Experimental network for rehabilitation of wetlands in the Finistère department

Abstract

A lack of knowledge on wetland rehabilitation, and particularly on the gains of such operations on ecosystem functions, was brought up during a departmental conference on the environment, which took place in 2011 in the Finistère department (Brittany, France). To answer this lack of knowledge, the Finistère Departmental Council and the «Forum des Marais Atlantiques» initiated a collaborative experimental network on wetland restoration (Atlantic Marshes Forum). This network, based on a widespread partnership between policy makers, local managers, scientists, farmers' associations and organisations for wildlife protection, aims to test and validate wetland restoration protocols and measure the benefits of restoration projects on ecosystem services. Five pilot sites were selected based on a call for projects. The monitoring to assess success of restoration operations focuses on functions, which support ecological services such as qualitative and quantitative regulation of water and support for biodiversity. Impact of the restoration of wetlands on farming activity is also assessed.