Articles

Genesis of a long-term scientific monitoring program to document the ecological and territorial transitions accompanying the removal of large dams in France

Laura SOISSONS, Marie-Anne GERMAINE, Manuel CHEVÉ, Karl KREUTZENBERGER, Laurent BEAULATON, Jean-Marc ROUSSEL
Received : 2 October 2024; Published : 20 February 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.20870/Revue-SET.2025.47.8330

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Abstract

International policies encourage the restoration of aquatic ecosystems, in particular through the removal of dams, a method seen as beneficial for biodiversity and the ecological continuity of watercourses. Until now, few comprehensive scientific studies have been able to document this type of operation in order to analyse its ecological, hydrological and territorial impacts. This is the ambition of the Sélune scientific program, which since 2012 has been monitoring the removal of two large hydroelectric dams in Normandy: the Vezins and La-Roche-Qui-Boit dams. The dams were removed for economic and ecological reasons (obsolescence, water quality, protection of migratory fish), enabling 1,000 km of river to be reconnected to the ocean by 2022. The scientific program studies the restoration of the Sélune valley, comparing the state of the valley before and after the dams. Involving several research teams, this multidisciplinary monitoring program explores river dynamics, biodiversity and territorial dynamics until 2027. Initial results show that the Sélune is regaining its natural dynamics, although the area is still unstable. Ultimately, these results will provide essential feedback to further understand ecosystem resilience and to support nature restoration policies.

Authors

Laura SOISSONS

laura.soissons@inrae.fr

Affiliation : DECOD (Dynamique et Durabilité des Ecosystèmes), L'Institut Agro, IFREMER, INRAE, Rennes / Pôle Gestion des Migrateurs Amphihalins dans leur Environnement, OFB, INRAE, L'Institut Agro, UPPA, Rennes

Country : France

Marie-Anne GERMAINE

Affiliation : Laboratoire Architecture, Ville, Urbanisme, Environnement LAVUE-CNRS UMR 7218 - Equipe Mosaïques, Département de Géographie et Aménagement, Université Paris Nanterre, Nanterre

Country : France

Manuel CHEVÉ

Affiliation : DECOD (Dynamique et Durabilité des Ecosystèmes), L'Institut Agro, IFREMER, INRAE, Rennes / Pôle Gestion des Migrateurs Amphihalins dans leur Environnement, OFB, INRAE, L'Institut Agro, UPPA, Rennes

Country : France

Karl KREUTZENBERGER

Affiliation : Service de l’eau et des milieux aquatiques, Direction Surveillance, Evaluation, Données, OFB, U3E, Rennes / Pôle Gestion des Migrateurs Amphihalins dans leur Environnement, OFB, INRAE, L'Institut Agro, UPPA, Rennes

Country : France

Laurent BEAULATON

Affiliation : Service Conservation et gestion durable des espèces exploitées, Direction de la Recherche et de l’Appui Scientifique, OFB, U3E, Rennes / Pôle Gestion des Migrateurs Amphihalins dans leur Environnement, OFB, INRAE, L'Institut Agro, UPPA, Rennes

Country : France

Jean-Marc ROUSSEL

Affiliation : DECOD (Dynamique et Durabilité des Ecosystèmes), L'Institut Agro, IFREMER, INRAE, Rennes / Pôle Gestion des Migrateurs Amphihalins dans leur Environnement, OFB, INRAE, L'Institut Agro, UPPA, Rennes

Country : France

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