Every year, the Tour du Valat sets photographic traps near colonies of Eurasian spoonbills in the Camargue, enabling us to collect several thousand photographs. By taking part in the ‘Where is Spoony?’ campaign, you can help us to analyse these photos, identify the Eurasian Spoonbills and gain a better understanding of their breeding and migration behaviour.

Monitoring Eurasian Spoonbills

Since 2008, the Tour du Valat has been running a programme to monitor Spoonbill populations in the Camargue. This monitoring consists of an annual assessment of the population of the White Spoonbill colonies and the ringing of the chicks. By fitting a white Darvic ring with 4 black letters and numbers, we can then identify them individually throughout their lives. To date, more than 24,000 observations of Eurasian Spoonbills in Europe and Africa have been made as part of this programme.

In order to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms influencing the population dynamics of the Eurasian Spoonbill in Europe, the Tour du Valat installs camera traps near breeding colonies in the Camargue. Each year, these cameras capture more than 30,000 photographs! This is a huge amount of information, which would be a long and tedious job for a single observer. What’s more, as some of the rings that appear are blurred or distant, they could easily be overlooked without several checks.

A participatory science programme

Efficient analysis of this vast amount of data is made possible by public participation in the project. « Where is Spoony ?  ^[1]». By reading and identifying the rings worn by the spoonbills in the images, the survey participants enabled us to extract data from the images taken by the camera traps.

We can then identify which birds have survived the winter and which are breeding in the Camargue. Additional information such as the sex of the bird, the breeding partner, or even unusual events (such as the intrusion of predators like wild boar) can also be identified. To date, the involvement of over 6,000 volunteers has made it possible to process more than 40,000 photos.

The White Spoonbill

The Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) is a large bird, averaging 90 cm in length and weighing around 2 kg when fully grown. It takes its name from its characteristic long, black, spatula-shaped beak, which distinguishes it from all other large European waders. Its plumage is entirely white, with black legs and a yellow breast patch. The plumage of juveniles is very similar to that of adults: they can be distinguished by the black tips of their flight feathers. Spoonbills are wetland birds, preferring freshwater marshes, lagoons or estuaries close to the coastline.
In France, the Eurasian Spoonbill is considered to be near-threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s French Red List and benefits from an International Action Plan for its conservation.

Click here to take part in the Where is Spoony? survey. ^[1]

By modifying ecosystems, global warming disrupts the distribution and dynamics of species. In this context, migratory waterbirds are particularly sensitive to temperature variations. A recent study, based on 25 years of waterbird observation data from Sweden, examines these complex dynamics, focusing on possible interactions between climate variations and bird habitat characteristics.

This study analyzes the responses of 18 waterbird species to global warming, focusing on the northern limit of their winter distribution ranges. Based on data from 2,982 counts carried out in Sweden over a 25-year period, the researchers used Hierarchical Modelling of Species Communities (HMSC) to examine how winter temperatures and habitat characteristics influence changes in the presence and abundance of these populations.
Overall, this study demonstrates that not all phylogenetic groups of waterbirds are impacted in the same way by climate variations. It also highlights the importance of protected areas and large wetlands for waterbirds during Sweden’s warm winters.

Over the 25 years of data used in the study, winter temperatures rose by an average of 1.29°C at the sites studied. The majority of species responded positively to this increase, with a higher probability of presence and abundance during warmer winters. Indeed, while wetlands are generally frozen during winter in Sweden, warmer temperatures create potential habitats for waterbirds. The species most responsive to rising temperatures are those with the warmest thermal niches.

• The occurrence and abundance of waterbirds is positively related to the size of the site and its protection status within the Natura 2000 network. For 60% of species, this positive occurrence and abundance is even more significant during the warmest winters.
• The interaction between higher winter temperatures and the abundance of species known to frequent urbanized areas is mainly negative. These results could be explained by three non-exclusive hypotheses: 1) some species may benefit from urbanized surfaces during cold winters due to an urban heat island effect; 2) if urban wetlands are less likely to freeze, running water may be more abundant there; or 3) additional food inputs (e.g. feeding ducks in the city) may improve the availability of food resources for some dabbling ducks, particularly in cold winters.
• Sites surrounded by agricultural land are particularly attractive for species known to graze on fields, such as Greylag Geese (Anser anser), Harvest Geese (A. fabalis), White-fronted Geese (A. albifrons) and Whooper Swans (Cygnus cygnus).

