Brochure of presentation of Life program

Orsini’s viper
french populatio
n
preservation
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What is a life program ?
The Life Nature program projects aim at restoring and preserving natural habitat and protecting endangered
species in the European Union and Romania.
Launched by the
European Commission
in 1992,
the Life program (environmental financial instrument)
is one of the spearheads of environmental policy of
European Union.
Natura 2000
00
tura 20
The Na ork
netw
C et ZPS
Special Areas of Preservation
Special Protection Areas
●
Limits of department
"
It is a protected natural areas Pan-European network
which aims at ensuring long term survival of the most
valuable habitats of the most threatened species. It
consists of Special Areas of Preservation, appointed to
states-members, under “Habitats Directive”
(92/43/CEE) and Special Protection Areas appointed
to “Birds Directive” of 1979. The Community
Directives on the protection of nature indicate that
preservation aims have to be achieved, taking into
account the different economic, social, cultural, regional
and entertaining needs. States-members shall define
their own methods and intruments to implement the
Directives.
"
R
Mer Méditerranée
"
"
te :
CARTO Æ
Mer Méditerranée
Data map sources : Diren Paca
Background map : IGN - BD CARTO
Achievement : ARPE PACA - November 2007
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,
Species presentation
A little bit of history
●
Antonio ORSINI. Born in Ascoli Picano in 1798, he dies in his city in 1870. A Pharm and
politician, he is particularly famous for a major work devoted to the geology of Central Italy.
He collected a specimen in Abruzzo. Thanks to this specimen, Carlo Lucianno, naturalist,
Napoleon’s nephew, described the viper that is called after his discoverer.
Morphological
rounded
Head
not very triangular
Pupil
vertical slot
Tail
short
Body
stocky
Size
up to 50 cm
Aspect
scaly (careened scales)
Dorsal
coloration
usually grey-beige with continuous dark
brown to black zig-zag
Characteristics
Original description by Bonaparte
“iconografia della fauna d’italica” (1832-1841)
Snout
5
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Reproduction and activity
●
Immediately after Fall, depending on temperature, the species hibernates under ground in the crevices between rocks
or roots juniper to reappear later during Spring.
●
The Orsini’s viper is ovoviviparous.
●
Pairing take place in May, dropping at the end of August and early September.
J
F
M
A
M
IMMATURE
VIPERS
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ACTIVITY
PERIOD
FEMALE
DROPPING
MALE
PAIRING
Nutrition
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It’s one of the very few snakes (one of a kind) to feed
almost exclusively on grasshoppers and locusts. So that,
Orsini’s viper has to eat regularly, unlike other snakes that
can fast for several days after eating a prey.
Predators
●
Jean-le-blanc Circaète : fearsome predator of Orsini’s
viper, wide wingspread bird of prey (170 cm), it feeds
mostly on reptiles, which is a fairly rare characteristic
among birds of prey.
Green and yellow worm
Boar
● Badger
● Smooth coronelle
●
●
Toxicity
●
Bites listed up today (to date) never required
hospitalization. Its venom is three or four times less
toxic than the aspic viper.
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Alectoris grae
ca
Lanius collurio
apra rupicapra
Chamois - Rupic
Saga pedo
Mountain or mediterranean, those species are
struggling to choose their camp...
Lilium pomponium
ifolia
Lavandula lat
Paeonia officinalis
s
Pelodytes punctatu
Parnassius apollo
Sempervivum montanum
Tulipa australis
ix
Prionotropis hystr
French habitats of Orsini’s viper
●
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It’s mostly moors or lawns located at an altitude between 900 and 2150 meters at alpine and
subalpine floors. These are fragile and remarkable areas, recognized for their unique biological
originality. On 13 habitats encountered, 10 are enrolled int the “flora and fauna Habitats Directive”
and 3 considered as a priority.
Located on the border between Mediterranean and Alpine area, these ecosystems exhibit (have)
characteristics of the two biological zones. The result is a rich fauna, in a varied number of zoological
groups and remarkably diversified flora with a quite original plant species blend.
Human activities
●
Today, few people frequent Orsini’s viper
territories except shepherds, hunters and
hikers. However, some areas are the
subject of sports activities such as
skiing, paragliding and some
motorized sports.
