The 2026 ringing of slender-billed gull chicks, organised each year in collaboration with the LPO Paca, successfully ringed nearly 400 chicks at the Vieux Salins colony in Hyères.
Smaller and slimmer than the yellow-legged Gull, the slender-billed gull (Chroicocephalus genei) is a migratory bird that specializes in brackish wetlands. Found in Europe, Asia and Africa, its populations are scattered: the majority of breeding pairs are found in Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, but a few thousand are also found in Senegal and Mauritania, and more than 20,000 breeding pairs are present around the Mediterranean.
Although its numbers are on the rise in France, the species was once rare and found only in the Camargue. After being virtually absent until the end of the 20th century, between 1,500 and 2,000 pairs now breed at a handful of sites along the Mediterranean coast, from the Var to the Aude.
23 June 2026, 5.30 am: as the sun rises over the Hyères salt marshes, the teams are getting ready for the annual ringing campaign. Home to around 440 pairs and 700 chicks, the breeding colony at this site is one of the few breeding colonies of black-headed gulls in France.
Organised in partnership with LPO Paca and the Toulon Provence Méditerranée Metropolitan Area, the operation resulted in the ringing of 382 chicks. The majority of them will leave the Hyères salt marshes as early as this year: this ringing will enable them to be monitored, once they have fledged, as they travel throughout the Mediterranean basin.
A species monitored for nearly thirty years
The research programme on slender-billed gulls was initiated in 1997 by the Tour du Valat. The ringing and re-reading of rings have been less regular in recent years due to logistical constraints. In the Camargue, ringing is complicated by the presence of mixed colonies where slender-billed gulls nest alongside other species (black-headed gulls, sandwich terns, etc.) whose hatching periods are not synchronised with those of the slender-billed gulls. It is therefore impossible to disturb these species, which are still incubating their eggs, with a ringing operation.
This research programme has provided a better understanding of the factors driving the growth of this population in the south of France (Doxa et al. 2013[1]) and of how familiarity between individuals influences the species’ dispersal dynamics (Francesiaz et al. 2017[2]).
This ringing programme enables us to continue this long-term monitoring. It will allow us to study how the demographic parameters and ecology of this species are affected by the major changes affecting Mediterranean wetlands: risk of flooding, salinisation, changes in land use (closure/opening of salt pans), etc.
Applications for the 8th European Natura 2000 Award are open!
The European Commission has launched the 8th edition of the European Natura 2000 Award[3], which rewards excellence in the management of Natura 2000 sites and showcases the network’s added value for nature conservation, local communities and sustainable economies across the European Union.
Applications & info
Applications areopen[4]until 30 September 2026 (23:59 CEST) across 5 categories[5], including a new category dedicated to Natura 2000 sites in urban or peri-urban areas.
Marine & coastal
Towns & cities
Conservation on land
Community benefits
Public engagement
Plus, all finalists are automatically in the running for the European Citizens’ Award!
This edition also introduces updated selection criteria[6] and will once again include the European Citizens’ Award, chosen through a public vote.
The Natura 2000 legacy
Since its launch in 2014, the Natura 2000 Award has celebrated 7 editions and recognised 142 finalists and 35 winners from across Europe. This cycle Natura 2000 Award marks the 8th edition of the competition, continuing its legacy of showcasing excellence in Natura 2000 management, giving finalists valuable European visibility, and recognising winners as lasting examples of success in nature conservation.
PhD thesis | Ecology of a threatened nomadic duck species in Morocco, the Marbled Duck (Marmaronetta angustirostris): implications for conservation
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The Tour du Valat is helping to foster a new generation of wetland conservationinsts in the Mediterranean through its Mediterranean Ph.D. fellowship. This program funds, supervises, and supports Ph.D. students from non-European countries in the Mediterranean basin to strengthen local research capacity in collaboration with universities and conservation stakeholders.
As part of this initiative, on June 9, 2026, Haytem Bouchri defended his doctoral dissertation at PSL University – École Pratique des Hautes Études – following three years of research on the ecology of a threatened migratory duck, the Marbled duck.