This study shows that in Sweden, changes in the occurrence and abundance of waterbirds in response to rising winter temperatures were impacted by the type of habitat concerned, resulting in a stronger or weaker response to temperature. In this sense, the authors of the study conclude that conservation strategies aimed at improving the response of waterbirds to global warming by facilitating their changes in distribution must include the protection of natural habitats, the restoration of degraded wetlands and the rewilding of surrounding areas.

Référence bibliographique

Gaget E., Ovaskainen O., Bradter U., Haas F., Jonas L., Johnston A., Langendoen T., Lehikoinen A.S., Pärt T., Pavón-Jordán D., Sandercock B.K., Soultan A., Brommer J.E. Changes in waterbird occurrence and abundance at their northern range boundaries in response to climate warming: importance of site area and protection status. Animal Conservation [Internet] [cited 2024 Nov 6]. doi: 10.1111/acv.12998 ^[2]

Contact

Elie GAGET ^[3] – Research scientist – statistical ecology
E-mail ^[4] | +33 (0)4 90 97 29 78

Cathy-Anna Valentini, Regional Affairs and Biodiversity Project Manager, Rhone-Mediterranean and Corsica (RMC) Water Agency, Paca and Corsica Delegation, answers our questions about the ‘Turquoise infrastructure’ concept and the Rest-Chir’Eau project, supported by the Agency in its deployment.

1. THE RMC WATER AGENCY IS SUPPORTING PROJECTS TO RESTORE THE “TURQUOISE INFRASTRUCTURE.” CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THIS CONCEPT?

The RMC Water Agency has been pursuing an ambitious biodiversity policy under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) since 1964. We support restoration projects aimed at achieving good ecological and chemical water status through various programmes. Our aim is to preserve biodiversity and guarantee the proper functioning of essential ecological processes (reproduction, movement, maintenance of nutritive areas) and to strengthen the resilience of habitats that face climate change.

Historically, we have only worked on the “blue infrastructure,” linked to aquatic environments. Since 2016, in line with the “Law for the Reconquest of Biodiversity, Nature and Landscapes,” the Water Agency has extended its remit and areas of intervention that now include terrestrial and marine biodiversity. The concept of “turquoise infrastructure” emerged in this context and is defined locally by the RMC Water Agency to delimit a new geographical area of intervention in which biodiversity will be restored and preserved. The “turquoise infrastructure” takes account of terrestrial environments that are closely linked to aquatic environments, to better protect the species that depend on these two habitat areas to complete their life cycle. In practical terms, certain species that are dependent on aquatic environments must, at some point, leave the water to complete essential stages of their life cycle on land, whether to reproduce, feed, or move around. These species include amphibians, damselflies and dragonflies, and certain mammals, including certain chiropteran species (bats).

At the end of 2024, the Water Agency’s 11th programme (2019-2024) will come to an end. In this context, we have developed a call for projects “Water and biodiversity” aimed at restoring ecological continuity and habitats within the turquoise infrastructure to encourage the movement of target species that use aquatic and wetland environments. 235 projects aimed at restoring this “turquoise infrastructure” were selected throughout the RMC basin over the course of the 11th programme, with aid totaling approximately €35.7 million out of a total project value of €57.1 million.

Continuing in this direction, the Water Agency’s 12th programme (2025-2030) will be adopted by the Agency’s Board of Directors before the end of the year. It provides for a more advantageous rate of aid (80% instead of the current 70%), enabling €600 million to be mobilised over the next six years to support the preservation and restoration of aquatic and wetland environments, including turquoise infrastructure (subject to approval by the Board of Directors). We are aware that these policies require a long-term commitment, which is why it is so important for certain stakeholders to submit new applications so they can continue actions already in progress.

2. WHY DID THE REST-CHIR’EAU PROJECT ATTRACT YOUR ATTENTION?

The Rest-Chir’Eau project is particularly interesting for its twofold approach. On the one hand, a methodological dimension, providing a better understanding of the issues and the methods for reconnecting wetlands to facilitate the movement of chiropterans; and on the other, an operational dimension, aimed at defining the actions required to restore turquoise infrastructure.

