New forms of decision-making, Policies and instruments
Short description
There is a high human activity in the valleys of this French department. The human activity and the related infrastructure cause the destruction or fragmentation of many plant and animal habitats. The department started this project to analyse the existing ecological networks in this area. Therefore a group of experts was mandated to realise a study about the habitat connectivity in the department. The results of this study are now used to create or restore biological corridors for wildlife and are to be integrated in landscape plans. Several different actions are carried out to promote and realise the idea of an ecological network in the department.
Project executive
Service environnement et service des routes
Conseil Général de l’Isère
Participants
Conseil Général de l’Isère
Région Rhône-Alpes
AREA (Autoroutes Rhône-Alpes)
Local representatives (department, communities)
French government
Hunters, farmers, natural associations
Objectives
The objective of the first step, the study about the ecological network in the department was to provide a document and maps showing the different ecological networks of the department, to analyse the areas where problems between wildlife corridors and human activities (infrastructures in the first place) exist and to raise the awareness of politicians and the public on the subject. After this first step, the aim is to create biological corridors where they are needed, to include the results of the study in the landscape planning policies and to communicate about the subject.
Activities
In 2000/2001 the realisation of the study and the maps about the ecological network in the department.
Creation of different communication tools: film, brochures and various events to promote the concept of an ecological network in the department.
Concrete actions for the creation of biological corridors: Corridor between the two mountain massifs Vercors and Chartreuse, construction of fauna passages for small mammals and amphibians, ...
Process
In 1999 the Conseil Général decided to start working about the ecological connectivity areas in the department. In 2000 the study about the existing ecological networks in the department was finalised. Since then different concrete actions were carried out to improve the connectivity at place were a discontinuity between ecological units was noticed. The last big project was the construction of wildlife passages for small mammals in 2005.
Results
Publication of the study and various communication tools (film, exhibition, pedagogic tools for children…). Construction of wildlife passages. Actions to save amphibians organized with nature protection associations in areas that were recognized as dangerous areas for amphibian migration. Strong cooperation between all different actors concerned by this subject.
The corridors and ecological networks that were identified by the study are included in big landscape planning projects such as the flood prevention programme “Isère amont” for the Isère river and also in the developing plans of the local protected areas (PNR Chartreuse).
Evaluation
A steering committee of the department composed of different partners from various concerned fields (Conseil Général, local politicians, members of the highway company, agriculture, hunters, the different protected areas,…) evaluates the different actions and plans future projects.
Difficulties
The two major challenges for the future development of this project will be to find a status for the ecological corridors and to assure the financing of the further concrete actions.
Budget
A first budget of about 60 000 € was available for the first study. (Euro)
Financial backer
Financing from the Conseil Général de l’Isère. Additional funds from AREA. A lot of work done by nature protection associations.