Actions to maintain and restore the Luberon Forest s biodiversity: focus on old-growth and ancient forests network

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1 Actions to maintain and restore the Luberon Forest s biodiversity: focus on old-growth and ancient forests network Provence Alpes Côte d Azur, France under the auspices of Unesco

2 Territory Natural heritage How we preserve forest biodiversity Conservation of the Luberon old-growth and ancient forests network French Mediterranean Natura 2000 Habitat trees and Old-growth patches

3 French regional parks Luberon Regional Nature Park (1977) Provence 77 municipalities National Geological Nature Reserve (1987) Biosphere Reserve (1997) Luberon European & Global Geopark (2004)

4 Park territory Luberon Regional Nature Park (study area) Monts de Vaucluse Area : km2 More than 170,000 inhabitants Forcalquier Cavaillon Petit Luberon Apt Apt Grand Luberon Luberon oriental Manosque Pertuis

5 9 Natura 2000 sites km2

6 Grand Luberon

7 Petit Luberon

8 Ochres

9 Natural heritage 1/3 French flora (1800 higher plant species) 45% of French vertebrates (270 vertebrate species)

10 Natural heritage 660 spider species 587 insect taxa of patrimonial significance

11 How we preserve forest biodiversity Dialogue during the elaboration of the forest s management plans and before tree felling: ecological diagnosis, period of tranquility for bird nesting in sensitive areas, technical advice.

12 How we preserve forest biodiversity Conservation of the Luberon oldgrowth and ancient forests network HOW WE INCREASE OUR UNDERSTANDING HOW WE IMPLEMENT THE STRATEGY HOW WE SHARE OUR KNOWLEDGE

13 Conservation of the Luberon old-growth and ancient forests network HOW WE INCREASE OUR UNDERSTANDING Ecological studies on forests and biodiversity reservoirs Inventory of forest biodiversity reservoirs Forest description

14 Teucrium polium, et Phillyrea angustifolia specific of recent forests, Phillyrea latifolia et Mercurialis perennis, specific of ancient forests AgroparisTech / INRA study, 2013 : Is there a flora specific of the ancient mediterranean forests of the Luberon Park? 72 specific species Characteristics of biodiversity reservoirs in our Mediterranean forests

15 IRSTEA Thesis, : Forest networks and flora biodiversity Influence of connectivity and history/heritage

16 GCP survey 2014: Bats activity in quercus pubescens forests What are the influences of forests maturity and naturalness? 27 species and groups

17 INP Purpan, 2015: Evaluation of entomological biodiversity in 4 biodiversity reservoirs

18 Conservation of the Luberon old-growth and ancient forests network HOW WE INCREASE OUR UNDERSTANDING Ecological studies Inventory of forest biodiversity reservoirs Forest description

19 Old-growth forest network: definitions Dispersal corridor Forest reserve (Free evolving forests) Old-growth patch (Senescence islet) Habitat tree Lachat & Bütler 2007 Mountain range Forest range Plot range Old-growth forest network Forest reserve / Free evolving forests Old-growth patch / Senescence islet Habitat tree From 10 ha to ha from 1 to 10 ha Naturalness of the forest matrix Biodiversity reservoirs Ecological role Salvaudon 2013 «Dispersal corridor»

20 Inventory of forest biodiversity reservoirs Photos taken from planes Natura 2000 documents Forest management plans Other specific documents & Experts knowledge: (local foresters, naturalists )

21 Estimating the interest for conservation of old-growth forest network in the field : - Evaluating degree of naturalness with WWF method WWF, Forêts anciennes à haute valeur de conservation. Les outils d'évaluation

22 WWF Method At forest stand (1 to 10 ha) Degree of naturalness Wildness (perceived naturalness) Nature description & Diversity Human footprint

23 Degree of naturalness example Diversity Naturalness «La Tuilière» (Buoux, 84)

24 The WWF method allows to distinguish between very different types of forests

25 Conservation of the Luberon old-growth and ancient forests network HOW WE INCREASE OUR UNDERSTANDING Ecological studies on specific forest biodiversity spots Inventory of forest biodiversity reservoirs Characterization of the Luberon forest matrix: Ancient forest mapping Naturalness

26 Forest coverage on maps Recent land use studies Recent French national maps of forests Ancient forest mapping The forest ancientness has an influence on the biodiversity (regardless of the management type) Dupouey et al., 2002

