Wetlands and aquatic environments are a diversity of environments of great importance. These areas are very important because they represent a reservoir of biodiversity. Natura 2000 aims, among other things, to ensure the long-term survival of these habitats. Angel CHAINEAU is Technician of the city of Libourne, Signatory of a Natura 2000 contract
What are the natural habitats and species targeted by this Natura 2000 contract?
The town of Libourne has a natural wetland bocage area in the Dagueys natural area. We have wet woodlands, wet bocage meadows that must be maintained, preserved, kept open. As a result, we have target species because we are a natural area which has benefited from the ZNIEFF inventories of the Natura 2000 objectives document thanks to the presence of species and environments of community interest. Hence the interest and the possibility of signing a Natura 2000 contract.
The target species are European pond turtle, European mink, estuarine angelica for plants. We also have a faunal procession of dragonflies present on its meadows, which must be valued after work, in collaboration with the National Botanical Conservatory. We targeted meadows whose ecological interest had diminished and suddenly, we decided to improve our management by signing a Natura 2000 contract to switch to eco-grazing. Today, we were doing more in management by mechanical mowing and suddenly, to improve this biodiversity. We want to set up eco-grazing with animals. [00:01:34][68.0]
It is important for the city of Libourne, precisely, to sign this Natura 2000 contract.
This is a long-standing commitment of the City. This natural area has been preserved for 25 years, where we therefore keep it open and we develop it in a way. This is why we have also seen the appearance of an animal farm in collaboration with the Conservatoire des races d’Aquitaine.
What actions is permitted by this contract?
In Libourne, we targeted 8 hectares of meadows put in eco-grazing with sheep, goats and horses already on site with the Barbanne farm. In partnership with the Aquitaine Breeds Conservatory, the city of Libourne has in fact set up a farm on the Dagueys site since 2016, which houses nearly 300 animals and around thirty different species.