PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The territory of Garrigues Gardoises, covering about 900 km², is a hotspot for biodiversity and offers a representative sample of Mediterranean biodiversity. As a genuine mosaic landscape, it includes a large variety of habitats and species of Community interest. Unfortunately, as in the rest of the Mediterranean region, a significant part of these habitats and species are under ‘unfavourable’ conservation status due to different types of pressures. These threats include the abandonment of extensive livestock farming practices, agricultural intensification and specialisation, light pollution, unsustainable forest management, invasive alien species, and the development of road/urban infrastructures.
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE TERRA MUSIVA project aims to restore and improve the conservation status of threatened habitat types of the Garrigues Gardoises Mediterranean ecological mosaic listed in the EU Habitats Directive, and consequently the conservation status of associated species listed in the Habitats Directive and Birds Directive, in particular by strengthening insect populations. The project area covers six Natura 2000 network sites.
Specifically, the project aims to:
- Restore 4 habitat types with ‘unfavourable’ and declining conservation status: Mediterranean temporary ponds (3170*); Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals of the Thero-Brachypodietea (6220*); Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (91E0*); and Salix alba and Populus alba gallery forests (92A0);
- Improve habitat quality for 9 species with 'unfavourable' conservation status:Bonelli's eagle (Aquila fasciata*), little bustard (Tetrax tetrax*),woodlark (Lullula arborea), tawny pipit (Anthus campestris), lesser mouse-eared bat (Myotis blythii),greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum),Geoffroy's bat (Myotis emarginatus),northern crested newt (Triturus cristatus), and thespadefoot toad Pelobates cultripes;
- Enhance insect populations: (i) as a species assemblage and indicator of the lower risk conservation status of habitat types (e.g. Odonates including Oxygastra curtisii for habitat type 3170*), (ii) as prey species on which species of Community’s interest depend directly or indirectly (Orthoptera), and (iii) as ecosystem service providers (e.g. dung beetles);
- Improve the coherence of the Natura 2000 network, backbone of the Green Infrastructure network on the territory, through the extension of the network and/or the establishment of protection status for natural areas outside the Natura 2000 site in the interest of ecological continuity;
- Develop biodiversity-friendly agricultural and pastoral practices;
- Engage local stakeholders for nature conservation, especially elected representatives;
- Consolidate, disseminate and transfer knowledge and methods for the protection, restoration, monitoring and assessment of these Mediterranean habitats and species.
RESULTS
Expected results:
- 554 ha of dry grasslands restored;
- Favourable conditions established for extensive grazing management: 10 km of fences installed, 4 watering holes created, pastoral management plan validated with 7 livestock farmers;
- Small structures created for prey species of Aquila fasciata: 18 rabbit warrens created, 300 rabbits released, 3 dovecotes installed with 600 pigeons, 10 ha of small game crops;
- 1 conservation easement signed on a reproduction site of Aquila fasciata (60 ha) and 15 conservation easements signed on plots with high value for habitat type 3170*;
- Natura 2000 site SPA FR9110081 extended by 1 200 ha in the plain of Saint-Chaptes for Tetrax tetrax;
- Strict protection tool established along the Cèze and Gardon rivers, covering 10 ha of habitat type 91E0* and 160 ha of habitat-type 92A0;
- Favourable habitats restored or created for Tetrax tetrax in the plain of Saint-Chaptes: 15 ha of grasslands restored, 25 ha of grasslands or lucerne fields created, 25 ha of vineyards with grass cover between the rows;
- 14 voluntary livestock farmers engaged in alternative management of parasites and 15 veterinarians trained;
- 10 farmers engaged in biodiversity-friendly farming practices following an individual diagnosis and 5 pilot agri-environmental projects financed;
- 20 farmers involved in the national observatory of farmland biodiversity;
- 15 ponds restored and 5 created;
- Barriers and crossing devices installed to prevent road mortality for amphibians;
- 8 capture sessions of Procambarus clarkii and release of predator fish; and
- Lights out or reduced use of 6 public lights around an important roost for bats.
