PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The Causses du Quercy form part of the largest area of dry grasslands in France and together with the Grands Causses of Aveyron and Languedoc they cover over 200 000 ha. The quality of the whole area is reflected in the presence of 20 types of habitat and nine species of Community interest, such as the butterfly Callimorpha quadripunctaria. This natural heritage is the result of grazing activities which allowed the area to remain semi-open. Changes in breeding practices and the reduction in herds led to the abandoning of a large part of these areas. The natural development of bush and woodland is leading to the gradual disappearance of semi-open spaces and a loss of biodiversity.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of the project is to conserve the quality and ecological diversity of dry grasslands in the Causses du Quercy along with the complementary habitats which make up the local eco-system (ravine forests, caves, calcareous beech forests, cliff vegetation and calcareous slopes, etc.). The project ties in with a local programme supported by the Structural Funds. For the restoration and management of the habitats, the project focuses on partnership with the agricultural profession. It is planned to restore 795 ha of habitats of community interest and to reintroduce suitable ecological management on almost 1665 ha of abandoned dried grasslands and heaths. The objective is to reintegrate these areas into a traditional system of farming which is economically viable. Isolated operations to restore small ponds (25), bat caves (8) and sensitive forest habitats are also planned. The project will seek the commitment and involvement of relevant local people through awareness-raising measures and training. It will contribute to the implementation of an inter-regional strategy for conservation and awareness-raising throughout the Causses.
RESULTS
The project sought to conserve the quality and the ecological diversity of a representative set of dry calcareous grasslands and heaths within 7 pSCI in the Causses du Quercy along with the complementary habitats which make up the local ecosystem (ravine forests, caves, ponds, calcareous beech forests, cliff vegetation and calcareous slopes). Due to several difficulties, the actions were concentrated on the dry grasslands, caves and ponds, and no action was implemented on the other habitats initially targeted Concerning the dry grasslands habitat types, the project succeeded in restoring and preserving 888 ha through appropriate management (sheep grazing). The rehabilitation work consisted in opening 730 ha of pastures in decline or abandoned in order to reintegrate these areas into an economically viable traditional system of farming. This work was carried out in the framework of management agreements between the Parc Naturel Regional and the 31 farmers or farming associations concerned. The restoration costs were partly covered by LIFE (80%) and partly by the farmers (20%) who committed themselves to managing these lands in an appropriate way for five years after signing their contracts. At the end of this period, other specific schemes will have to be implemented to ensure continuous management, in particular through an adequate agro-environmental policy (Community Rural Development Fund). The project cleaned up and protected 8 caves harbouring bat species. In the framework of free 10-year agreements between the beneficiary, owners and users (county caving association), these caves were equipped with grids to be closed during the breeding and wintering seasons. A signboard was installed in front of each cave to inform the public of the reasons for the restricted access. The project contributed to the preservation of 8 ponds (at the beginning of the project another 35 ponds were preserved by equivalent actions co-financed by the Structural Funds). The actions consisted of restoring the access to the ponds for sheep livestock, cleaning out the ponds by removing vegetation and vegetable matter, and ensuring water retaining. The maintenance of the restored ponds was managed through free 10-year agreements between the beneficiary and owners. These water points, scattered over the dry habitats of the Causses, are essential both for wildlife and livestock. Some communication actions towards the general public were undertaken, including field visits and local information meetings. Two main documents were produced: a 30-page brochure presenting the typical habitats and species of the Causses and the ways to preserve them, and four issues of a newsletter distributed inside the Natural Park. The close collaboration developed in this project between the beneficiary, agricultural associations and farmers should guarantee the continuation of these actions and the successful management these habitats.
