Geomorphological heritage of the Pyrénées National Park (France): assessment, clustering and promotion of geomorphosites

International audienceThe Pyrenees National Park is located in the western portion of the Pyrenees. It includes the majority of the peaks of height greater than 3000 m a.s.l. on the French side of the ridge. One region within this area (Cirque of Gavarnie) has been a listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997. Its geomorphological heritage is exceptional and the National Park would like to promote it. The aim of this paper is thus to propose an example of the assessment and promotion of geomorphosites at a regional scale. The assessment only concerns glacial and periglacial landforms and is based on three criteria: scientific, cultural, and use values. Potential geomorphosite assessment results are divided into two rankings: one is based on a "management score" and the other on a "tourism score". The highest-priority geomorphosites for management and tourism use are objectively defined, by making use of a hierarchical ascendant classification method which reveals three main groups of homogenous geomorphosites, interpreted as "High priority", "Medium priority", and "Low priority". An example of tourism promotion (an educational panel) is given for one of the priority geomorphosites

Communautés végétales des tourbières ombrotrophes du Massif central oriental (France) = Plant communities of ombrotrophic mires in the eastern Massif central (France)

International audienceLe Massif central oriental est riche de nombreux sites tourbeux échelonnés entre 600 m et 1600 m d'altitude, certains particulièrement remarquables sur le plan biologique. Pourtant les recherches concernant leurs végétations restent peu développées et ponctuelles. Nous comblons ici partiellement cette lacune par une analyse d'ensemble des communautés végétales ombrotrophiles de ce secteur géographique. Les résultats issus de CAH et AFC portant sur 129 relevés phytosociologiques et 142 espèces conduisent à l'individualisation de 24 " syntaxons élémentaires " et 8 groupes de taxons différentiels. La végétation se différencie principalement en fonction de la richesse minérale et de l'humidité. Elle traduit aussi indirectement une opposition d'origine climatique entre systèmes de tourbières bombées compactes, hyperoligotrophes et hyperombrotrophes au nord de la région, sous influence océanique, et systèmes de buttes ombrominérotrophes isolées au sud ou à moindre altitude, sous climat plus sec et plus chaud en été, à caractère plus continental. Nous rattachons ces groupements à 9 associations végétales déjà existantes

Evidence of a fine-scale genetic structure for the endangered Pyrenean desman (Galemys pyrenaicus) in the French Pyrenees

Times Cited: 0Gillet, F. Garrido, M. T. Cabria Blanc, F. Fournier-Chambrillon, C. Nemoz, M. Sourp, E. Vial-Novella, C. Zardoya, R. Aulagnier, S. Michaux, J. R.Conservatoire d'Espaces Naturels de Midi-Pyrenees (CEN-MP) [LIFE13NAT/FR/000092]; European Union Funding Network (ERDF); European Union Funding Network (LIFE+); Agence de l'eau Adour-Garonne; Agence de l'eau Rhone-Mediterranee-Corse; DREAL Aquitaine, Midi-Pyrenees, and Languedoc-Roussillon; Conseil Regional Aquitaine, Midi-Pyrenees and Languedoc-Roussillon; Conseil General des Pyrenees-Atlantiques, de l'Aude et des Pyrenees-Orientales; EDF; SHEM; Patagonia; Parc National des Pyrenees; ANRT (Association Nationale de la Recherche et de la Technologie); ANRT (CIFRE) [2011/1571]We thank the following people who collected tissue samples: EDF agents, Pyrenees National Park agents, M. Bayon, A. Bertrand, J.-P. Besson, J.-P. Quere, A. Charbonnel, F. Elzear, L. Fabre, P. Fantin, B. Le Roux, V. Lacaze, M. Lagardere, F. Lasserre, B. Le Corre, M. Mas, P. Maunas, G. Nogue, F. Prud'Homme, T. Quintilla, B. Salmeron, T. Tico, S. Torreilles, and S. Vernet. We also thank representatives of the following organizations who collected feces samples: Association des Naturalistes de l'Ariege, Conservatoire d'Espaces Naturels d'Aquitaine, Conservatoire d'Espaces Naturels de Midi-Pyrenees, Federation Aude Claire, Federation des Reserves Naturelles Catalanes, Groupe de Recherche et d'Etude pour la Gestion de l'Environnement, Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage, Office National des Forets, and Parc National des Pyrenees. This study is part of the "Plan National d'Actions en faveur du Desman des Pyrenees" and the LIFE+ Desman project (LIFE13NAT/FR/000092) which are coordinated by the Conservatoire d'Espaces Naturels de Midi-Pyrenees (CEN-MP) and financially supported by the following structures: European Union Funding Network (ERDF and LIFE+), Agence de l'eau Adour-Garonne, Agence de l'eau Rhone-Mediterranee-Corse, DREAL Aquitaine, Midi-Pyrenees, and Languedoc-Roussillon, Conseil Regional Aquitaine, Midi-Pyrenees and Languedoc-Roussillon, Conseil General des Pyrenees-Atlantiques, de l'Aude et des Pyrenees-Orientales, EDF, SHEM, Patagonia, Parc National des Pyrenees, and ANRT (Association Nationale de la Recherche et de la Technologie). FG is supported by a French research fellowship provided by ANRT (CIFRE No 2011/1571).01545-1542The Pyrenean desman (Galemys pyrenaicus) is a small, semiaquatic mammal endemic to the Pyrenean Mountains and the northern half of the Iberian Peninsula where it lives in cold and well-oxygenated flowing mountain streams. This species is currently classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and has been undergoing habitat loss and fragmentation for decades, inevitably impacting its distribution. A recent genetic study, based on mitochondrial and intronic sequences, showed that the genetic variability of the Pyrenean desman is very low in the Pyrenees. In this study, we investigated the potential existence of genetic structure and gene flow at a smaller scale using 24 polymorphic microsatellite loci. As the Pyrenean desman is a very elusive species, we supplemented our tissue sample collection with samples of feces collected in the French range of this species. We successfully identified 70 individuals based on 355 fecal samples. Bayesian analyses revealed 3 genetic and geographic clusters (1 eastern, 1 central, and 1 western, including 3 genetic subclusters), with origins tracing back only 200 years. These clusters were characterized by low levels of genetic diversity and high inbreeding coefficients. Although gene flow among clusters appeared to be limited, populations seem to have exchanged alleles recently. Therefore, connectivity between watersheds should be enhanced to maintain genetic diversity and potentially improve the long-term survival of the Pyrenean desman in France

