Improving coexistence between wildlife and humans at the mouth of the Var river
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Improving coexistence between wildlife and humans at the mouth of the Var river

Dates / Project duration

April 2024 - March 2025 / 1 years

Status

Completed

Location

France, Embouchure du fleuve Var

Project sponsor(s)

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Description

Up until 70 years ago, the mouth of the Var was a very wide estuary, ideal for wildlife. In the 1960s, the Var was dammed up and almost all the natural habitats were permanently destroyed. Today, the narrowness of the remaining natural zone demands our full attention. Any development or disturbance could compromise the area's interest for birds.
In order to respond to these very high stakes in terms of biodiversity conservation, the Embouchure du fleuve Var site benefits from 2 prefectoral biotope protection decrees on its land and sea sections. These decrees prohibit access to the site all year round.
Despite these regulations, numerous intrusions have been observed (fishermen, photographers, surfers, walkers, dogs, etc.), greatly disturbing the presence of birds, particularly the Common Tern colony. In 2023, the colony's reproduction failed completely due to successive human disturbances, leading to its premature departure.