LIFE Marais - Conservation of the most remarkables habitats and species of the Poitevin Marshes LIFE04 NAT/FR/000087

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1 LIFE Marais - Conservation of the most remarkables habitats and species of the Poitevin Marshes LIFE04 NAT/FR/ Project description Environmental issues Beneficiaries Administrative data Read more Contact details: Project Manager: Alain TEXIER Tel: Fax: a.texier@parc-marais-poitevin.fr Project description: Background Spanning two regions in western France, the Poitevin Marshes ('Marais Poitevin') area is listed as a wetland of international importance according to the Ramsar convention. Some ha of marsh is designated as a psci and ha as an SPA. Once contiguous, the marsh is now divided into three main areas because of the spread of intensive agriculture. The coastal zone is characterised by mud flats, salt meadows and dunes, the core area by flooded salt meadows (wet marshes), non-flooded salt meadows (dried marshes) and an important network of waterways. Green Venice is an area under exclusive fresh water influence, characterised by alluvial forests and hedged farmlands with ash-alder stands, and locally alkaline fens and bogs. The site is seriously endangered by intensive agriculture, lack of adequate water management and the absence of traditional management of meadows, alluvial forests and streams. Typical species are threatened by disturbance and (in the case of the European otter Lutra lutra - collision with vehicles. Objectives The objective of this LIFE Nature project was to improve the conservation status

2 of the Marais de Poitevin Natura 2000 site, and of its species and habitats, through the following actions: Restoring 317 ha of natural grasslands and km of the hydrographic network; Purchasing 65 ha of land to carry out specific species/habitat restoration works; Improving knowledge of the marsh and its species, in order to improve management techniques; Drawing up a management plan for ha of marshes used as a collective pasture; Setting-up a technical protocol to convert cultivated lands into grasslands; Implementing an existing action plan for the European otter; and Carrying out an awareness campaign at local, national and European level about the ecological value of the site. Results Most of the initial objectives were met: The project restored 384 ha of habitats (wetlands, reed beds, sand dunes, humid forest) and 13 km of ditches. The restoration works have already had an impact on some species, e.g. nesting birds were found in greater numbers on some wetlands following the restoration activities; Ecological inventories were carried out across ha of land, leading to an improved knowledge of the species as well as an assessment of the effects of the management activities carried out throughout the LIFE project. The project demonstrated the significant value of grazing and of maintaining water in wetlands; A technical protocol was developed to assist farmers with arable reversion; The project contributed to the implementation of action plan for the European Otter with the identification of locations where road casualties occur most and the construction of two otter ledges in order to reduce the number of otters killed on roads; A significant campaign was carried out to raise awareness among local inhabitants, school children and other stakeholders: 47 information and communication tools and documents were developed, 43 display boards were erected. In total, the beneficiary estimates that more than people took part in communication activities (school activities, training courses, open days etc.); The project extended and strengthened the partnership among local stakeholders, with the involvement of 80 different organisations (associations, universities, local councils); and The project acquired ha of land with LIFE support (plus an additional 5.4 ha bought with other funding), including 6 ha of humid forest and 48 ha of wetlands. Overall, the work carried out showed local stakeholders what was possible in terms of restoration and management techniques that are beneficial to

3 biodiversity. The project developed some innovative tools and methods. Some of the work done will be continued or transferred to other sites. Even though the project has successfully achieved most of its objectives, its scale was limited since it did not cover the whole Marais Poitevin wetland: only ha out of ha were targeted. One of the main ongoing challenges is the maintenance of grasslands, with the project only covering some ha of the ha of grasslands found within the Marais Poitevin. Maintaining grasslands will depend on the implementation of national policies such as agri-environment measures (MAEt) or water management systems (SAGE). Some of these policies (such as MAEt) have already shown limitations in meeting the challenges that the Marais Poitevin faces. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section). Environmental issues addressed: Themes Species - Mammals Habitats - Freshwater Land-use and Planning - Forest management Keywords conflicting use environmental impact of agriculture monitoring biotope network freshwater ecosystem grazing site rehabilitation cartography cultural heritage public awareness campaign rural area wetland land restoration land purchase management plan Target EU Legislation Nature protection and Biodiversity Directive 79/409 - Conservation of wild birds ( ) Directive 92/43 - Conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora- Habitats Directiv... Target Habitat types Coastal lagoons Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia maritimi) Natural eutrophic lakes with Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition - type vegetation 91E0 - "Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae)"

4 (Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae)" Natura 2000 sites Not applicable Beneficiaries: Coordinator Type of organisation Description Partners Syndicat Mixte du Parc Interrégional du Marais Poitevin Park-Reserve authority The Syndicat Mixte du Parc Interrégional du Marais Poitevin is a public body gathering 75 towns, two regions and three counties ("départements"), with the common objective of managing the Marais Poitevin in a unified and consistent way. The project is based on the preservation of the natural and cultural heritage of the area. Ligue de Protection des Oiseaux (LPO) Union des Marais Mouillés Association de Défense de l'environnement en Vendée (ADEV) Conservatoire d'espaces Naturels et des Sites de Poitou Charentes (CREN) World Wild Fund for Nature - World Wild Fund for Nature - France (WWF) Administrative data: Project reference LIFE04 NAT/FR/ Duration 15-JUL-2004 to 30-NOV Total budget 3,106, EU contribution 1,553, Project location Pays de la Loire(France),Poitou-Charentes(France)

5 Read more: Brochure Title: "Circuit découverte des Marais communaux de la vallée du Curé" (1.08 MB) Editor: Parc Interrégional du Marais Poitevin No of pages: 7 Leaflet Title: "Implanter une surface en herbe en Marais poitevin: Guide technique pour répondre à des enjeux économiques et environnementaux" (1.7 MB) Year: 2008 Editor: Parc interrégional du Marais Poitevin No of pages: 6 Poster Title: "Communal de Nalliers : Vallée de la Vendée" (1.57 MB) Editor: Ministère de l'écologie et du développement No of pages: 1 Poster Title: "Communal de Curzon : Vallée du Lay" (1.55 MB) Editor: Ministère de l'écologie et du développement No of pages: 1 Project web site Project's website (FR) Publication: After-LIFE Title: After-LIFE Conservation Plan (EN) Conservation Plan Year: 2008 No of pages: 17 Publication: Case study Title: "Recueil d expériences - Les communaux du Marais poitevin" Year: 2008 Editor: Claude Dumont, Président du WWF-France No of pages: 64 Publication: Layman report Title: Layman report (FR) Year: 2008 No of pages: 8 Publication: Layman report Title: Layman report (EN) Year: 2008 No of pages: 8 Publication: Pedagogical tool Title: "Sur les chemins du Marais Poitevin : Carnet d'activités" (2.02 MB) Editor: Parc Interrégional du Marais Poitevin No of pages: 11 Publication: Pedagogical tool Title: "Les petites fiches nature du Marais Poitevin : Les hérons, la loutre d'europe, Les chauves-souris, les espèces invasives, les reptiles, les roselières, les prairies humides, les communaux" (32 MB) Editor: Parc Interrégional du Marais Poitevin No of pages: 16 Publication: Proceedings Title: "Colloque LIFE Nature Marais Poitevin, octobre 2008, Saint-Michel-en-l'Herm - Recueil d'expériences sur la gestion des zones humides" (2 MB) Year: 2008 Editor: Parc interrégional du Marais Poitevin No of pages: 56 Video link "Les 1000 et une vies du marais" (53')

6 Project description Environmental issues Beneficiaries Administrative data Read more