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Mitigation and prevention of damage caused by the common crane on crops in the Camargue

Dates / Project duration

November 2021 - April 2023 / 18 months

Status

Completed

Location

Camargue Regional Natural Park

Project sponsor(s)

Fondation Tour du Valat ?

Description

The Tour du Valat Foundation will evaluate the use of agricultural land by cranes during the 2021-2022 season. The presence and abundance of cranes in farming plots will be correlated with the cultivation practices recorded.

This approach will be complemented by a more detailed analysis of farming practices that may attract cranes, thanks to the support of a network of farmers which will allow to monitor the abundance of cranes in relation to changes in wheat sowing practices, soil management, and the type of crop cultivated.

Several hypotheses will be tested using spatial and statistical analyses and results will be communicated to the Camargue Regional Nature Park.

Goals

With the active participation of a network of farmers, this project aims to test various hypotheses in order to propose changes in agricultural practices and landscape design likely to mitigate the impact of cranes on wheat seedling in the Camargue. Solutions will be implemented over a period of 5 years for farmers affected by the problem.

Results

Monitoring 295 plots during the winter of 2021-2022
3,834 counts carried out on the plots
Observation of 10,834 cranes
High numbers of whooping cranes in rice stubble plots Organisation of a meeting to discuss and present the results to local stakeholders (farmers, scientists, Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue, Syndicat mixte de la Camargue Gardoise, etc.).
Since the presence of cranes in rice stubble is beneficial to farmers, raising awareness among tourists so as not to disturb the cranes in these plots is a priority.
Delaying the tillage of rice stubble would keep the cranes on this attractive land for longer in winter.
The additional cost or loss of income resulting from the delay in preparing the soil for subsequent crops could be subsidised by the Chamber of Agriculture and be part of a policy to promote tourism
Scaring methods that are currently illegal could be exempted after application to the administrative authorities, as has been the case for flamingos for several years

Website Press release