“Breeders of biodiversity” is an operation carried out by 3 environmental associations in Touraine : Inpact 37, Land of links and SEPANT (Company for the Study, Protection and Development of Nature in Touraine), it is a “strategy for the reconquest of agro-pastoral habitats in Touraine”. It is a question of preserving, thanks to an activity of extensive breeding or mowing, natural environments at the origin of the existence of a great floristic and faunal biodiversity.. 2/3 of plant species are threatened in the region due to the disappearance of wet meadows, moors, lawns and low marshes represented by these endangered agro-pastoral habitats. 95% of these environments have disappeared in Touraine in 70 years and with them, the dependent species, that is to say, the specialist species, those which can only live in these particular habitats.
“These habitats have essential ecological functions because they:
- Are necessary for the completion of the life cycle of many animal and plant species;
- Host animal and plant species present only in these environments;
- Store water and have a purifying role;
- Store carbon;
- Reduce the risk of flooding.” (source: SEPANT)
In a context of climate change and biodiversity crisis, their preservation is therefore a major challenge. As Damien Avril, botanist and biodiversity officer at SEPANT, explains to us, “this problem is major and it could quickly concern our daily lives. It is not a question of an additional soul, of preserving these habitats, but of an absolute necessity”.
Do you have this type of land? Whether you are an individual or a community, act in favor of biodiversity by participating in this “Biodiversity Breeders” project. For this, contact the SEPANT !