Its distribution in France and Europe
Observations before 1990
Observations since 1990
SHF : Atlas of amphibians and reptiles in France
USM Inventory and monitoring of biodiversity
DEGB MNHN Paris June 2005
Today populations
Extinct populations
Atlas of amphibians and reptiles in Europe, 1997
Collection Patrimoines Naturels, 29, SPN / IEGB / MNHN
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Threats
Closed areas
●
Tourism development and
mountain urbanization
Since the late 19th century, there has been a decrease
and a significant change in human activities
(pastoralism, forestry, cultivation) on the altitude
moors and lawns. The extension of forest cover and
brushwood moorland leads to a reduction and
fragmentation of the habitats occupied by Orsini’s
viper.
●
Frequent or extensive use of
controlled burning
● Controlled burning over wide areas represents a
potential risk to the species. In fact, this kind of practice
destroys most of the plants shelters of Orsini’s viper and
significantly reduces the abundance of prey
(grasshoppers, locusts). However, this practice can be
advantageous to the maintenance of its habitats under
certain conditions : especially winter fires on small
areas.
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Since the mid-20th century, Mediterranean mountains
have seen the development of many tourism practices
(skiing, hiking, cycling, paragliding, all-terrain
vehicles). They are now increasingly popular due to
the development of roads. This development leads to
an excessive summer frequenting on these areas,
which can be a factor of disturbance. In addition, the
tourism infrastructure facilities contribute to durably
affecting Orsini’s viper habitat.
Wilful destructions
d species
Prot ect e
and illegal sampling
●
Lack of knowledge about
species’ biology of the
biology of the species
●
Our knowledge is still too insufficient to act effectively
for the species or for its habitats. Its discretion makes
the reference statement’s establishment difficult
especially for small populations. Its habitats’ objective
characterization based on plants or animals indicators
still remains to be established.
Species ability to colonize news areas is still unknown.
This lack of knowledge can lead to inadequate
implementy of management measures.
Snakes are considered as dangerous animals. In our
region, this reputation is unjustified apart from the
aspic viper whose bite can lead to serious
complications and sometimes hospitalization.
Although Orsini’s viper is harmless, it is victim of
systematic (automatic) extermination due to a lack of
knowledge from ramblers, shepherds, hunters and
others mountain’s users.
In addition, Orsini’s viper is coveted by collectors
because of its scarceness. The importance of all those
collects is hard to estimate but remains worrying
especially for the most accessible populations.
●
Endangered species on the world scale, Orsini’s viper
is now protected by numerous Directives and
Conventions.
• International Conventions
The “Nature Conservation International Union” has
listed this species as “endangered” and it appears in
the red list.
• Appendix I of the “Washington Convention”.
• European Conventions
• Appendix II and IV of the “Habitats Directive”.
• Appendix II of the “Berne Convention”.
• French Conventions
Listed as “vulnerable” in the “threatened fauna
inventory in France”. Red book, 1994.
Totally protected by the December 16th 2004 Order,
modifying the July 22nd 1993 Order.
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Logging
Demographic inventory
logical inventory
Populations’ eco
specting
(monitoring) : pro
Habitat’s restorati
on by logging
Day prospecting
Populations’ ecological inventory (monitoring)
International collaboration
Habitat’s study
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Populations’ ecological inventory
(monitoring) : GPS
Field workers training
ents
ing heap of reman
Forested work : sett
,
Actions (acts) to safeguerd Orsini’s viper
KNOWING
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
Sampling and genetic
analysis
Implementation of a population monitoring
protocol
Nature
e
f
i
L
A
program
Achieving a pastoral diagnosis
Studies on logging and mechanical clearing of land to
realize (achieve)
Accurate inventory of controlled burns
●
The Orsini’s viper status has now become so
worrying that in 2006, Europe, France and local
authorities have granted credits for its protection.
The five years lasting Life Nature program is led
by the Environment Regional Agency, in
collaboration with Provence and Southern Alps
Ecosystem’s Study Conservatory, The National
Forestry Office, the National Hunting and Wildlife
Office, The High Study School of Practices
(College), the joint Union of developments of
Mont-Ventoux.
●
It covers 8 Natura 2000 areas and 4 departments of
the Provence-Alps-French Riviera region. In those
areas, an action program was developped to reverse
the species’ decline trend and to ensure the
preservation of the populations on a long term basis.
