Contexte

The territory of the Garrigues of the Gard that extends from the Gorges du Gardon to the Gorges de la Cèze perfectly embodies the diversity of Mediterranean landscapes. It shelters a mosaic of diversified habitats that support an exceptional biodiversity.

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Natura 2000 sites are designated to preserve rare or threatened flora and fauna considered to be “of Community interest”. The precise list of these habitats and species is annexed to two European Directives: “The Birds Directive” (BD) and/or “The Habitats, fauna and flora Directive” (HD). Some species are considered to be priorities due to their fragility; they are marked with an *.

Unfortunately, our biodiversity is fragile, and  confronted with complex and varied threats: abandonment of pastoral lands, unsuitable agricultural and forest  management practices, presence of invasive or exotic species, pollution and other perturbations.

Objectives

To reinforce biodiversity conservation in the Garrigues of the Gard, the LIFE Terra Musiva project aims to:

  • Protect and restore four habitats of Community Interest with an “unfavorable” conservation status.
  • Improve habitat quality for nine species of birds, mammals and amphibians with “unfavourable” conservation status.
  • Take account of insects with multiple roles such as prey, indicators of the quality of habitats, decomposers and more.
  • Support and develop agricultural and grazing practices that are favourable to biodiversity.
  • Involve, guide and inform inhabitants, professionals and elected officials of the territory.

Project area

The actions will be carried out on 6 Natura 2000 sites in the territory :

  • SPA “Les gorges du Gardon” and SAC “Le Gardon et ses gorges”
  • SPA “Les garrigues de Lussan”
  • SPA “Le Camp des garrigues”
  • SAC La Cèze et ses gorges
  • SAC Etang et mares de la Capelle

Some actions will be carried out outside the sites to improve the implementation of the Natura 2000 network and its coherence.

Site Natura 2000

Site Natura 2000

Camp des garrigues (DO)

Camp des garrigues (DO)

The Gardon & its gorges (HD) <br/>& the Gorges du Gardon (BD)

The Gardon & its gorges (HD)
& the Gorges du Gardon (BD)

Garrigues of Lussan (BD)

Garrigues of Lussan (BD)

The Cèze & its gorges (HD)

The Cèze & its gorges (HD)

Pond & marshes of La Capelle (HD)

Pond & marshes of La Capelle (HD)

Pond of Valliguières (HD)

Pond of Valliguières (HD)

Target species and habitats

Select a species or a habitat to access the description sheet

Bonelli’s Eagle

Bonelli’s Eagle
Aquila fasciata*

  • Wingspan: 150-180 cm
  • Habitat: grasslands and scrubland; nesting on rocky outcrops
  • Diet: birds and medium-sized mammals, rabbits and partridges being its favourite prey.
  • Conservation status: "declining" since 1980 but "improving" since 2007.
Alluvial forests with black alder and common ash

Alluvial forests with black alder Alnus glutinosa and common ash Fraxinus excelsior  (H91E0*)

  • Description: woodland at springs, streams and rivers, dominated by Black Alder in the lower parts and Common Ash in the upper parts.
  • Conservation status: unfavourable-inadequate" and "declining".
Greater horseshoe bat

Greater horseshoe bat
Rhinolophus ferrumequinum

  • Wingspan: 33 - 44 cm
  • Habitat: structured mixed and semi-open environments, hunting in pastures surrounded by hedges
  • Diet: moths and coprophagous beetles.
  • Conservation status: unfavourable-inadequate" but "improving
Mediterranean temporary ponds

Mediterranean temporary ponds
(H3170*)

  • Description: Very shallow temporary water bodies (up to 40 cm) of variable surface area (a few tens of square centimetres to a few hectares) subject to sufficiently long dry periods to allow the development of highly specific amphibious vegetation
  • Conservation status: "unfavourable-inadequate" and "declining"
Crested newt

Crested newt
Triturus cristatus

  • Large (12-16 cm) granular-skinned newt
  • Habitat: stagnant and vegetated waterholes, with woodland, hedges and thickets nearby
  • Diet: small molluscs, worms, larvae, but also tadpoles
  • Conservation status: unfavourable-inadequate" and "declining
Western spadefoot

Western spadefoot
Pelobates cultripes

  • Mediterranean-Atlantic nocturnal toad (7-9 cm) with smooth skin.
  • Habitat: moist, sunny breeding sites with little riparian vegetation.
  • Conservation status: unfavourable-inadequate" and "declining".
Lesser mouse-eared bat

Lesser mouse-eared bat
Myotis blythii

  • Wingspan: 35 to 45 cm
  • Habitat: open areas with a warm climate: grassy steppes, scrubland, etc.
  • Food: crickets and grasshoppers, caught on the ground, with a maximum hunting range of about 11 km.
  • Conservation status: unfavourable-inadequate" and "declining
Gallery forests of white willows and white poplars

Gallery forests of white willows Salix alba and white poplars Populus alba
(H92A0)

  • Description: riparian woodland typical of the Mediterranean region, spreading more or less widely on either side of watercourses, dominated by White Poplar, Prickly Ash, Black Poplar and White Willow
  • Conservation status: Conservation status: unfavourable-inadequate" and "declining
Geoffroy’s bat

Geoffroy’s bat
Myotis emarginatus

  • Wingspan: 22 to 24.5 cm
  • Habitat: strictly cave-dwelling species; hunts in forests or woodlands, rural areas, meadows or riverbanks
  • Diet: spiders, butterflies and beetles.
  • Conservation status: "unfavourable-inadequate" and "declining
Little bustard

Little bustard
Tetrax tetrax*

  • Wingspan: 105 - 115 cm
  • Habitat: open fields, necessary for males to be seen by females, and grasslands, which provide protection and food for females.
  • Diet: beetles, orthopterans
  • Conservation status: "declining
Woodlark

Woodlark
Lullula arborea

  • Size: 15 cm
  • Habitat: dry areas dominated by sparse vegetation but dotted with trees used as perches.
  • Diet: insects and spiders caught on the ground or in low vegetation.
  • Conservation status: "declining".
Tawny pipit

Tawny pipit
Anthus campestris

  • Size: 15.5 to 18 cm
  • Habitat: steppes, scrubland, etc. In France, it is the rarest of the 4 breeding Pipits and is only present in the south-east quarter, the Mediterranean biome being the most suitable for its nesting.
  • Diet: insects and spiders
Pseudi-steppe with grasses and annuals

Pseudi-steppe with grasses and annuals Thero-Brachypodietea
(H6220*)

  • Conservation status: "declining”
  • Description: Mediterranean grassland, rich in perennial grasses and developed on dry, more or less deep soils. Two grasses, the Phoenician Brachypodus (Brachypodium phoenicoidis) and the Rough Brachypodus (Brachypodium retusum), contribute strongly to the physiognomy of these vegetations. It is one of the richest habitats in Europe in terms of plant species.
  • Conservation status: “unfavourable-inadequate" and "declining