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28 Naturalness Forest types classified by the National forest institute (IFN, 2012) 6 criteria inspired by the WWF «naturalness rapid assessement» Specific diversity of indigenous species Natural habitats of high interest Forest structure Probability of presence of microhabitats Dynamics of the forest evolution Forest s ancientness Assessment for ecological continuity

29 Forest types classified according to naturalness degree Criteria Description Grade Criteria Description Grade Species diversity (number of indigenous species) Forest habitat of high interest [ 2 4 ] 2 5 or 6 3 > Or = to 7 4 Absence 0 Presence 1 Matorral 0 Probability of presence of microhabitats Succession stages and phases (according to vegetation stages) Low 1 Average 2 High 3 Pionnier 1 Transition stage 1 Transition stage Coppice 1 Complete 4 Stand structure High forest mixed with coppice or high forest with low density 2 Continuity of forest cover Recent forest 0 Around High forest 3 Proven ancient forest 2

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32 Conservation of the Luberon old-growth and ancient forests network HOW WE INCREASE OUR UNDERSTANDING HOW WE IMPLEMENT THE STRATEGY How to link forests of high biodiversity? French Mediterranean Natura 2000 Habitat trees and Old-growth patches contract HOW WE SHARE OUR KNOWLEDGE

33 How it is implemented in today s forestry Mountain range Forest range Plot range Old-growth forest network Forest reserve / Free evolving forests From 10 ha to ha Old-growth patch / Senescence islet From 1 to 10 ha Habitat tree Naturalness of the forest matrix Ecological role Existing tools for conservation and management -Strictly protected biological reserves - Forest sections classified «without silviculture» in the management plans - «Exceptional areas» as defined by the Luberon s park charter - Protection of the central area of the Biosphere Reserve Biodiversity reservoirs - Forest sections classified as -«aging ilots»? / «senescence ilots» = old-growth patches in the management plans - Natura 2000 «oldgrowth patches» contracts - Payments for environmental services? «Dispersal corridors» - Recommendations included in management plans (not required) - Natura 2000 «habitat trees» contracts - Natura 2000 charter - Other protected lands

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35 Conservation of the Luberon old-growth and ancient forests network HOW WE INCREASE OUR UNDERSTANDING HOW DO IMPLEMENT THE STRATEGY How to link forests of high biodiversity? French Mediterranean Natura 2000 Habitat trees and Old-growth patches contract HOW WE SHARE OUR KNOWLEDGE

36 The Natura 2000 contract s Species and habitats of European interest: Chiropters: Barbastella 1, Myotis bechsteinii 2 Insects: Osmoderma 4, Cerambyx cerdo 5, Lucanus cervus 6, Rosalia alpina 7 Habitats: Beech and Oak Forests

37 Network: A. Habitat trees for species of European interest B. Old-growth patches Natura 2000 «Habitat trees» and «oldgrowth patches» contract

38 A. Natura 2000 «Habitat trees» contract for species of European interest Eligibility requirements: Wood species Diameter Senescence evidence* Presence of remarkable animal species *

39 B. Natura 2000 «Old-growth patches» contract Minimum : 10 trees/ha Minimum area : 0.5 ha

40 Natura 2000 «Habitat trees» and «Oldgrowth patches» contract duration: 30 years Maximum compensation: A /ha for trees + B /ha for patches = 1 ha with 10 eligible trees receives 4000 in compensation

41 Conservation of the Luberon old-growth and ancient forests network HOW WE INCREASE OUR UNDERSTANDING HOW WE IMPLEMENT THE STRATEGY HOW WE SHARE KNOWLEDGE Geo-database Awareness, education

42 «Système d information territorial» = Shared geodatabase

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44 On this

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47 Awareness, education

48 Many thanks for your attention Copyrights PNRL, Max Gallardo, GCP, Emmanuel Cosson, Pierre Frappa, Aline Salvaudon, Sophie Bourlon, David Tatin, Arnoul Hamel, Mathieu Berson

49 Field trip 8:30 Departure by bus from the hotel parking 8:45 : Goult panoramic view, National forest office presentation of the forest of Luberon 9:30 : Goult, La Grande Bastide, private property in Ochra N2000 site Practice of the Natura 2000 «Habitat trees» contract. 12:30 : Picnic 15:30 : Presentation of Mount Ventoux forest. Presentation and practice of the WWF assessment tool. 19:00 Back to the hotel under the auspices of Unesco

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