The present situation of the Natura 2000 procedure in France and analysis of the importance of management by agriculture and forestry

Abstract

The Natura 2000 network must preserve the biological diversity of habitats and species in the European Union, taking into account the economic, social, cultural and regional characteristics of the territories. France has chosen a particular way to apply the "Habitats" Directive: the "document of objectives" or "docob". It defines, through local consultation, the issues at stake, the management objectives, the actions and the appropriate specifications. This study establishes the state of Natura 2000 in France based on data obtained in 2004 on 192 sites through a survey of 118 operators. We present the French sites in terms of, e.g., size, number of municipalities, members of the steering committee and agricultural context. We then analyse the relations between Natura 2000 and agricultural and forestry management. We highlight the positive aspects of Natura 2000 as seen by local stakeholders. The first result of this study is the observation, in May 2004, of the absence of a centralisation of information on the contact details of operators and Natura 2000 sites whose "documents of objectives" are currently being drawn up. The main results show the importance of land abandonment, the isolation of small sites in a context of risks linked to certain agricultural practices and the importance of forestry exploitation as 20% of the sites are mainly forested. The results also highlight possible conflicts between leisure and tourism activities, the environmental management as well as agricultural and forestry activities. Despite errors or shortcomings in communication when Natura 2000 was set up, consultation and contractualisation show their value and Natura 2000 is perceived as being favourable both to the preservation of biodiversity and to land development. However, the future of the Natura 2000 network in France depends on the State fully taking into account what is at stake and providing financial resources that meet the expectations generated.