Southern Region’s nature reserves adapt to climate change

July 1, 2024 marked the kick-off of Natur’Adapt Sud project. For 18 months, the project aims to help nature reserve managers in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur area adapt to climate change : an essential approach, now more than ever.

Networking is at the heart of this region-wide project, involving 10 organizations that manage 13 nature reserves in the Sud-Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region (see map below), including all regional nature reserves like the one at the Tour du Valat. Supported by the DREAL (Regional Directorate for Environment, Planning and Housing) and the Sud-Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region, and coordinated by Tour du Valat, this project will enable most of the region’s nature reserves to develop a climate change adaptation strategy, which can then be integrated into their next management plan.

Map of nature reserves in the Southern Region involved in the project Natur’Adapt Sud

The Natur’Adapt Sud project appears to be a real opportunity to enhance the skills of nature reserve managers about climate change issues and future impacts on the heritage of their protected areas. Designed as a multi-site initiative, it also aims to foster a regional dynamic around these issues, by creating links between nature reserve managers, particularly those who manage similar natural environments.

« Today, it is essential to integrate the challenges of climate change into the management of protected areas. This is the main objective of the regional project Natur’Adapt Sud, which is backed by Tour du Valat. »

Natur’Adapt methodology as a project toolbox

The project is based on the Natur’Adapt methodology, developed and tested by the in 21 protected areas. This method aims to anticipate the effects of climate change on a protected area’s natural heritage (species and habitats), as well as its human activities, based on past and future climate data. It also encourages managers to reconsider current management practices and to identify the adaptation actions needed to respond to the vulnerabilities identified. An essential part of the work involves raising awareness and mobilizing the reserve’s various stakeholders: the management team, partners, experts, and local players.

For the Tour du Valat Regional Nature Reserve (RNR) management team the Natur’Adapt Sud Project represents an opportunity to plan collectively for the future of the Reserve.

In recent years, the Tour du Valat RNR, like other sites in the Camargue, has had to cope with very intense drought episodes, resulting in long dry periods, lower water levels, and rising salinity. However, there have also been springs with unusually high rainfall, as in 2024.

According to Damien Cohez, a Conservation Officer at the Tour du Valat Regional Nature Reserve, these phenomena, which are part of the natural variability of the Mediterranean climate, can be exacerbated by climate change. In this context, the Tour du Valat Reserve management team is already implementing adaptive management of the site’s natural heritage, which the Natur’Adapt Sud project should reinforce.

One of the priority objectives will be to gain a better understanding of the potential impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels, rising temperatures, and changing rainfall patterns, on wetland habitats and heritage species. Several consequences have already been observed on the site, such as the proliferation of certain invasive exotic species, shifts in the nesting or arrival dates of certain birds, or in the flight periods of certain insects.
A key aspect of the project will be the collaboration with two other nature reserves in the Camargue: the Camargue National Nature Reserve and the Vigueirat Marshes Reserve. This cooperation offers a valuable opportunity to pool together knowledge, broaden perspectives for action, and find support to respond to these crucial challenges.

📅 AGENDA : On September 24, departments heads, managers, and technical and financial partners will meet. This event of key stakeholders will undoubtedly mark the beginning of a collective commitment to climate change in the Southern Region.