Hymenoptera populations in New Aquitaine, and to make data from inventories carried out within the project readily available; The conservation of Hymenoptera populations integrated into the management plans of the 273 high conservation value sites present in the 5 natural parks involved in the project; Restoration actions in favour of wild bees carried out on 5 950 ha; Agri-environmental measures redefined so as to apply wild bee favourable practices.The aim is to have 600 ha of agricultural land implement wild bee friendly measures over a 5-year period; Ecological corridors favourable for wild bees established on energy (electricity and gas) and transport infrastructures on 500 km/year; A local melliferous seeds mix distributed to all households in the projects 5 natural parks (100 200 households); Best practice implementation guides produced and distributed (stakeholders, farmers, general public); and Community initiatives in favour of wild bees supported.