Haytem during his doctoral thesis presentation
Haytem Bouchri studied this species in partnership with GREPOM (BirdLife Morocco) and Biosphère Environnement, under the supervision of Arnaud Béchet (Tour du Valat) and Rhimou El Hamoumi (Hassan II University of Casablanca), Jocelyn Champagnon (Tour du Valat) and Raphaël Musseau (Biosphère Environnement). The jury, composed of international experts in monitoring, in ducks and/or in wetlands, congratulated Haytem Bouchri on the excellence of his research, noting both the scientific quality of the work and its importance for the conservation of this species. Three articles are in preparation, including one on the population size of the Marbled duck in Morocco that is accepted for publication by the journal Animal Conservation.
Supervisors gathered for doctoral thesis submission
ABSTRACT:
‘Ecology of a threatened nomadic duck species in Morocco, the Marbled Duck (Marmaronetta angustirostris): implications for conservation’
Mediterranean wetlands are among the most threatened ecosystems globally, facing increasing pressures from water abstraction, land-use change, and climate-driven water scarcity — pressures especially acute in North Africa. Among the species most affected is the Marbled duck (Marmaronetta angustirostris), a Near Threatened species characterised by nomadic movements, whose western Mediterranean population declined by 46% between 2008 and 2018. Several aspects of its ecology nonetheless remain poorly understood, particularly the size of its breeding population, its movement strategies, and its patterns of habitat use.
This thesis addresses these gaps through three complementary chapters. In the first, a two-stage random sampling design analysed with hierarchical N-mixture models estimated the Moroccan national breeding population at 386 broods [95% CrI: 283–487], providing the first robust national-scale estimate for the species. In the second, combining GPS telemetry with tri-axial accelerometry enabled the classification of five behavioural categories and revealed a marked organisation between daytime roosting and nocturnal foraging, alongside strong inter-individual variation in functional space use. In the third, tracking data from 24 individuals captured in Morocco and Spain showed that wetland type is the main driver of habitat use, with the species relying predominantly on anthropogenic wetlands, and with habitat use modulated by rainfall variability.
Overall, this thesis provides new insights into the spatial ecology of the Marbled duck in North Africa and offers a scientific basis for improving monitoring, habitat restoration, and conservation strategies for the species.
Evidence for a relationship between bird body size and uncertainty in individual morphological measurements at ringing
A ringing form used in the 1960s to record the morphometric data of ringed birds.
For several decades, bird ringing programmes have been a key source of data for the study of bird populations . These programmes are used, notably, to monitor population dynamics, the physical condition of individuals and the responses of species to environmental changes such as climate change. The reliability of the morphometric measurements collected during these programmes is therefore a significant issue.
A recent study, based on historical data collected at the Tour du Valat between 1952 and 1978, highlights the existence of operator-related inaccuracies (arising from the person taking the measurement) in morphometric measurements carried out as part of long-term ringing programmes. It analyses the extent of these inaccuracies according to the size of the species concerned and the morphological characteristics measured.
The analysis covers 17,818 individuals belonging to 14 bird species, for which three morphometric parameters were examined: wing length, body mass and a body condition index.
The results show that wing length exhibits low variability between ringers, with a deviation from the mean of less than 1% of the total measurement. This measurement therefore appears to be robust overall, even in a context involving numerous ringers and surveys carried out over a long period.
Greater variability in body mass and body condition index
In contrast, greater differences between operators are observed for body mass, with variations of up to 10% of the total measurement. The body condition index, calculated from body mass and wing length, shows similar results, directly reflecting this variability.
These variations show that certain measurements are influenced by species characteristics, the equipment used (such as dynamometers), and the specific practices of each operator.
Greater effects in larger species
The study also shows that larger species (such as Mallard ducks) are proportionally more affected by these variations in measurement. This finding suggests that the size of the individuals is a key factor in the extent of the discrepancies observed between operators.
A key challenge for the analysis of long-term datasets
These findings highlight the importance of taking observer-related effects into account when analysing long-term ringing data. They suggest that particular attention should be paid to the measurement of morphological characteristics, especially in larger species.
Beyond this observation, this study helps to improve documentation of the sources of variability in field data, which is essential for enhancing the accuracy of ecological analyses based on long-term monitoring.