In addition, it’s part of a coherent approach for us, as it follows on from an initial project funded by the RMC Water Agency on the Petit Badon site: having worked on restoring the wetlands themselves, we’re now focusing on interconnecting them to re-establish the ecological corridors essential for the movement of species that depend on these habitats, such as bats. This fits in perfectly with our objectives.

The approach is also quite innovative, as we have not yet worked on any initiatives assessing the functionality of wetlands and the turquoise infrastructure from the point of view of chiropterans. It could therefore serve as a reference for other similar projects in the future. This feedback will also enable us to promote similar initiatives in areas with comparable characteristics, based on a tried and tested methodology for tackling these issues.

The citizen science developed in Rest-Chir’Eau also represents a particularly interesting aspect for us in the context of this project. The 2022-2027 SDAGE (Master Plan for the Refurbishment and Management of Water Resources), which defines the water policy framework for each river basin, and the Water Plan emphasise the need to involve the general public more closely and raise awareness on the issues involved in preserving water, aquatic environments, and biodiversity in the broadest sense of the term. Informing and involving the general public in local projects is often crucial to their success, as it generally leads to a better understanding of the issues and objectives, and even enhances the project.

3. COULD YOU GIVE US SOME EXAMPLES OF OTHER PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY THE WATER AGENCY THAT HELP CHIROPTERANS?

As part of the “Water and Biodiversity” call for projects in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur region, several interesting initiatives have been aimed at restoring habitats and continuity for bats in the turquoise infrastructure, such as the rebuilding of hedgerow networks so as to reconnect aquatic and wetland environments. One example is a project with the Camargue Regional Nature Park ^[5], which submitted a project in 2024 to restore hedgerow networks for chiropterans within the turquoise infrastructure. The project was selected by the jury and should receive aid from the Water Agendy. For more than 30 years, the Camargue RNP has run an annual reforestation campaign aimed at local residents. Since 2018, it has also been supporting the restoration of wooded corridors in the wetlands of the Camargue, by planting hedges along the edges of agricultural fields. More than 6 km of hedges have been planted in a project guided by the RNP, in partnership with volunteer farmers, the Bouches-du-Rhône Chamber of Agriculture, the Tour du Valat, and the Provence Chiropteran Group (GCP). The Camargue RNP wishes to continue this turquoise infrastructure reconnection process, with the aim of planting an additional 20 km of hedgerows by the spring of 2027.

It is important to note that, in addition to the biodiversity issues, these types of projects can also contribute to other objectives, which can increase the involvement of local stakeholders, such as:

• Improving the quality of agricultural land in the context of climate change;
• Preserving natural resources, keeping water in the soil, limiting irrigation needs;
• Preventing soil erosion, promoting water purification, and mitigating natural risks;
• Encouraging crop auxiliaries, reducing or avoiding spraying, promoting pollination;
• Producing a wind-breaking effect and providing shade for livestock.

To find out more about the Water Agency’s commitment to biodiversity and wetlands, visist the visit the agency’s website. ^[6]

Backed by the Tour du Valat until 2027, the Rest-Chir’Eau project is based on an innovative approach that studies bat activity to assess the ecological functionality^{[1] [7]} of wetlands while guiding their restoration. By combining field monitoring, citizen science, and awareness-raising activities, Rest-Chir’Eau aims to increase the still limited knowledge on this subject, while encouraging the involvement of local stakeholders.

This project will contribute to global expertise on the management and restoration of wetlands, while promoting the conservation of threatened species including bats. The data collected will be used to draw up a local restoration plan for the former Bras de Fer branch of the River Rhone in the Camargue.

Are bats barometers of the ecological status of wetlands?

Knowledge of bats and their interactions with natural environments is still limited, probably because of the beliefs regarding this nocturnal animal and the difficulties involved in observing and studying them. Chiropterology, the science dedicated to the study of bats, is also relatively recent, and has seen significant advances in recent decades with the development of audio capture technologies such as ultrasonic detectors.

Although 75% of the chiropterologists questioned acknowledge a close link between wetlands and bats, there is little tangible evidence to support this position. In addition, several scientific studies suggest that wetlands could prove to be excellent bio-indicators in the context of global changes (climate change, landscape development, land use).

This is the background of the Rest-Chir’Eau project, led by the Tour du Valat and winner of the Rhone-Mediterranean and Corsica Water Agency’s 2023 “Water and Biodiversity” call for projects. It is based on an innovative approach: studying bat activity to assess the ecological functionality of wetlands and guide their restoration. This project will involve analysing the interactions between species and their environment in terms of their requirements, such as their need for ecological continuity and a mosaic of habitats.

