A global and joint management of the Sèvre Nataise landscape

Abstract

The Sèvre Nantaise is an affluent of the Loire left bank. At the crossroads of Anjou, Brittany and Poitou, its landscape is at the same time diverse and similar by its bocage aspect, with a relatively smooth relief. In 1978, the « Association de la Sèvre Nantaise et de ses affluents » was created. After obtaining a river contract, creating a public regional institution and coming up with a landscape plan, the association achieved or was at the origin of many actions: training of technicians, restoration of mills pavements and amprovement of water runoff to help the oxygenation process, rivers self purification and self cleaning. A preliminary diagnosis and assessment of the whole valley has been performed. A landscape chart leads to the valorization of the strongest points common to six landscape sequences. The intervention proposals have been adapted to each sequence, and a valley landscape-plan has led to a regional convention for the improvement of landscape related to water, and to the obtention of substantial financial aids.