PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The protection and conservation of coastal habitats is a major issue across Europe. The Marais poitevin was formed as a result of the filling of Picton's gulf with sediments from the ocean. The marsh is the meeting point of the marine environment, the inner wetland and the migration routes, which explains the extraordinary biodiversity it hosts. Over the centuries, human activities have contributed to the diversification of habitats. However, the modernisation of agricultural practices together with coastal urbanisation has gradually increased pressure on the natural environment.
In addition, recent climatic events (such as the storms Martin in 1999 and Xynthia in 2010) have underlined the impact of the ocean on Marais poitevin. Such phenomena and the prospect of global warming mean that the territory must adapt its protection strategy to the whims of the sea. Public authorities, however, are now realising the important role that coastal habitats can play in providing protection against such impacts.
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE Baie de l'Aiguillon project aimed to adopt an integrated approach to strengthen the intrinsic natural value of Aiguillon Bay while valuing the coastal habitats as an efficient ways of protecting the territory. Specifically, the project aimed to:
- Restore the disturbed Aiguillon Bay and Aiguillon Pointe habitats and limit the negative effects of mass tourism;
- Strengthen the role of coastal habitats to offer passive resistance to sea floods;
- Understand the interactions between the wetland of the Marais poitevin and the Aiguillon Bay in order to inform the management strategies; and
- Promote the richness of these ecosystems, and explain their functioning and role.
RESULTS
LIFE Baie de l'Aiguillon helped to improve the conservation status of coastal habitats at three sites in France (Baie de l'Aiguillon, Pointe de l'Aiguillon, and Prée Mizottière). This was achieved through habitat restoration, which also increased the habitats’ role in climate change mitigation, and by improving the understanding of interactions between the wetlands of the Marais poitevin and Aiguillon Bay to guide management strategies.
In Aiguillon bay, 118 ha of mudflat habitats were cleaned of old wild oyster deposits, making it possible to restore the sediment dynamics of the bay and to prevent new larvae recruitment in the treated areas. With this specific aim, the project’s sub-contractor designed an innovative machine which will continue to be used by shellfish farmers who are bound by law to restore exploited areas once they have stopped their activities, and until now have had no easy way of doing so.
In Pointe de l'Aiguillon, a total of 13.6 ha of dune habitats and 4.17 ha of salt meadows have been restored. Positive impacts were recorded for local avifauna, with 36 bird species identified after the restoration work, among which the greater short-toed lark (Calandrella brachydactyla) is considered endangered in France. The results also confirmed that some species that are characteristic of sand dunes and salt meadows are already nesting in restored areas, including Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus).
In the Prée Mizottière site, water levels management has been improved on 20 ha of agricultural land (grassland with cattle) making this area more favourable for Eurasian teal (Anas crecca). 10 ha of salt meadows were restored. The reconnection of 10 ha to the sea has a high demonstration value, first because coastal farmers are generally strongly opposed to the idea of giving back productive land to the sea; and second because of the high scientific value of this area, which is one of the first in France to be voluntarily reconnected to the sea.
The knowledge acquired has helped raise awareness of local stakeholders, and was used to revise the management plan of the nature reserve area of Aiguillon bay.
To spread their message, the project team created "scientific shows" featuring a climate change specialist, an artist who translated scientific explanations into easy-to-understand drawings, and a professional comedian. First performed during the international seminar on adaptation of coastal marshes to climate change in 2018, it has since been replicated at least seven times. The success of the show in coastal municipalities led to another show being designed post-LIFE on the same model.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).