Locally, the aim will be to define priorities in terms of restoring and sustainably managing the turquoise infrastructure[1] ^[7] near the former Bras de Fer branch of the River Rhone, now crossed by the Japan Canal, which is major irrigation infrastructure in the Camargue.

Data collection organised at several sites in the Camargue

The first two years of Rest-Chir’Eau have been marked by intense activity in the field to define a restoration plan for the turquoise infrastructure. In 2024, several monitoring campaigns were carried out at seven sites, including private properties in partnership with their owners, as well as a restored marsh located on the Petit Badon ^[8] Estate. This site will be monitored continuously from 2024 to 2026. This inter-annual data will provide a better understanding of changes in bat activity in response to environmental variations, as well as shedding valuable light on the dynamics of a restored ecosystem.

Night listening of bats To represent the diversity of habitats found in Mediterranean marshes (hydrophytic water bodies, reedbeds, sansouïres), several listening points were selected on the different sites studied. Sophisticated recording systems were installed at these locations: boxes fitted with microphones, programmed to activate 30 minutes before sunset and stop 30 minutes after sunrise. These devices capture the high sound frequencies of bats (10 to 150 kHz), but also other sounds, such as those of insects. Vegetation, insect populations and hydrological and meteorological variables were also monitored at each point. It was very challenging to apply this rigorous and innovative experimental protocol: We had to install the equipment in sometimes extreme conditions – on the water, in the middle of dense reedbeds over 2 metres high, or on isolated sites with no access roads. The team had to be ingenious and flexible to overcome these obstacles while adapting to the presence of livestock and the vagaries of the elements. Another challenge, but also a real added value, lay in the multiple monitoring sessions carried out throughout the year. This approach makes it possible to capture bat activity at different stages of their phenological cycle[3], [7] while observing the environmental variations specific to the marshes. The study of these Mediterranean habitats has proved particularly relevant, as their seasonal nature, the gradients in vegetation, and the diversity of species they host can influence the presence of certain bats and their type of activity. Acoustic analysis, a precise and essential task Once the recordings have been collected, a meticulous analysis phase begins. The ultrasounds emitted by bats, inaudible to the human ear, require complex computer processing. The files first go through pre-analysis software that uses artificial intelligence to identify species according to the characteristics of the sound waves. But these systems are not infallible: Each result must be checked manually to avoid errors. “A single night of recording can require between 3 and 12 days of processing time, depending on the complexity of the analysis. To give you an idea, one night can contain between 200 and 3,000 soundtracks. In 2024, we recorded 168 nights, which represents over 250,000 files to process! – Pauline Rocarpin, REST-CHIR’EAU project manager But it would take more than that to discourage the Rest-Chir’Eau team! These recordings provide a wealth of information: In particular, the shape of the waves can be used to determine whether a bat is feeding or moving around, and thus provide a better understanding of the ecological dynamics of each site.

Citizen science, an asset for improving data collection and ensuring that local stakeholders get significantly involved in the project

One of the Tour du Valat’s ambitions for the Rest-Chir’Eau project is to encourage local players to become significantly involved in the project and the issues at stake in the area, by enabling them to play an active part in the actions carried out, such as data collection.

In 2024, volunteers – from the general public, partners, and local players – were mobilised to help the team install and retrieve the monitoring equipment. In 2025, observation sessions will be organised, and a participatory monitoring protocol launched, via an online survey open to residents of the Camargue. Everyone will be able to pass on their observations to add to our knowledge of bat activity and identify key sites near the former Bras de Fer branch of the River Rhone that it will be important to preserve, such as those where there are bat roosts, and the ecological corridors that allow them to move around.

Several local partners have already joined the venture to help bring the project to life and raise the awareness of as many people as possible. This includes the Camargue RNP, which is organising International Bat Night at the Tour du Valat this summer, and the CPIE-Rhône-Pays d’Arles (environmental initiatives centre), which is planning activities for schoolchildren.

By actively involving local citizens and stakeholders, Rest-Chir’Eau aims to forge strong links with local stakeholders and raise awareness of a wide audience on the importance of preserving wetlands, two crucial activities for ensuring the long-term preservation of these ecosystems.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO GET INVOLVED?

