New methodology for vegetation habitat mapping and tool for analysing habitat utilization in GPS-collared species experiments

Snapshot Solution

by Philippe XERIDAT, Office national de la chasse et de la faune sauvage

Sedum candollei

ONCFS

With a natural habitat map unchanged since 2003, the announce in 2015 of future GPS-collars availability for research teams to implement habitat utilization on Pyrenean chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra pyrenaica) and Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus aquitanicus) pointed out the need of its evaluation and update.

The first work of evaluation conducted in late 2015 concluded for an update experimenting a standardized methodology.

Fieldwork ran on two campaigns in spring-summer 2016 and 2017 producing data covering the third of the reserve expanse, the rest was interpreted through an equivalence relation between physical factors and habitat value to complete the map.

As the first equipped animals were captured and released during summer 2017, the map and its database were operational in winter 2017.

Last update: 02 Aug 2019

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Context

Challenges addressed

Land and Forest degradation

Loss of Biodiversity

Conflicting uses / cumulative impacts

Pollution (incl. eutrophication and litter)

Ecosystem loss

Poor governance and participation

Social conflict and civil unrest

Scale of implementation

Local

Ecosystems

Rangeland / Pasture

Temperate deciduous forest

Temperate evergreen forest

Pool, lake, pond

River, stream

Wetland (swamp, marsh, peatland)

Temperate grassland, savanna, shrubland

Tundra or montane grassland

Theme

Habitat fragmentation and degradation

Species management

Adaptation

Restoration

Protected and conserved areas management planning

Science and research

Standards/ certification

Location

RNCFS d'Orlu, Ariège, France

West and South Europe

Impacts

The new natural habitat map targeted at least four objectives :

Firstly, create a database for endangered plant species or vegetation habitats monitoring.
By regular updates, the map will be able to address climate-change-driven changes on vegetation and dynamic effects on forests and grasslands.
When local actors as livestock farmers ask for grassland layouts and clearings, the map provide a good tool for assessing sustainability of their application.
Last but not least, the map database provide a support for analyzing habitat utilization in the GPS-collars-based studies, comparing data of localizations and spans of presence for each type of habitat censused in the protected area.

So the impacts are positive at three levels, contributing to:

improve sustainability of pastoral projects and works inside the protected area
better understand habitat utilization of emblematic species and consequently improve targeting habitat protection measures
maintain conservation objectives of the management plan in balance between vegetal and animal stakes.

The methodology driving this work has been evaluated in early 2018 and might be published by the end of the year, expanding the tools range proposed at national level for protected areas vegetation mapping

Related result : rediscovery of one orchid species (LAIGNEAU, F. & FAYET, B., 2018. Redécouverte de Traunsteinera globosa dans les Pyrénées)