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Natural Environments
Area project service programmes
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Natura 2000 |
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Contexte
Natura 2000 is a European programme aimed at the conservation of certain species and their natural habitats which are considered of community interest due to their being threatened or in decline.
For this reason, a network of natural sites has been established throughout Europe. The Natura 2000 approach seeks to reconcile the preservation of natural heritage with local economic, social and cultural concerns. This is why the Natura 2000 approach involves local parties in their reflection of management .
Thus, for each site a management plan, called an Objectives Document, was developed with the local participants (elected council members, property-owners syndicates, the federation of hunters, agricultural syndicates, forestry organisations, environmental associations etc.). This allows some reflection, both locally and collectively, about the aims of natural heritage conservation while taking into account the concerns of involved locals.
The management measures determined during this reflection are not imposed as regulations but are passed through voluntary assent.
Description
The Parc du Pilat contains 4 Natura 2000 sites; 4 sites which intersect with the Park’s Priority Ecological Sites.
As you might imagine, the Park was designated by the State as an operator, i.e. it ensures the consultation and drafting of the Objectives Documents (DocObs). For this it receives funding from the Ministry of Ecology of the Rhône-Alpes region.
“Peat-bogs and the Chaussitre moors”
This site, split into eight sectors on the Haut-Pilat plateau, is made up of peat-bogs, ponds, hilly moorland and beech forests situated high on the Crêt de Chaussitre (1240m).
Chief among the species to be observed on this site are:
The Short-toed Eagle; a bird of prey, particularly adept at capturing reptiles and for whom the moors of Chaussitre offer a very attractive hunting ground;The round-leafed (or common) sundew and a whole range of plant species which are typical of the peat-bogs.
The issues here are about the wetlands preserving drainage interventions for agricultural or forestry purposes, the moors which have evolved naturally into the forest since farming practices stopped and the Beech forests which are at risk of disappearing as a result of clearcutting followed by the planting of more productive species of tree.
« Crêts du Pilat »
The site of Crêts du Pilat corresponds to the summit of the Pilat massif, whose highest peak rises to 1432 meters above sea level. This highly popular site for leisure activities is emblematic of the massif.
The landscape of the Crêts is characterised by the presence of moors on the summits. These are often linked to the ancient pastoral trails which, in the absence of use tend to move towards afforestation. Crêts du Pilat is also notable for its beech forests and wetlands. The flat zones provide agricultural land, particularly hay fields and dry grasslands.
“Ondenon Valley and northern foothills of Pilat”
Situated in a suburban area, this site consists of four management entities, one of which, the Bois d’Avaize (Avaize Wood), is at the heart of the town of St. Etienne. This site was primarily selected for the presence of Dwarf gorse Moors (this habitat is at eastern limit of its distribution and characteristic of the influence of the Atlantic) as well as for the beech forests, the dry grasslands and the hay fields. The presence of these habitats is strongly linked to the continuation of extensive agricultural practices in this area, as well as a policy of pro-beech forest management.
“Right bank tributaries of the Rhône”
Located on the eastern edge of the Massif du Pilat, this site corresponds to the narrow valleys leading into the Rhône Valley.
As it enjoys the benefits of a southern influenced climate, this area is home to numerous species in the northern limit of their distribution such as the Iberian wall lizard and sage-leaf rockrose (a plant found in dry grasslands).
These highly sheltered, poorly accessible, wild and untamed valleys contrast sharply with the nearby and highly urbanised Rhône Valley, which is home to various infrastructures. Thus, all the fauna of the area finds refuge in these valleys including the Eurasian eagle-owl and the quiet Genet.
Forest slopes and dry grasslands characterise the environmental wealth of this site.
le Document d’Objectifs
The DoCobs are validated for the first three sites, and the Park now ensures that they are being put into action: Information, awareness, technical assistance for project development and for the organisation of the site administrators’ financial dossiers. The Park can also secure several general contractors.
Consultation started in 2009 for the last site “Tributaries on the right bank of the Rhône”.
The Objectives Document is still in the process of being drafted.
The 4 Natura 2000 sites of Parc du Pilat:
- Peat-bogs and Chaussitre moors
- Crêts du Pilat
- Vallée de l'Ondenon and the northern foothills of Pilat
- Right bank tributaries of the Rhône
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Lieu |
Site de Chaussitre et tourbières, zone des Crêts, Vallée de l’Ondenon et contreforts nord-Pilat, vallons rhodaniens |
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Public concerné |
Ensemble des acteurs locaux, propriétaires et usagers |
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Partenaires techniques |
experts scientifiques |
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Financement |
Europe, Etat , Région, Conseil Général de la Loire |
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Contacts mission |
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