• You can contribute to the participatory bat monitoring survey in the Camargue by following this link  ^[9]
• Subscribe to the Rest-Chir’Eau project newsletter ^[10] to receive the next participatory monitoring dates.
• Meet the Rest-Chir’Eau project team on Sunday 2 February 2025, at the Tour du Valat Open Days (full programme will be published on our website).

GLOSSAIRE

[1] ^[11] Ecological functionality : the capacity of an ecosystem to ensure biological cycles (reproduction, rest, food, movement) and to provide ecological services (pollination, natural water purification, food source).

[2] ^[12]A key concept developed by the Agence de l’Eau, the Turquoise infrastructure refers to all the environments land and water in a given area, which enable many species to complete their life cycle.

[3] ^[13] Phenological cycle : groups together the developmental stages of a living organism, influenced by the seasons and environmental conditions, and is a valuable indicator for understanding the interactions between organisms and their environment.

Bibliographie

[i] ^[14] Mas M, Flaquer C, Rebelo H, López‐Baucells A (2021) Bats and wetlands: synthesising gaps in current knowledge and future opportunities for conservation. Mam Rev 51:369–384. https://doi.org/10.1111/mam.12243

[ii] ^[15] Jones G, Jacobs DS, Kunz TH, et al (2009) Carpe noctem: the importance of bats as bioindicators. Endangered Species Research 8:93–115. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00182

Russo D, Salinas-Ramos VB, Cistrone L, et al (2021) Do We Need to Use Bats as Bioindicators? Biology 10:693. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology10080693

Tuneu-Corral C, Puig-Montserrat X, Flaquer C, et al (2020) Ecological indices in long-term acoustic bat surveys for assessing and monitoring bats’ responses to climatic and land-cover changes. Ecological Indicators 110:105849. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2019.105849

Contact

Pauline Rocarpin ^[16], Project manager, Tour du Valat

Financial partners

Technical partners

Insects represent the fastest declining group of species and are among those most threatened by human activities. Yet, they remain largely neglected by conservation policies and conservation biology research. Wetlands, which have declined sharply over the last century and are still under threat, are essential to many taxonomic groups, including insects. Odonates (damselflies and dragonflies) are valuable indicators of the state of conservation of these environments. The restoration of habitats, including their re-creation, has been identified as a priority for the current decade. These conservation actions are enhanced by the use of a flagship species, provided that in-depth knowledge of its ecological requirements is available.

This thesis, defended in June 2024 by Philippe Lambret, focused on the ecology of the eggs and larvae of the threatened dragonfly Lestes macrostigma. Through four studies carried out in the Camargue, the effects of the hydrological regime, the level of salinity of the water, animal interactions and the types of plants used to lay the eggs of this species were examined.

The results of this research, which integrates the key stages of dragonfly population dynamics, provide a solid scientific basis for developing conservation actions targeting not only the species, but also the restoration of temporary Mediterranean brackish ponds, using L. macrostigma as a flagship species. This thesis represents an important case study on how to take threatened insects into account in biodiversity conservation strategies.

^[11]Thesis reference

Conservation ecology of the threatened damselfly Lestes macrostigma – An integrated life cycle approach ^[17]
© 2024 KU Leuven, Science, Engineering & Technology
Self edited, Philippe Lambret, Arles (France).

Contact

Philippe Lambret ^[18] – Odonate conservation project manager at Tour du Valat

The Large Stigma Dragonfly is a dragonfly threatened with extinction in France and Europe due to the loss and transformation of the temporary brackish wetlands on which it depends for its reproduction. It is therefore one of the priority species in the National Action Plan for Odonates (2020-2030), drawn up by the Office pour les insectes et leur environnement, under the aegis of the French Ministry for the Protection of Nature.

To help improve the conservation status of its populations in the Camargue, the Tour du Valat has proposed a project to restore small ponds, in partnership with the Conservatoire du Littoral and the Camargue Regional Nature Park. This project was selected by the Fondation Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale as part of its call for “Biodiversity projects”.

Implementation of the project began in 2024 with preliminary studies to gather topographical and hydrological data on the restoration sites.

The result of a sustained dialogue between managers of hunting grounds or protected natural areas, experts and researchers, the collective work sharing experiences: ‘Gestion des marais chassés de Camargue, Savoirs pratiques & scientifiques’ was published on 2 December 2024.

