PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Alluvial habitats of the Dordogne river are being impacted by human activities, such as hydroelectric infrastructures in the upper basin and dams, the extraction of materials (e.g. gravel), and the stabilisation of riverbanks. This has led to habitat fragmentation and deterioration, which has significantly impacted spawning grounds of migratory fish species, including the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) and Allis shad (Alosa alosa). With no intervention to limit current threats, the conservation status of these already deteriorated habitats will continue to decline.
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE DORDOGNE project aims to improve the ecological status of natural environments and restore habitats on 280 km of river in three Natura 2000 network sites in France: 7 620 ha in Valle de la Dordogne sur l'ensemble de son cours et affluents (FR7401103), 5 567 ha in Valle de la Dordogne quercynoise (FR7300898) and 5 685 ha in the La Dordogne (FR7200660).
Specifically, the project aims to:
Increase the surface area of five natural alluvial habitats, listed in the annexes of the Habitats Directive; Increase the number and reinforce the status of large alluvial natural areas (> 10 ha) hosting habitatsin a good state of conservation to promote environmental resilience; Reconstruct the sedimentary state of the spawning habitats of Salmo salar, Alosa alosa and Petromyzon marinus. The project also seeks to strengthen policies and management systems for natural environments in the Dordogne, and to enhance the involvement of stakeholders to promote habitat and species conservation. In addition, it plans to develop methods and knowledge outputs that can be used to sustain project actions after the end of the project, to replicate them in other regions or transpose them into other contexts.<./p>
RESULTS
Expected results:
Restoration of Habitats Directive-listed natural habitats: 5 ha of oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters (habitat type 3130), 7 ha of rivers with muddy banks (3270), 20 ha of hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of plains (6430), 57 ha of Alluvial forests (91E0*), and 7 ha of Riparian mixed forests (91F0); Restored spawning grounds: 12 Salmo salar spawning grounds in order to increase its population by 30 to 50% (i.e. by 1 000 to 1 500 individuals), and 2 spawning grounds for Alosa alosa on the four main spawning grounds in the Dordogne to increase its population by 400 to 500% (i.e. by +5 000 to +20 000 individuals). Restoration actions will alsobe beneficial for Petromyzon marinus; Strengthened public land management on the most strategic sites of the area, with the securing of 181 ha through management agreements; Revised regulations: three prefectural biotope protection orders revised, and three new plans and action programmes established (sediment management plan, land action programme, map of plant supply sites); and Reinforced partnerships and exchanges: 10 agreements with managers of riparian natural areas, and raised awareness of 150 representatives of local authorities and user associations bordering the Dordogne and 50 professionals in the extraction and use of river materials for public works.
