PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
This project was financed in instalments, through the LIFE projects: LIFE93 NAT/F/010400 and LIFE95 NAT/F/000524. For this reason, the same project may appear in different years' submissions.
The Crau in Provence, southern France, is one of the most remarkable semi-natural habitats in the EU. It is a dry stony steppe, unique in Europe that has developed on the ancient delta of the Durance river. It is dominated by a xérophilous vegetation, known locally as “coussoul”, typified by the presence of the onion-leaved asphodel (Asphodelus fistulosus). It supports one of the richest vegetation associations in the entire Mediterranean region, including several species endemic to the region (i.e. found nowhere else). The coussoul also supports a characteristic and specialised avifauna, with 18 bird species listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive including Bonelli’s eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus), little bustard (Tetrax tetrax), and the last French breeding population of the lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni), as well as the only European population of the pin-tailed sandgrouse (Pterocles alchata) outside the Iberian peninsula.
Despite its high conservation interest, the Crau is also one of the most threatened habitats in Europe. Traditionally an area of extensive grazing, its surface area has been reduced by 80% as a result of industrial developments, the extension of military bases, and changing agricultural practices as pastoral land is converted to arable crops. In a bid to reverse these alarming trends, the European Commission contributed financially to the first phase of the Crau conservation programme under its previous fund - ACE. One of the successful outcomes of this programme was the protection of the site as a special protection area (SPA) and it also incited the introduction of new environmentally friendly measures under Article 19 of the agri-environment Regulation 797/85.
This project aimed to consolidate the success of earlier conservation programmes, by securing core areas of the SPA through direct acquisition (part A); and undertaking scientific studies of key species, habitats and management practices that would be disseminated to stakeholders and the wider public (part B - LIFE projects LIFE93 NAT/F/010401 and LIFE95 NAT/F/001215).
OBJECTIVES
Part A of the project aimed to consolidate the success of earlier conservation programmes by:
1. Securing core areas of the SPA through direct acquisition of at least 2 000 ha.
2. Declaration of key conservation areas within the SPA as a nature reserve.
RESULTS
Part A of the project successfully achieved its objectives. More than 2 000 ha within the SPA was acquired and the project played a major role in the preparation and declaration of a nature reserve covering two-thirds of the SPA.
Specific results:
1. Some 2 153 ha within the SPA was purchased at five key sites centred on two core areas within the Crau (Crau central and Crau north-east) which are important nesting and wintering sites for little bustard (Tetrax tetrax), pin-tailed sandgrouse (Pterocles alchata) and stone-curlew.
The use of a professional land agency (SAFER) greatly facilitated the land acquisition negotiations and played a major role in achieving the land purchase targets within the timeframe of the project.
2. A proposition to declare a national nature reserve covering 7 692 ha of the Crau (7 576 ha in the SPA) was drawn up and has been adopted. The reserve was scheduled to be declared at the end of 1999 - Réserve naturelle nationale des Coussouls de Crau. Nearly all the remaining 4 000 ha of the SPA is managed following management agreements and agreed work plans.
In addition, as a result of the project, two potential SACs, supporting priority habitats and numerous species listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive were identified at “Crau central/Crau sèche” and “Crau humide/Maria de la Vallée des Baux”. Part A of the project successfully achieved its objectives. More than 2 000 ha within the SPA was acquired and the project played a major role in the preparation and declaration of a nature reserve covering two-thirds of the SPA.
Specific results:
1. Some 2 153 ha within the SPA was purchased at five key sites centred on two core areas within the Crau (Crau central and Crau north-east) which are important nesting and wintering sites for little bustard (Tetrax tetrax), pin-tailed sandgrouse (Pterocles alchata) and stone-curlew.
The use of a professional land agency (SAFER) greatly facilitated the land acquisition negotiations and played a major role in achieving the land purchase targets within the timeframe of the project.
2. A proposition to declare a national nature reserve covering 7 692 ha of the Crau (7 576 ha in the SPA) was drawn up and has been adopted. The reserve was scheduled to be declared at the end of 1999 - Réserve naturelle nationale des Coussouls de Crau. Nearly all the remaining 4 000 ha of the SPA is managed following management agreements and agreed work plans.
In addition, as a result of the project, two potential SACs, supporting priority habitats and numerous species listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive were identified at “Crau central/Crau sèche” and “Crau humide/Maria de la Vallée des Baux”.