Hunting in the Camargue plays a unique role in the management of these environments. It largely determines their state of conservation, as well as that of the many species they shelter. The marshes that are hunted, whether protected or not, make a major contribution to preserving the natural and cultural heritage of the Rhône delta.

Over and above the controversies surrounding management practices and harvesting levels, this book is part of the PACTE* research-action project on the coexistence of man and wildlife in the Camargue. It is the result of a sustained dialogue during a series of field visits in 2024 between managers of hunting territories or protected natural areas, experts and researchers.

Based on their respective experiences and scientific data, this booklet aims to provide all managers – or anyone wishing to better appreciate the issues and technical aspects – with principles for managing the main habitats of the greater Rhône delta and invasive species. This booklet shows that there are as many different marshes as there are management practices, as many historical trajectories as there are ecological heritages and as many possible management choices that now need to take account of climate change and the erosion of biodiversity.

Available free on request in A5 paper format at the Centre de Découverte du Scamandre, Gallician-Vauvert, at the headquarters of the Parc naturel régional de Camargue (Pont de Rousty), at the Domaine des Grandes Cabanes Sud (Stes Maries de la Mer), at the Tour du Valat and at the Réserve naturelle nationale du Vigueirat (Mas Thibert) and in electronic format on the websites of the project partners.

Project partner

Press relation

François Cavallo – senior editor – 04 90 96 71 97 – [email protected] ^[19]

Muriel Cervilla – communication manager – 06 21 87 00 32 – [email protected] ^[20]

Coralie Hermeloup – communication manager – 06 84 19 16 56 – [email protected] ^[21]

Raphaël Mathevet – manager PACTE project – 06 83 45 92 28 – [email protected] ^[22]

This study examines the concentrations of TMEs in the blood of two populations of European pond terrapin (Emys orbicularis) living in the Tour du Valat Regional Nature Reserve. The two populations, monitored by Capture Marking Recapture (CMR) since 1997 ^[23], differ in terms of their habitats and water regimes (irrigation or drainage channels). A total of seven TMEs[1], including mercury and lead, were detected in the turtles’ blood samples. The results show that contamination levels vary depending on the site and individual characteristics.

The 5th General Assembly of the RESTORE4Cs ^[26] project was held at the Tour du Valat from November 19 to 21. This was an important event for this Horizon Europe project, bringing together 15 partners from 9 different countries.

The 5th RESTORE4Cs ^[26] General Assembly brought together representatives of the 15 project partners from 9 European countries, including universities, research institutes, small and medium-sized enterprises and intergovernmental organizations. The aim of the meeting was to report on the project’s progress halfway through its implementation, while defining the strategic directions to be taken, based on the recommendations of the evaluation committee.

Ongoing work and perspectives: the project in motion

The first two days were focused on the feedback from the 9 Work Packages. They presented their progress and action plans for the second phase of implementation, which is now beginning. Analysis of carbon and greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes in European coastal wetlands; prioritization of sites and measures for restoring these ecosystems to promote their role as carbon sinks; assessment of the social acceptability of these initiatives, as well as the development of a European community of practice on these issues: the topics were numerous and highlighted the importance of a collaborative approach.

The third day was devoted to field visits. Participants had the opportunity to discover the richness of Camargue ecosystems by visiting one of the RESTORE4Cs ^[26] sampling sites in the Rhône Delta: the Marais du Cassaïre, a Conservatoire du Littoral site managed by the association Les Amis des Marais du Vigueirat and including a wetland restored since 2009.

RESTORE4Cs : European coordination for wetlands

The RESTORE4Cs ^[26] project has an ambitious objective: to provide better information on the role of European coastal wetlands in mitigating the effects of climate change, through carbon and GHG sequestration, in order to advocate for more effective management and restoration of these environments. In particular, the project aims to assess the benefits of coastal wetland conservation and restoration actions in the fight against climate change, while highlighting the other co-benefits generated by these same measures, for example in terms of maintaining biodiversity and regulating the water cycle.

Ultimately, the RESTORE4Cs ^[26] project aims to develop a Toolbox for European coastal wetlands: conceived as a digital decision-making tool, it will support public authorities, managers and associations in prioritizing sites and actions to be taken. The aim is to preserve and restore these ecosystems, and thus optimize the services they provide to society in the fight against climate change. With this in mind, an educational “Serious Game” and a Summer School for decision-makers and the scientific community will be held in 2025. Among other things, these events will promote the various products and services developed by RESTORE4Cs ^[26], in particular the Online Platform and Toolbox for decision making.