Publication reference:
Martinais, Y., Gaget, E., Guillemain, M., & Francesiaz, C. (2026). Evidence for a relationship between bird body size and uncertainty in individual morphological measurements at ringing. Bird Study, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/00063657.2026.2686446 [7]
On 10 July 1976, the Nature Conservation Law was proclaimed, after being passed unanimously. This landmark legislation profoundly transformed environmental law by establishing the protection of species, natural areas and biological balances as an objective in the public interest. As the ecological crisis worsens, this legacy is now under threat.
Resulting from several decades of scientific research, campaigning by organisations and civic engagement, the 1976 Act provided our country with the principles and mechanisms that frame environmental legislation: species protection, nature reserves, impact assessments, and the recognition of nature as a common heritage.
This anniversary should be a time to celebrate. Instead, it happens during a process of methodical dismantling of the tools for nature conservation built up over half a century, with no regard for the future and the safety of French people – robust ecosystems that enable us to better cope with the effects of climate change such as drought, heatwaves and floods – or for France’s international and European commitments.
The ‘agricultural emergency’ law currently under discussion in Parliament is a further example of this. The return of neonicotinoids, the weakening of protection for wetlands and water resources, the undermining of the balance within local water governance bodies, the authorisation to shoot a protected species – the wolf – in nature reserves and the heart of national parks, and so on.
Despite the public participation in environmental matters being part of the Constitution since 2005, this draft law seeks to reduce and alter the time limits and procedures for appeals.Our environmental democracy is thus being undermined, and this is, sadly, accompanied by the silence of governments regarding the violent attacks on individuals, organisations or public bodies (such as the French Biodiversity Agency) that serve and defend nature conservation and seek to apply the rule of law.
France cannot celebrate a historic law whilst simultaneously undermining it. In light of the ecological emergency, the anniversary of the 1976 Law should be an opportunity to reconnect with the principles that led to its unanimous adoption by the French Parliament: a long-term vision, supported by scientific knowledge and serving the public interest.
For decades – and for some organisations, for over a century – the nature conservation sector has successfully mobilised a significant proportion of the population and numerous experts to study biodiversity, develop innovative initiatives to preserve and raise awareness of it, and support the work of national authorities. This has led to the establishment of a remarkable network of protected areas. It is this entire collective effort, spanning more than three generations, undertaken not for private gain but for the public good, that is now being undermined, whilst biodiversity continues to decline. A 32.5% decline in common bird populations in agricultural areas since 2001, a 70% loss of hedgerows since 2050, and a 50% loss of wetlands over recent decades…
We, committed to the protection and restoration of nature for the benefit of society as a whole, affirm that the protection of nature is neither a luxury nor a form of nostalgia: it is a vital, democratic, ethical and civilisational imperative. Protecting nature means giving humanity greater confidence in the future.
Albania: a new initiative to strengthen the conservation of the Divjaka-Karavasta dune ecosystems
On 9 and 10 June 2026, the Tour du Valat and the Conservatoire du littoral, both members of the Mediterranean Biodiversity Consortium (CMB), carried out a monitoring mission in the Divjaka-Karavasta National Park (DKNP) in Albania as part of the RESCOM project.
Focusing on dune ecosystems – which remain little studied and are often underestimated in Albania despite their significant ecological value – this mission brought together teams from RAPA-Fier (the site’s managers) and the NGO PPNEA[13], in charge of the ecological assessment, as well as several local stakeholders.
The site visits provided an opportunity to share early assessment results, which confirm the site’s ecological importance, notably with the identification of a breeding area for the Little Tern requiring special attention. Discussions also highlighted the main pressures on the dunes, in particular uncontrolled vehicle and visitor traffic.
A consultation workshop then brought together technical partners, the municipality of Divjakë, representatives of fishermen and of tourism operators to identify solutions fitting the local context. Among the options under consideration are the regulation of access routes, the development of parking areas, the protection of the most sensitive areas and the shifting of tourism activities towards more environmentally friendly practices.
This initiative reflects a shared commitment to reconciling the conservation of natural habitats, landscape quality and local development. The partners will continue their work over the coming months to finalise the ecological assessment and define a pilot project that could be implemented from 2027.
The mission also provided an opportunity to visit the reforestation works supported by RESCOM[14] across two hectares in the surrounding hills, carried out by the NGO Iliria, as well as the restoration activities on the Crested Pelican’s nesting island in the Karavasta lagoon – the species’ only breeding site in Albania – led by the NGO AOS.
