Projects sites | France
Drôme (26)
- Action: Creating ponds
- Region: Drôme
- Biogeographical region: Mediterranean
- Partner: Conservatoire des Espaces Naturels de l'Isère (Future association)
- Site location: near to the District of Grane (26400)
Ecological interest in the area
The site provides shelter for an isolated population of great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) within the Department. It is one of the rare locations in the Mediterranean area for this species, in this northern part of the sub-Mediterranean biogeographic region, in between the Continental and Alpine biogeographic regions.
This is a nationally protected species (Art. 2 of the Decree of 19 November 2007); it is listed in Annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and Annex II of the Bern Convention. It is also listed on the national Red List in the category of "slight risk" and on the regional Red List in the category of "serious danger".
Besides the great crested newt, the existing ponds host the palmate newt (Lissotriton helveticus), the spotted salamander (Salamandra salamandra) and several species of dragonfly and damselfly: azure damselfly (Coenagrion puella), four-spotted chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata) and large red damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula).
In order to promote this fragile population of great crested newt, a network of ponds will be created following an analysis of the soil for its potential to retain water.
While the LIFE project can only operate under RTE's high-voltage power lines, it can nevertheless also help to establish effective and constructive collaboration for the creation of other ponds through external partnerships.
The intended goal is to end the isolation of this newt population and in future to link up the Drôme valley through this network.
Moreover, an operation will also be carried out to eliminate the invasive plant species on the site.
These different actions will be carried out in close collaboration with the representatives of the Ramières nature reserve and the Drôme Bird Protection League (Ligue de Protection des Oiseaux - LPO).