PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Declining farmland biodiversity and ecosystem degradation all over Europe is an increasing threat, mainly because of agricultural intensification. Arthropod communities have been significantly affected, with sharp and widespread declines in biomass, abundance and diversity. Grasslands are particularly at risk. Europe is rapidly losing its grassland ecosystems, while remaining patches are under pressure.
In southern France, the "Coussoul" is a unique dry grassland of the Crau plain renowned for its biodiversity. Transhumant (seasonal movement of livestock between pastures) extensive sheep grazing remains the dominant practice, and greatly contributes to preserving its biodiversity. The Coussouls de Crau National Nature Reserve (covering more than 7 400 ha) is a strictly protected area. It is also part of the Natura 2000 network.
The Crau plain grasshopper (Prionotropis rhodanica) is endemic to the Coussoul. It is classed as critically endangered on the global IUCN Red List, on the European Red List and on the French and regional red lists. It is protected under French law. Four main threats for this species have been identified: small population size; destruction of steppe habitat; climate change, which may have reduced steppe resilience to traditional grazing; and predation by gregarious insectivorous birds. Despite recent actions, the conservation status of P. rhodanica remains alarming. Ambitious conservation efforts are proposed in this LIFE project to prevent extinction in the wild.
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE SOS Crau Grasshopper project aims to improve the conservation status of the critically endangered P. rhodanica. The main long-term goal is to reinforce and reconnect remaining subpopulations by increasing population size and distribution area.
It will be based on 4 key objectives:
- Increasing favourable habitat by adaptive grazing management;
- Reducing predation by colonial insectivorous bird species;
- Improving breeding success in captivity and starting a reintroduction programme; and
- Communication, education and awareness raising among local stakeholders, the general public and institutions.
RESULTS
Expected results:
- Grazing management adapted on at least 1,400 ha of Coussoul habitat;
- Almost 50 ha of Coussoul habitat restored/reopened to decrease grazing pressure in habitats of P. rhodanica, improving habitat quality;
- Measures applied on 100 ha to reduce predation by bird species, e.g. mobile fencing during the activity period of P. rhodanica;
- Translocation of 1-2 colonies of lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) tested, if necessary, to decrease predation risk over 500 ha;
- Increased captive breeding capacity: 7 pairs in Correze, 10 pairs in Besançon and 10 pairs in La Barben;
- Increased capacity for outdoor egg pod development: 1 site in La Barben, 2 sites in situ (Crau);
- Annual transfer of 80 egg pods produced ex situ to breeding stations in situ;
- At least 150 nymphs hatched each year in captivity;
- 80-100 individuals released on each of 2 or 3 reintroduction sites;
- 10% increase in the P. rhodanica distribution area in the wild;
- 500 000 visitors to Besançon and La Barben zoos informed about the project every year;
- A travelling exhibition, featuring the link between grazing activities and biodiversity, complementing the permanent exhibition in the Crau Ecomusée;
- Training courses for 30 university students and 20 students of a herders’ school on Crau habitat and P. rhodanica ecology, as well as training for 10 sheep breeders and herders; and
- Technical guide showing the link between grazing activities, dry grassland and biodiversity, distributed to sheep breeders, herders and institutions.