Alongside this, on 17 June, AOS organised and facilitated an online technical workshop bringing together several international experts to discuss the findings of the ongoing feasibility study into the long-term conservation and restoration of the islet, in light of climate change, and its increased risks of erosion and flooding. The discussions helped to inform the study and guide future conservation efforts.
Wetlands & the Agricultural Emergency Bill: fieldwork stakeholders are appalled
The emergency agricultural bill currently under discussion could lead to an unprecedented weakening of wetland protection. Although this measure has received little media attention, it could nevertheless have a lasting negative impact on the quality of life of the French people.
In an era of climate change, heatwaves and catastrophic flooding, wetlands are valuable adaptation tools to safeguard the health of both the land and its people. These marshes, peat bogs and ponds protect us from droughts and floods, provide us with high-quality water, and help to mitigate climate change.
It is these essential services that the legislator intended to safeguard through the 1992 Water Act. This protective framework is not an obstacle: it is a tool for dialogue and for ensuring the viability of projects. For many years, protected area managers, local authorities and organisations have been working alongside farmers – the primary users and managers of these environments – to seek balanced solutions and support practices that reconcile agricultural production with the conservation of water resources and the preservation of biodiversity. The current framework allows for the continuation of agricultural activities compatible with these environments, such as extensive livestock farming.
Our organisations regret that isolated cases of blocked progress or administrative complexity – which have been clearly identified and often already addressed at the local level – are now being used to justify a general rewriting of the rules. This line of reasoning leads to a weakening of the yet essential protection framework, despite the fact that the case-by-case approach has proven its effectiveness.
We are also concerned about the devaluation of scientific and technical expertise, which undermines decades of monitoring and mapping of wetlands, as well as lessons learnt from their management. Many of the arguments put forward in favour of weaker protections are based on falsehoods: no, 30% of the country’s territory is not classified as wetlands; no, entire departments are not classified as wetlands.
This project does not simplify: it disrupts and divides. It introduces new exceptions that complicate the system and make it incomprehensible and impossible to implement. It undermines local initiatives by pitting against one another stakeholders who had learnt to work together, and paves the way for greater conflict.
It runs counter to the objectives set by the Government, which has committed to restoring 50,000 ha of wetlands by 2030: how can this be achieved if we are facilitating their destruction?
We call on decision-makers to reject this bill and to engage in a genuine dialogue with field experts in order to develop appropriate solutions.
Thirty years of monitoring European pond turtles in the Camargue!
Every morning, from May to July, Alana Bell puts on her waders and makes her way to the marshes and canals of the Tour du Valat estate, in search of European pond turtles. This small black turtle with yellow markings is the only species of freshwater turtle native to a large part of Europe. Unfortunately, this species is now under threat: the destruction and degradation of wetlands – its natural habitat – are the main causes of its decline.
To better protect this species, the Tour du Valat launched, in 1997, a programme to monitor European pond turtle populations across its estate. Thirty years on, this programme is still ongoing and has provided valuable insights into the species as a whole.
“At the Tour du Valat, this long-term individual monitoring programme is the second longest-running, after the one on flamingos. And, across Europe, it is the oldest Capture-Mark-Recapture programme dedicated to European pond turtles that is still ongoing! ” according to Anthony Olivier, the research engineer leading this project at the Tour du Valat
Although the scientific monitoring programme began in 1997, the first markings of individual turtles at the Tour du Valat were carried out by Alan Johnson in 1976.
These early efforts have proved valuable, as during recent surveys, European pond turtles tagged fifty years ago have been found alive. This is the case with European pond turtle No. 14, tagged in 1976. Now over 50 years old, this female is, to our knowledge, the oldest known individual of the species living in the wild.
However, the study of European pond turtles provides insights not only into the species itself : its longevity and highly sedentary nature make it a ‘sentinel’ species, capable of reflecting the variations occurring in its aquatic environment. For instance, articles based on Leslie-Anne Merleau’s PhD thesis have demonstrated the multi-contamination of these European pond turtle populations in the Tour du Valat Reserve by trace elements[19] (heavy metals), pesticide residues[20] and organic pollutants[21] (PCBs, phthalates, PAHs) present in the waters of the Camargue’s water channels and marshes.