Population expansion and breeding success of Bearded Vultures Gypaetus barbatus in the French Pyrenees: results from long‐term population monitoring

Based on monitoring of Bearded Vultures over 24 years in the French Pyrenees, we assessed factors explaining temporal and spatial variations in numbers and breeding performance. The number of territorial pairs increased throughout the study period from 16 in 1994 to 44 in 2017. No significant negative trends in mean productivity (fledglings per territorial pair) were detected with increasing population size. Colonization probability increased significantly with breeding population size the previous year and with the regular provision of supplementary food in the territory the winter when colonization occurred. Colonization of new territories simultaneously increased the distribution range and local densities, but we found no effect of number of near neighbours on productivity. Pairs having bred less than 5 years together had a much lower probability of laying clutches, and higher lay rates were observed inside or close to protected areas after accounting for pair‐bond length, so productivity of territories inside protected areas was significantly higher. Nest success decreased with advanced lay date and increased with winter food abundance. Nesting failures in the study area were frequently associated with harsh weather. Additionally, disturbance by human activities was the second most important identified cause of breeding failure. The probability of failing due to disturbance was higher in western areas (where breeding areas are more accessible to humans), outside protected areas, and has increased with time. After a failure due to disturbance, there was a significantly higher probability of not producing a clutch the following year as compared with pairs that had not failed or had failed due to other causes, indicating deferred effects of disturbance. Our results show the benefits of conservation management actions, such as implementation of protected areas or designed supplementary food programmes in winter, to help range expansion. On the other hand, we did not find a significant effect of winter supplementary food on productivity. Management of feeding sites should be adapted to more specific planning, being used only in areas where natural food availability is scarce, avoiding its use close to breeding sites when juveniles disperse, and targeted mainly to help range expansion. Our results also highlight the importance of maintaining or enhancing good populations of wild ungulates and regulating human activities around nesting sites of this threatened species.The monitoring programme was mostly funded by national and regional public subsidies, as well as European funds.Peer reviewe

Vrnili smo se z dopusta

International audienceThe Pyrenean desman is a vulnerable mammal species endemic to Pyrenees and the northern Iberian Peninsula. The presence of this elusive species can he most easily detected by sampling its faeces. However, these faecal samples can be confused with those of other vertebrate species living in the same habitats. This study provides two easy and reliable methods tor the identification of the Pyrenean desman faeces based on genetic analyses. The first one consists of a nested PCR and sequencing of a mitochondrial cytochrome b fragment, and the second one is an enzymatic digestion with endonucleases AluI and Sau3AI. The restriction patterns given by the two enzymes were found suitable for the successful discrimination of the Pyrenean desman from the other species based on species-specific sequence variations