Organised as part of the PHENO (for ‘phenology’) programme run by the Museum of Natural History, the ringing campaign for passerines at the Tour du Valat is coming to an end for the 2024 season.

Since the beginning of September, almost 1,300 passerines have been ringed. This ringing programme aims to study the post-nuptial migration of passerines on a national scale. It enables us to train volunteers at the Tour du Valat in ringing and monitoring passerines, while informing us about the species present in the reserve. The trainees are supervised by the Tour du Valat ringers: Antoine Arnaud, Yves Kayser, Julien Birard and Thomas Blanchon. The banding permit is issued by the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle.

When ringing passerines, the birds are captured, banded with very light metal rings adapted to their size and weight (less than 0.2% of the bird’s weight), measured and released. The ring is engraved with the code of the ringing centre that supervised the operation and a unique number: the bird’s identifier. This year’s campaign enabled us to check 5 birds ringed outside France: a Black-capped Warbler from Holland, a Swift Warbler from Norway, a Swiss White-throated Robin, a Swiss Blackbird and a Moustached Warbler from Hungary.

Ringing is one of the main methods of monitoring birds in their natural environment. It is used to study population movements, demographic trends, migration routes, nesting and wintering areas and longevity. To do this, when ringed birds are recaptured or found dead, the information (species, sex, age, measurements, place of capture, etc.) is sent to the Museum of Natural History, which then passes it on to the scientists studying the species.

A successful start for the PROZHUM collaborative project, which supports CSOs capacity-building in wetland management, protection and restoration.

During the week of October 22 at the Tour du Valat, 14 civil society organizations (CSOs) from 10 countries of the southern and eastern Mediterranean basin kicked off the PROZHUM project.
After sharing experiences and building skills in implementing wetland projects, these organizations are now ready to launch the first series of PROZHUM projects.

The first series of projects will support 14 local wetland management and protection projects, as well as one large-scale restoration project in the Gediz Delta. In the second series of projects, these organizations will act as mentors for other CSOs in each of their countries and share skills and lessons learned in project management and wetland conservation.

PROZHUM ^[27]

Funded by AFD, the PROZHUM (Protection et Restauration des Zones Humides en Méditerranée) project aims to strengthen the capacities and impact of CSOs in the southern and eastern Mediterranean through a program of large-, small- and micro-scale wetland protection and restoration projects. It brings together 14 organizations from 10 countries, all members of the Mediterranean Wetlands Alliance (MAW) and/or the Mediterranean Waterbird Network (MWN).

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Jean-Claude Lefeuvre on 11 October 2024. Professor emeritus at the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, a specialist in wetland ecology and a tireless defender of nature, Jean-Claude was a close friend of Luc Hoffmann and an unfailing supporter of Tour du Valat.

Trained as an endocrinologist and a specialist in insect wing morphogenesis, he quickly turned his attention to ecology, exploring moorlands, hedgerows and marshes. He is particularly interested in the interactions between human activities and nature conservation.

Director of research programmes on the western marshes and the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, author of almost 390 publications and a pioneer in the study of interactions between human activities and conservation, he has supervised numerous scientific projects, leaving a lasting imprint on the scientific community.

Jean-Claude has also enriched the Tour du Valat through his commitment, first as a member of the Board of Directors in the 1990s, then of the Scientific Council from 2008 to 2016. His expertise in the western marshes, his global vision of the issues and problems, his extensive knowledge of the workings of the Ministry of Ecology and his broad scientific culture have been invaluable assets for Tour du Valat.

His commitment to wetlands, research and nature protection also extended internationally, notably through his support for the Banc d’Arguin National Park in Mauritania and his active participation in the International Association for Ecology (INTECOL). An Officer of the Légion d’Honneur and recipient of prestigious awards, he was recognised and respected for his dedication.

Jean-Claude Lefeuvre was an exceptional man of science, with encyclopaedic knowledge and an unfailing passion for Nature. Always kind, warm and smiling, he gave sincere attention to everyone, whatever the circumstances.

Thank you, Jean-Claude, for your invaluable legacy and your friendship.