The continuity of this unique monitoring programme owes much to the commitment of young researchers, students and volunteers from the Civic Service programme and/or the European Solidarity Corps. Each year, a lead volunteer conducts fieldwork under the supervision of Anthony Olivier. Since 1997, dozens of young people have taken part in these campaigns, helping to collect data on the 1,722 European pond turtles tagged to date on the Tour du Valat estate.
For many, this experience marks their first immersion in scientific fieldwork. They learn to observe, to collect data rigorously, and to interact with wild animals whilst minimising disturbance as much as possible. Beyond the technical skills, a holistic approach is being passed on: one that encompasses scientific protocols, the patience required to observe living creatures, and the responsibility that comes with accessing preserved natural areas such as nature reserves.
“During the year I spent at the Tour du Valat, monitoring European pond turtles was my biggest field project. Thanks to Anthony’s mentorship, I was able to discover a side of the scientific world I hadn’t known before. It was wonderful to get to know this species up close, day after day. I was thrilled to contribute to this project, and particularly to be able to observe individuals such as European pond turtle number 14, which was identified fifty years ago.”
Testimonial from Alana Bell, a volunteer with the European Solidarity Corps (ESC)
DWatch a video about the European pond turtle monitoring programme, produced by students at the MoPA school (in French):
Advocacy: when the acceleration of projects puts wetlands under pressure
From major infrastructure projects in the Camargue to legislative developments in France and Europe, a number of recent decisions have raised concerns about the priority given to environmental issues in policies. For the Tour du Valat, these debates highlight the importance of fully taking into account the services provided by wetlands, as well as available scientific knowledge, before any decision that could have long-lasting impacts on these ecosystems.
In the Camargue, the proposed extra-high-voltage aerial power line between Fos-sur-Mer and the Gard reached a new milestone on 13 May, when the Ministry of Energy initiated the procedure to examine its declaration of public utility. In response, fifteen nature conservation and civil society organisations, including the Tour du Valat, have issued a formal appeal to the government, reminding authorities that the Camargue cannot be sacrificed in the name of energy sovereignty.
A public consultation is open from 15 June to 15 July regarding the proposed Fos–Jonquières extra-high-voltage aerial power line. This stage enables town planning documents to be adapted to the project. Anyone can take part and have their say: your contribution matters! More information >>[23]
Other projects, like the Arles highway bypass or the Barcarin Bridge, could also have direct impacts on the Camargue. Yet this territory hosts natural areas recognised at international level.
An analysis of the cumulative effects[24] of these projects highlights significant risks in terms of land artificialisation, damage to sensitive ecological areas, and pressure on water resources.
Beyond environmental impacts, democratic concerns are also emerging. Several recommendations from the public debate organised by the National Commission for Public Debate (CNDP) have largely been ignored, and calls to explore alternative solutions with less impact have fallen on deaf ears. This situation echoes the Arles highway bypass project: despite the reservations and the investigating commissioner’s unfavourable opinion[25] on several aspects of the proposal, the project developer appears determined to move forward.
These local accelerations reflect a broader trend in which biodiversity considerations struggle to find their place in the face of economic and production imperatives.
At national level, the draft Emergency Law on Agricultural Protection and Sovereignty is a case in point. Certain provisions, notably Article 7, which directly affect wetlands, are causing serious concern. The Tour du Valat, alongside other organisations, is closely monitoring the debates and is taking action. More informations (in french) >>[26]
This law reflects a persistent view of wetlands as constraints on agricultural production. Yet their role is now well documented: they contribute to the resilience of water resources, mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events and store carbon.
At European level, signals are equally mixed. Following a previous term marked by the ambitions of the Green Deal, several key pieces of legislation could be reviewed as part of the ‘environmental omnibus’, notably the Water Framework Directive[27], as well as the Habitats and Birds Directives.
In Brussels, too, discussions regarding restrictions on the use of lead in hunting ammunition and fishing tackle are a major issue for waterbirds and wetlands. The Tour du Valat, which has long worked on lead poisoning and lead shot hunting in the Camargue, is closely following these discussions and contributing to advocacy efforts in support of its ban, with its partners like Wetlands International and Birdlife.
In a shifting political landscape, one conviction remains: wetlands cannot continue to be treated as mere variables to be adjusted. Faced with climate challenges, biodiversity loss and growing pressures on water resources, they are, on the contrary, an essential part of the solution.
