One of the goals of the «ex situ» conservation in Seed Banks is the restoration of plants in their natural habitats. This Phase proposes a series of actions which will have a direct impact on the protection and «in situ» conservation of the natural plant patrimony (synergy between the NATURA 2000 and the conservation of biodiversity) and which will improve public action in the domain of management of protected areas.
Seven partners will actively participate in this action which will be coordinated by partner 3 (CBNMP).

Juniperus oxycedrus
subsp. macrocarpa Habitat

Action 4.1 : Habitat Restoration

Two French partners (3 and 8) in collaboration with 2 partners from the region of Valencia (Chef de file and 11) will restore a Priority Habitat of Community Interest (Habitat Directive 3170*: Mediterranean temporary ponds in Vendres and Torremila (France) and in Sinarcas (Valencia), respectively. This part will deal with the study of the habitat and species status for the realization of a restoration plan for the relevant area and the drafting of a management plan. Habitat restoration actions are equally foreseen in the coastal and insular area estuaries of the Rhône and Var, which host rare and/or endemic species (for example Astragalus massaliensis).

Habitat 3170*: Temporary Mediterranenan lakes.
Photo: C.Fournaraki

Action 4:2 : Creation/ population reinforcement

Two French partners (3 and 8) in collaboration with 2 partners from the region of Valencia (Chef de file and 11), partner 4 from Murcia and partner 13 from Malta will contribute to the creation and reinforcement of populations of threatened plant species. In France: Iris xiphium in Portiragnes, Marsilea strigosa in Vendres and in Perpignan, Pseudorlaya pumila in Espiguette, Sternbergia colchiciflora in St Paul and Valmalle, Leucojum aestivum in Plaine des Maures; in Spain, partners from Murcia and Valencia will collaborate on species of the Priority Habitat 1520*: Iberian gypsum vegetation; and the Maltese partner will reinforce populations of a threatened species (Tetraclinis articulata) in the field.

Sternbergia colchiciflora.
Monte-Manfrè, Etna (Sicile).
Photo: R. Galesi

Habitat 1520*: Iberian gipsy steppes.
Photo: Núria Membrives

Action 4.3 : Habitat and species management

This entirely French partner action will be carried out by proposing an agro pastoral management of habitats and species: Leucojum aestivum and Common meadows with orchids in Vauvert, Scorzonera parviflora in the pond of Vic, Ophrys tenthredinifera in St Paul de Fenouillet, Grasslands with Isoetes in the lake of Saint Andéol, Garidella nigellastrum, Silene portensis, Loeflingia hispanica, Anemone palmata, Nerium oleander.

Ophrys tenthredinifera.
Monte Curma dei Laghi, Mazzarino (Sicile).
Photo: R. Galesi

Loephlingia hispanica.
Piano Stravolata, Niscemi (Sicile) Photo: R. Galesi

Nerium oleander.
San Gregorio di Catania (Sicile).
Photo: R. Galesi

Action 4.4 : Public awareness and communication/popularization

Public awareness and communication in the agricultural exploitation of Montolieu, which has already very positive results with regard to biological diversity conservation (6 protected species, grassland habitats in very good conservation status); awareness of landowners in Landes for Ophrys magniflora in Talairan and the DRAF/DDAF for the incompatibility between the maintenance of certain orchids and the conditions of reforestation; excessive visitation of the stations of Sabot de Vénus in Lozère and in the Eastern Pyrenees; information/public awareness for the presence of Common meadows with orchids in Vauvert; information/public awareness for the presence of Iris xiphium in Portiragnes and contact with the landowners for the management of habitats; public awareness for the conservation of endemic plants of Var Armeria belgenciensis, Asplenium jahandiezi, Artemisia molinieri.

Armeria belgenciensis

Action 4.5 : Partnership training

This action deals with the organization, from partner 8 (CENLR) in Languedoc – Roussillon, of a field tour (in 2008) in order to demonstrate to the partners hands on experience of conservation management.

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