Biodiversity and Ecosystem services in the Rampillon Artificial Wetland Buffer Zones – Seine-et-Marne (77)

Abstract

Artificialisation of land and intensification of agricultural practices have led to the homogenization of landscapes and decline of biodiversity. In fact, the loss of habitat diversity leads to a decrease in species richness in many areas. Among various actions to address these challenges, ecological engineering is developing to restore ecosystem functions and services by relying on nature-based solutions. This is the case of the Artificial Wetland Buffer Zone (Zone Tampon Humide Artificielle, ZTHA) whose primary function is to improve the quality of water in agricultural drainage context. But it turns out that this tool also promotes habitat diversity in the context of field crops. In order to know the biodiversity of the ZTHA, inventories on 7 taxa (Amphibians, Chiroptera, Lepidoptera, Mammals, Odonata, Birds and Reptiles) were carried out in 2017. As a result, on an area of about 1 hectare it is possible to recover more than 40% of the species among the taxa of Amphibians, Odonates and Birds known in Île-de-France. ZTHA also promote green and blue corridors on a homogeneous territory which diversifies the landscape and promotes connectivity. In addition, pedagogical and recreational issues are added to the overall benefit with the installation of a learning path on the study site. The issues mentioned above stimulate ecosystem services and are shared on one land site: the ZTHA. Ultimately, their deployment on a larger scale is proposed, which will contribute to the ecological development of territories and allow agroecosystems to have a reduced environmental footprint. This article is the second in a trilogy presenting the different strengths of ZTHA to face current environmental issues.