Lake Chad: New Scientific Study Reveals One of Africa’s Largest Concentrations of Waterbirds
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The new scientific study, “Monitoring major biodiversity stronghold in war zones: model predicts Lake Chad remains Africa’s most important wetland for waterbirds”, published in PNAS, estimates that Lake Chad supports nearly 2.5 million waterbirds, making it one of the most important wetlands for birdlife in Africa. Conducted in a region affected by insecurity, the research also suggests that some conflict zones may unexpectedly serve as refuges for biodiversity.
Lake Chad is often associated with the security, humanitarian, and climate challenges facing the region. However, a new international study highlights another reality: an exceptional ecosystem that continues to support remarkable biodiversity despite more than a decade of conflict.
Using aerial surveys conducted under rigorous scientific protocols and advanced spatial modelling techniques, researchers from Tour du Valat and the French Biodiversity Agency (Office Français de la Biodiversité – OFB), in partnership with the NGO Wings for Conservation and Chad’s Department of Wildlife and Protected Areas, produced the first comprehensive estimates of Lake Chad’s waterbird populations since 2008.
The results are striking: approximately 2.48 million waterbirds are estimated to use the site, making it likely the largest concentration of wetland birds on the African continent.
An Unexpected Refuge for Wildlife
Contrary to common assumptions, researchers found that some species have maintained or even increased their populations in recent years. Several conflict-affected areas even showed higher animal densities than more accessible sectors.
This pattern may be explained by a “refuge effect”. Reduced human activities—including fishing, grazing, and hunting—may have created favourable conditions for wildlife.
However, the researchers caution that these encouraging findings should not obscure a more nuanced reality. While some species appear to be benefiting from current conditions, others are experiencing worrying declines, highlighting the vulnerability of this globally important ecosystem and the need for continued monitoring and conservation efforts.
Is Biodiversity Monitoring Possible in Conflict Zones?
Historically, Lake Chad was widely recognised as a major site for migratory waterbirds, comparable to the Inner Niger Delta in Mali. However, due to conflict and the resulting security challenges, scientific monitoring—including the International Waterbird Census, which tracks population sizes and trends—has not been conducted regularly since the 2000s.
Without ecological data from these key sites, estimating the size and trends of bird populations becomes extremely difficult.
“By combining adapted aerial sampling methods with spatial modelling, we were able to estimate wildlife abundance across vast and difficult-to-access territories while limiting risks to observers,” explains Pierre Defos du Rau, one of the study’s authors.
A Global Challenge for Biodiversity and Food Security
Lake Chad plays a crucial role for migratory birds travelling annually between Africa, Europe, and Asia. Conserving this wetland is therefore an international responsibility.
Beyond its ecological importance, the site also supports local livelihoods. Waterbirds and the resources associated with wetland ecosystems contribute directly to the food security of many communities living around the lake.
In light of these findings, the researchers call for strengthened protection of Lake Chad through the creation of a large-scale protected area and the inscription of the site on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Scientific monitoring of this kind is essential for understanding changes in wildlife populations and informing future conservation strategies.
At a time when wetlands are disappearing worldwide at an alarming rate, Lake Chad stands out as a natural heritage site of exceptional global importance, whose preservation is vital both for biodiversity and for local communities.
Publication reference:
Defos du Rau P., Godeau U., Carenton N., Dias J., Wachoum A.S., Trolliet B., Baddour K., Chaibo A., Morin G.P., Portier B., Suet M., Tormos T., Mondain-Monval J.-Y., Deschamps C. 2026. Monitoring major biodiversity stronghold in war zones: Model predicts Lake Chad remains Africa’s most important wetland for waterbirds. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 123:e2603538123. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2603538123[28]
The new 2025 cuvées from the Tour du Valat agroecological farm have arrived!
This year, Tour du Valat wines are reinventing themselves with a completely redesigned visual identity.From Dune, Plume, Roseau, Élégante, Doré, Étoilé, and Pourpré Sauvage to Immortelle and Sultane, each new cuvée draws inspiration from a species or natural habitat emblematic of the Camargue wetlands.
