PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Mediterranean temporary ponds are priority habitats under the Habitats Directive. The ponds, which are extremely vulnerable, are home to many species listed in Annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive, such as Marsilea strigosa (strigose pepperwort), Triturus cristatus (great crested newt) and Triturus marmoratus (marbled newt). The ponds’ smallness, dispersion and only temporary submersion in water make them environments whose biological richness often passes unnoticed by humans. The ponds are often destroyed when the landscape is modified, usually as a result of a lack of consideration in land use decisions, for example concerning agricultural or hydrological development.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of the project was to help conserve Mediterranean temporary ponds by combining two approaches. The first consisted of taking action to support seven sites located in three regions of France: Roquehaute, Valliguières and Agenouillade (in Languedoc-Roussillon), Padulu (in Corsica), and Plaine des Maures, Besse et Flassans and la Colle du Rouet (in PACA). These sites presented a wide range of problems. Management plans were to be established for sites that did not yet have one. Land management (of 180 ha) and control of land use of the sites were foreseen to make it possible to carry out the restoration and management operations necessary for their conservation. The second approach was to develop a methodology for management of this type of habitat which could be transferred to the whole of the Mediterranean region, involving drawing up recommendations and management tools. This approach was to be based both on the experience acquired on the project sites and on experience from the whole Mediterranean basin. Various awareness-raising measures were foreseen to accompany the project, and in particular a teaching module for use in schools.
RESULTS
The project’s activities covered six major areas: 1/ The increase of knowledge and the drawing-up of management plans Inventories of the fauna, flora and human activities were completed for most sites, as well as some more indepth studies of species or locally-important topics: users' perception of the ponds, a detailed inventory of the micro-pools, monitoring of threatened species, etc. The results of these studies served as the basis for measures proposed in the management plans drawn up for three of the sites. Finally, an initial inventory of the temporary pools in Mediterranean France was carried out, which identified over 100 sites supporting almost 1,000 pools. 2/ Control over land ownership and land use Control over land use by organisations for the protection of natural habitats is a prerequisite for the management of temporary pools. In all, over 83 hectares were acquired within the framework of the project. In addition, management agreements with owners (private or communal) were arrived at on at least two sites, significantly increasing the area for which usage can be controlled in the medium-term. 3/ Management work Experimental management work took place on most of the sites, including scrub clearing, digging-out of pools, removal of invasive exotic species, and restoration of filled-in pools. Most of this work was accompanied by careful monitoring of its impact, in order to draw lessons that could be of relevance elsewhere. 4/ Raising awareness The various site teams regularly interacted with and provided information to local inhabitants, elected political representatives and users of the sites. Numerous awareness-raising, communication and environmental education initiatives took place: European “Green Days”, events for schools, leaflets, information panels, web pages, posters, educational module, press articles, TV programme, video cassette, etc. Local events were organised to encourage local inhabitants to protect the temporary pools. On the global scale, a resolution calling for the conservation of temporary pools was drawn up by the project and adopted at the eighth Ramsar Conference in November 2002. 5/ Integrated management The project determined the framework for discussion prior to the management work being undertaken. This allowed permanent exchanges to take place between the site managers and the scientists involved in the project: exchange visits between sites, theme-based workshops, coordination of the network, etc. Finally, a management handbook was published and a final international conference was also organised, bringing together almost 100 participants from all over Europe and the Mediterranean region. 6/ Coordination Permanent coordination between all the various activities and partners was organised throughout the project. A steering committee was set up and meetings organised, regular contacts were maintained with the European Commission and all the partners of the project. The main objectives of the project were achieved. Thanks to the project, knowledge of the habitats and management of temporary ponds has been increased, not only on the seven sites of the project but also in the French Mediterranean area in general, and even at an international level. The conservation status of the seven sites directly targeted by the project was improved. Only the Roquehaute site still faces major problems that potentially threaten the habitat.
