Rehabilitation of plant and animal biodiversity in South-Essonne Visit of an attempt at restoration The observationAs in many regions, the number of plant and animal species in South-Essonne and their numbers have decreased considerably over the last 40 years. The main phenomena leading to this decline are, in descending order of importance, the modification and disappearance of habitats favourable to species, pollution (including phytosanitary treatments), the arrival of invasive species, climatic changesCharacteristics of the siteThe restoration attempt (carried out since 2019) is located on part of the land (4000 m 2) of an old market garden farm dating from the 17th century, at the confluence of two rivers, in an aesthetic setting surrounded by plots not built more or less wooded or treated as green areas.This particular location allows the maintenance of a local fauna and flora at the same time as it allows the arrival of regional species not initially present.Project methodologyThe method adopted in the restoration attempt aims to correct the phenomena mentioned in the report and to promote the return of regional plants and insects. This choice is based on the fact that plants and insects are key elements of natural ecosystems functioning. Their return and development on site should therefore naturally be accompanied by those of other animal groups (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, ...) once present but disappeared or episodic today.1- Diversification of plots in order to reproduce the types of natural environments in South-Essonne compatible with the nature of the land: restored river banks, natural meadows, wastelands, orchards, hedges, flower beds grown solely from honey plants.2 - Ecological management by annual grassland mowing No phytosanitary treatment or fertilizers.3- Manual control of undesirable or invasive plants. Reintroduction by planting or sowing of certain regional species. Creation of dens, shelters and breeding sites for pollinating insects and decomposers.4- As climatic changes cannot be controlled, attempts are being made to adapt the site by respecting (and monitoring) new naturally occurring species and perhaps initiating a natural evolution of the local specific composition. Limitation of water losses and watering in flower beds cultivated by installing biodegradable mulch.Results since the beginning of the restoration attemptSince 2019, by limiting ourselves to easily observable organisms, we have been able to count: 227 species of wild flowering plants (including 6 orchids) among which 11 are protected and 28 of heritage interest (determining ZNIEFF). To this are added a hundred cultivated varieties (43 rose trees). 157 species of insects (including 26 butterflies) among which 3 are protected and 16 of heritage interest. 40 bird species (including 2 raptors) among which 29 are protected and 38 of heritage interest). 11 species of mammals including 3 protected and 2 of heritage interest. 2 protected reptile species of heritage interest. 1 species of protected amphibian and heritage interest E-mailjardins.bressault@gmail.com

Rehabilitation of plant and animal biodiversity in South-Essonne Visit of an attempt at restoration The observationAs in many regions, the number of plant and animal species in South-Essonne and their numbers have decreased considerably over the last 40 years. The main phenomena leading to this decline are, in descending order of importance, the modification and disappearance of habitats favourable to species, pollution (including phytosanitary treatments), the arrival of invasive species, climatic changesCharacteristics of the siteThe restoration attempt (carried out since 2019) is located on part of the land (5000 m 2) of an old market garden farm dating from the 17th century, at the confluence of two rivers, in an aesthetic setting surrounded by plots not built more or less wooded or treated as green areas.This particular location allows the maintenance of a local fauna and flora at the same time as it allows the arrival of regional species not initially present.Project methodologyThe method adopted in the restoration attempt aims to correct the phenomena mentioned in the report and to promote the return of regional plants and insects. This choice is based on the fact that plants and insects are key elements of natural ecosystems functioning. Their return and development on site should therefore naturally be accompanied by those of other animal groups (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, ...) once present but disappeared or episodic today.1- Diversification of plots in order to reproduce the types of natural environments in South-Essonne compatible with the nature of the land: restored river banks, natural meadows, wastelands, orchards, hedges, flower beds grown solely from honey plants.2 - Ecological management by annual grassland mowing No phytosanitary treatment or fertilizers.3- Manual control of undesirable or invasive plants. Reintroduction by planting or sowing of certain regional species. Creation of dens, shelters and breeding sites for pollinating insects and decomposers.4- As climatic changes cannot be controlled, attempts are being made to adapt the site by respecting (and monitoring) new naturally occurring species and perhaps initiating a natural evolution of the local specific composition. Limitation of water losses and watering in flower beds cultivated by installing biodegradable mulch.Results since the beginning of the restoration attemptSince 2019, by limiting ourselves to easily observable organisms, we have been able to count: 227 species of wild flowering plants (including 6 orchids) among which 11 are protected and 28 of heritage interest (determining ZNIEFF). To this are added a hundred cultivated varieties (43 rose trees). 157 species of insects (including 26 butterflies) among which 3 are protected and 16 of heritage interest. 40 bird species (including 2 raptors) among which 29 are protected and 38 of heritage interest). 11 species of mammals including 3 protected and 2 of heritage interest. 2 protected reptile species of heritage interest. 1 species of protected amphibian and heritage interest E-mailjardins.bressault@gmail.com

Rehabilitation of plant and animal biodiversity in South-Essonne Visit of an attempt at restoration The observationAs in many regions, the number of plant and animal species in South-Essonne and their numbers have decreased considerably over the last 40 years. The main phenomena leading to this decline are, in descending order of importance, the modification and disappearance of habitats favourable to species, pollution (including phytosanitary treatments), the arrival of invasive species, climatic changesCharacteristics of the siteThe restoration attempt (carried out since 2019) is located on part of the land (5000 m 2) of an old market garden farm dating from the 17th century, at the confluence of two rivers, in an aesthetic setting surrounded by plots not built more or less wooded or treated as green areas.This particular location allows the maintenance of a local fauna and flora at the same time as it allows the arrival of regional species not initially present.Project methodologyThe method adopted in the restoration attempt aims to correct the phenomena mentioned in the report and to promote the return of regional plants and insects. This choice is based on the fact that plants and insects are key elements of natural ecosystems functioning. Their return and development on site should therefore naturally be accompanied by those of other animal groups (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, ...) once present but disappeared or episodic today.1- Diversification of plots in order to reproduce the types of natural environments in South-Essonne compatible with the nature of the land: restored river banks, natural meadows, wastelands, orchards, hedges, flower beds grown solely from honey plants.2 - Ecological management by annual grassland mowing No phytosanitary treatment or fertilizers.3- Manual control of undesirable or invasive plants. Reintroduction by planting or sowing of certain regional species. Creation of dens, shelters and breeding sites for pollinating insects and decomposers.4- As climatic changes cannot be controlled, attempts are being made to adapt the site by respecting (and monitoring) new naturally occurring species and perhaps initiating a natural evolution of the local specific composition. Limitation of water losses and watering in flower beds cultivated by installing biodegradable mulch.Results since the beginning of the restoration attemptSince 2019, by limiting ourselves to easily observable organisms, we have been able to count: 227 species of wild flowering plants (including 6 orchids) among which 11 are protected and 28 of heritage interest (determining ZNIEFF). To this are added a hundred cultivated varieties (43 rose trees). 157 species of insects (including 26 butterflies) among which 3 are protected and 16 of heritage interest. 40 bird species (including 2 raptors) among which 29 are protected and 38 of heritage interest). 11 species of mammals including 3 protected and 2 of heritage interest. 2 protected reptile species of heritage interest. 1 species of protected amphibian and heritage interest