Produced using organic farming methods, these wines derive their character from a terroir where agriculture and nature mutually enrich one another.At Mas du Petit Saint-Jean, the vines grow in tune with the natural equilibrium: cover cropping between rows, eco-grazing by sheep, pollinator-friendly hedgerows, bat boxes for natural pest control, hand-harvesting, and agroecological practices designed to meet tomorrow’s challenges.Some grape varieties have even been selected for their resilience to climate change.
The result?Limited-production wines, made on site, that tell the story of the species and environments they help to protect.
Beyond the pleasure of enjoying fine wines, every bottle supports the work of Tour du Valat, a research institute dedicated to the conservation of Mediterranean wetlands since over 70 years.
Plume evokes the pink flamingos that inhabit the ponds of the Camargue. Light, fresh, and sociable, it is the perfect companion for moments shared under the Mediterranean sun. Add food pairing.
Étoilé, a rosé de saignée, with more intense aromas, takes its name from the Great Bittern, an elusive bird emblematic of wetlands that finds refuge in the reed beds. A wine with real character, reflecting the species that inspired it. Add food pairing.
The Tour du Valat Agroecological Farm: Two Sites in the Camargue
Located in the heart of the Camargue, Tour du Valat manages two complementary sites dedicated to research, conservation, and agroecology.
The main estate, situated at Le Sambuc (Arles), spans 2,817 hectares, a portion of which is designated as a Regional Nature Reserve. It combines the protection of remarkable natural habitats – such as temporary marshes, sansouïres (salt marshes), salt meadows, and montilles (sandy ridges) – with traditional agricultural activities, including extensive cattle and Camargue horse rearing, as well as organic rice, wheat, and hay cultivation. This area is home to exceptional biodiversity: over 590 plant species, 300 bird species, and more than 1,600 invertebrate species.
In the Gard, in western Camargue, the Mas du Petit Saint-Jean (101 hectares) serves as an exemplary site where agriculture and biodiversity coexist, enrich and reinforce each other. It combines natural area management with diversified agricultural production (vineyards, agroforestry, and meadow orchards) and acts as a showcase site to demonstrate the compatibility of farming activities with biodiversity conservation.
3 QUESTIONS FOR Olivier Thérond, MAELIA platform development coordinator
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Olivier Therond, an agronomist with a passion for modelling, is the development coordinator for the MAELIA platform. He answers our questions about the future scientific challenges facing MAELIA-Delta, the prospects for implementing the model in other regions, and the importance of engaging with local actors in order to design a decision-support tool that is as closely aligned as possible with the realities of the Camargue.
1/ What are the next scientific challenges for making MAELIA-Delta correspond even more closely to the reality in the field?
MAELIA aims to integrate academic and local knowledge on the structure and dynamics of ecological and socio-economic systems and their interactions. In its current version, MAELIA-Delta models the interactions between agriculture and daily water flows in plots influenced by the climate. To achieve our objective of modelling the Camargue, we still need to incorporate the representation of water flows in irrigation and drainage canals, their relationships with lagoons and marshes, and the dynamics of the bird and fish species on which conservation priorities are focused. We already have most of the building blocks needed for these modelling extensions; the challenge now is to link them together in a coherent way. We will then need to enable MAELIA-Delta to quantify management indicators that are meaningful to stakeholders in the Camargue.
2/ Do you think this approach could be applied to other areas facing similar challenges?
We have designed the developments to be as generic as possible, meaning they can be applied to any region whose general characteristics are similar to those of the Camargue: natural and man-made water flows, hydro-salinity dynamics arising from the interactions between hydrology and irrigated agriculture. MAELIA-Delta is therefore intended to be used in other deltas to support local stakeholders in defining their parameters for balanced water management. But one thing at a time: we first plan to further develop the model before rolling it out in other areas.
3/ How have discussions with managers and local stakeholders influenced the development of the model?
As with any modelling process aimed at supporting decision-making, the issues raised by stakeholders involved in managing a territory determine and frame the development work. In Rose Rodier’s PhD thesis,[1] we implemented a conceptual modelling approach based on gathering and formalising the knowledge of local experts on these issues. This conceptual model enabled us to define the modelling objectives in detail, that is the entities and processes to be represented, the scenarios to be simulated, and the indicators to be assessed. The modelling process was therefore organised to meet these needs; this ensures the tool is relevant for addressing the questions raised by stakeholders in the Camargue.