Lawns access opportunities inventory
Logging and clearing of land achievement
ACTING
Restored areas monitoring
Field prospecting
Reinforced monitoring on small populations
Increased information and supervision
COMMUNICATING
Establishment of an
experimental
controlled burning
Concerted actions by local participants for a sustainable management of the environment
Field workers and local participants
training
Commununication tools (booklet, website,...)
Media coverage
Territory heritage’s meant to increase public awareness (slide show and exhibition)
International collaborations development
Technical quide
management and
population monitoring
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Life program’s expected outcomes
●
Management tools implemented and populations
monitoring methods are assessed as well as options for
their transfer to other European populations.
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Surfaces conducive to the species are maintained,
and even expanded, on the areas. Connections
between sub-populations are restored.
●
Favourable conditions for the sustainability of
management and conservation actions are created :
• The species and its habitats are identified as greater
(major) components of regional natural heritage. This
issue is intregrated in the development and management
of local policies.
• Breeders, owners, farmers and tourism professionnals
are involved in the areas management.
• A management and populations monitoring technical
guide (booklet) is distributed in France and abroad to
public and private agencies involved in species
conservation.
The aim for 2010 is to know exactly
populations status and the risks for the most
endangered species.
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●
Beyond the species preservation, we want this
program to have a positive impact on these territories’
future. Indeed, it has to be reflected in increased
pastoral lands on several areas, owing to cuts and
clearing of lands which will be done.
●
Concertation meetings will help to find the best
compromise for a territory’s harmonious development.
Program’s participants
Environment Regional Agency (ARPE)
●
Joint union gathering (composed of) the Provence-Alps-French Riviera region and
six departments. The ARPE is involved in environment integration in every project
on regional territory.
Joint Union of developments of Mont-Ventoux (SMAEMV)
●
Function in the program : Administrative and financial coordination. In charge of
communication projects.
Provence and Southern Alps Ecosystem’s Study Conservatory (CEEP)
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Non-profit organization approved for the Protection of Nature on a regional scale
(in a regional framework). CEEP is a regional conservatory of natural spaces
(areas) founded in 1975. It aims at preserving natural heritage.
Function in the program : technical coordination and conservation actions implementation.
National Forestry Office (ONF)
●
French public institution which manages communal and national (state) forests.
Beyond its statutory missions, in collaboration with other institutional or technical
partners, the ONF develops some other specific nature protection actions. For
instance : the Orsini’s viper and its habitats preservation.
This Joint Union gathers County council of Vaucluse and 34 municipalities of the
department. Its mission, among other things, is the Biosphere Reserve
management.
Function in the program : In charge of concertation and awareness in Mont-Ventoux area.
National Hunting and Wildlife Office (ONCFS)
●
Administrative and scientific public institution. The main tasks of the AlpineMediterranean-Corsican delegation are :
- The environment police : wildlife environment and hunting supervising. Forest
fires preventing.
- Research : heritage and wildlife health monitoring, in collaboration with local
partners, punctual operations studies about wildlife and habitat.
- Development : technical support and expertise to government services and various
regional partners, species and habitats experimentation of management models,
protected areas management, training.
Function in the program : in charge of supervision and campaigns of awareness in areas.
Function in the program : in charge of forestry (forested works).
High Study School of Practices (College) (EPHE)
●
Scientific, cultural and professional public institution founded in 1968. The
institution’s mission is to contribute to education and the progress of science in
applied and basic research.
Function in the program : Scientific expertise
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Contacts
ARPE : Thomas Fourest
Tél. : 04 42 90 90 55
[email protected]
CEEP : Arnaud Lyet
Tél. : 06 88 28 74 68
[email protected]
www.vipere-orsini.com
Financed by (funding)
Implemented by (implementation))
Pictures Copyright : CEEP - ARPE - Frédéric Larrey - Thomas ROGER - Erwan LAGADEC - Christophe BAUDOIN - Marc CHEYLAN - Olivier LARREY / Biotope.
Illustrations - pictures : Cyril GIRARD. Design : Azoé [Solution graphique] December 2007.
Printing : SVI Publicep – Imprim’vert label - Document printed with vegetals inks on recycled paper plant, meeting the European eco-label standards.