Management of ecosystems in Occitanie as an experimental tool towards agroecological transition

The LIFE Biodiv’ paysanne project aims to preserve biodiversity and associated ecosystem services in the Occitanie region by: (i) reducing the threats caused by land use changes on natural and semi-natural habitats and on farmland, over a large network of 277 sites covering 25 687 ha, and (ii) improving and demonstrating the complementarity between natural ecosystems and agro-systems. The targeted sites are representative of the green and blue infrastructure ecosystems of south-western Europe.
Specific objectives include:
* Reinforcing the network of natural areas managed by the CENs (Conservatoires des espaces naturels), expanding it, improving connectivity between the sites, and restoring habitats that are in unfavourable conservation status;
* Demonstrating that agro-systems are important for nature conservation, through the mainstreaming of biodiversity-friendly farming practices;
* Establishing a viable economic model that reconciles agriculture and biodiversity protection, using the added value of natural ecosystems in agro-systems.
The project is fully in line with the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 by seeking to: (i) improve the coherence and effectiveness of the network of protected areas and OECMs (Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures), (ii) restore natural or semi-natural habitats on farmland, and (iii) exceed the Strategy’s target of 10% of agricultural area under high-biodiversity landscape features (on at least 20 farms). The project will also contribute to the implementation of the EU Birds Directive and Habitats Directive, by restoring six habitat types (6210*, 6230*, 6220*, 4030, 6410 and 6510), and the EU Farm to Fork Strategy.
Expected results:
* Coherent management of over 9 500 ha of natural areas thanks to 12 experimental multi-site management plans;
* 2 700 ha of land protected from urban sprawl and intensive farming, of which 250 ha has been purchased. The area of the project’s network of sites is extended by >10%, the area owned by the CENs is increased by >36%;
* 992 ha of degraded ecosystems restored (i.e. about 38% of the total area of degraded ecosystems in the project area) and sustainably managed to improve the functionality and conservation status of habitats over 25 687 ha with representative conservation issues for the green and blue infrastructure in Occitanie;
* Improved conservation status of 24 EU Habitats Directive habitat types through restoration measures over almost 600 ha, including 254 ha of 6210*, 151 ha of 6220*, 48.5 ha of 6230*, 49 ha of 6410, 38.9 ha of 4030, and 11 ha of 6510;
* Creation of an economically viable agricultural subsidiary of CEN Occitanie, with 60 head of cattle and 2 mules on 145 ha, with the creation of 1 full-time job;
* Development of added-value production with a “local seed mix” branch with the label “Végétal local” of CEN Occitanie, a “natural hay” label, and a versatile forest trailer prototype that will be transferred to animal traction professionals for commercialisation;
* Concrete ad-hoc recommendations for 60 farms representative of Occitanie’s various agricultural contexts to take into account biodiversity issues at the farm level;
* On 20 pilot farms, >15% of the Utilised Agricultural Land is dedicated to high-biodiversity landscape features;
* Massive dissemination of the project results towards natural area managers (and especially the 22 CENs), farmers (5 000 targeted), elected representatives and administrative staff (at least 10% of the municipalities in the Region, >1 500 employees) and the general public (500 000 citizens targeted); and
* Publication of policy briefs at the regional, national and EU level.