Capra pyrenaica, Iberian Wild Goat

Peer reviewe

Massif montagneux – Les Pyrénées

La montagne est un milieu vulnérable vis-à-vis du changement climatique comme l’indiquentdéjà les évolutions paléoclimatiques.Inédite à l’échelle des Pyrénées-Atlantiques, l’analyse de longues séries homogénéisées dedonnées sur la période 1950-2013 indique une augmentation des températures de +0,2 °C à +0,3 °C par décennie. Les projections climatiques établissent la poursuite du réchauffement :à l'horizon 2071-2100, selon le scénario RCP 8.5, le réchauffement pourrait atteindre 4°C. Enmatière d’enneigement, en dépit d’une forte variabilité inter-annuelle et d’une tendance plusmarquée à basse altitude, une perte de 2 à 3 jours d'enneigement par décennie est observéedepuis le début des années 1980 ; les projections futures présagent d’une accélérationsensible à partir des années 2050. Ces changements physiques ont des conséquencessur la biodiversité et le fonctionnement des écosystèmes ainsi qu’un impact économiqueet social majeur. Les aspects opérationnels de l’appropriation du changement climatique,des stratégies d’adaptation et d’atténuation adoptées, mis en oeuvre à différentes échellesterritoriales témoignent du besoin de mieux comprendre les interactions entre processusenvironnementaux et sociaux dans les espaces montagnards, avec au centre la question desperceptions et des représentations du changement climatique, qui demeure un volet essentielpour saisir les freins et les leviers potentiels à l’adaptation des sociétés locales. En cherchantune meilleure résilience climatique et une planification plus durable de la totalité du modèleéconomique actuel, anticipation et adaptation sont les grands défis auxquels les différentsterritoires de montagne devront faire face. Cela passe nécessairement par une connaissanceaccrue de la question climatique et des risques naturels associés.Concernant la montagne limousine, sa position en tête de bassin et ses ressourcesessentiellement de flux constituent un enjeu particulier vis-à-vis du changement climatique.Le maintien de zones humides et la biodiversité associée est conditionné par la préservationde la ressource en eau tandis que les pratiques agricoles, sylvicoles et d’élevage vont devoirquant à elles s’adapter à davantage de sécheresses. Sur le plan socio-environnemental, lescaractéristiques démographiques (faible densité, ménages modestes) et l’ancienneté du bâtirequièrent une attention particulière dans la mise en place de politiques d’accompagnementdes territoires vers une meilleure résilience.Nous, ou les générations futures, assisterons sans aucun doute à une recomposition despaysages montagnards. Sans réaction adaptée rapide, le risque est grand de laisser semodifier des services écologiques essentiels et d’impacter les activités et le bien-être d’unepartie de la population dépendant des ressources de haute et moyenne altitudes

Current genetic admixture between relictual populations might enhance the recovery of an elusive carnivore

The present study investigated the natural recovery of the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) in France. The otter was widely distributed in France at the dawn of the 20th century, but then its range considerably shrank and became highly fragmented until the early 1970s, just before it was legally protected. However, for more than 25 years, the otter has been reconquering several parts of its original range and is now considered to be in expansion in France. We investigated the genetic differentiation and diversity of several populations from western and central France and northern Spain to gain insight into the recolonisation dynamics of this elusive species. The present study, based on the use of 14 microsatellite markers, revealed that otter populations seem to be split into five distinct groups. The distribution of samples in those five clusters was closely correlated with suspected refugia where the otter probably survived during the 20th century. Admixture was observed between genetic lineages, possibly enhancing their genetic diversity and thus increasing the recolonisation dynamics of these populations. This phenomenon resembles the genetic pattern noted in many invasive exotic species derived from multiple sources and introduction events. Finally, a demographic approach revealed the probable link between historical human pressure and otter population fragmentation patterns

Current genetic admixture between relictual populations might enhance the recovery of an elusive carnivore

The present study investigated the natural recovery of the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) in France. The otter was widely distributed in France at the dawn of the 20th century, but then its range considerably shrank and became highly fragmented until the early 1970s, just before it was legally protected. However, for more than 25 years, the otter has been reconquering several parts of its original range and is now considered to be in expansion in France. We investigated the genetic differentiation and diversity of several populations from western and central France and northern Spain to gain insight into the recolonisation dynamics of this elusive species. The present study, based on the use of 14 microsatellite markers, revealed that otter populations seem to be split into five distinct groups. The distribution of samples in those five clusters was closely correlated with suspected refugia where the otter probably survived during the 20th century. Admixture was observed between genetic lineages, possibly enhancing their genetic diversity and thus increasing the recolonisation dynamics of these populations. This phenomenon resembles the genetic pattern noted in many invasive exotic species derived from multiple sources and introduction events. Finally, a demographic approach revealed the probable link between historical human pressure and otter population fragmentation patterns