On 26 and 27 June 2019, the Conservatoire botanique national des Pyrénées et de Midi-Pyrénées (CBNPMP) and the Observatoire pyrénéen du changement climatique (OPCC) are organising a seminar on the ecological restoration of high altitude sites with plants of local origin in Bagnères-de-Bigorre (France, Hautes-Pyrénées).

The objective of this event is to promote the exchange of experiences between the various managers of Pyrenean areas (decision-makers and planners, protected area managers, breeders and pastoral groups, researchers, naturalists…) based on a review of the actions implemented under the Ecovars program run by the CBN des Pyrénées et de Midi-Pyrénées since 2003 (www.ecovars.fr).

Over the past 4 years, this approach has allowed to support 27 infrastructure builders in the management of 54 ecological restorations (16, 8 ha) and 6 seed producers who are members of the "Pyrégraine de nèou" brand. In order to evaluate the relative performance of locals seeds compared to exogenous seeds, 3 experimental sites were also studied. The ecological restoration of mountain meadows and lawns, made from plants of local origin, allows to establish plant cover adapted to altitude conditions. Reconstituted grasslands are then more resilient to climatic hazards, particularly exacerbated in the mountains (storms, frost, drought...). By recreating stable environments, with vegetation adapted to local conditions, these practices can contribute to mitigate the effects of climate change.

A workshop meeting and two field visits are planned to discuss and present practices implemented by partners.

This seminar should make it possible to identify perspectives and new collaborations on this theme in order to develop these good practices more widely in the Pyrenees.   

This seminar is organised within the framework of the OPCC2 project, the Pyrenean Observatory for Climate Change, of which the CBN des Pyrénées et de Midi-Pyrénées is a partner, a programme co-financed by FEDER funds (INTERREG POCTEFA) from the European Union, the French State (FNADT Massif de Pyrénées) and the Occitanie Region.

Download the program:

http://www.ecovars.fr/images/seminaire_ecovars/Invitation_sminaire_franais.pdf

To register for the seminar:

https://forms.gle/pkyCjQUVpCJynPdC6