Wetlands are multifaceted environments, which are full of natural habitats and key species for the balance of our ecosystems. However, they were mistreated during the XNUMXth century.
Consequence: their spaces have decreased by more than 60% in France... Within the Montagne de Reims Regional Natural Park, we are however lucky: wetlands cover more than 10% of our territory (i.e. more than 5 hectares). So, before going any further, take a deep breath: on this page, you will be immersed in these fascinating spaces and in the work carried out by the Park since 300 to preserve them!
The 4 main types of wetlands in Montagne de Reims
Article L.211-1 of the environmental code laid the foundations of the definition of wetlands : it is " land, exploited or not, usually flooded or saturated with fresh, salt or brackish water permanently or temporarily, or whose vegetation, when it exists, is dominated by hygrophilous plants for at least part of the year ».
More concretely, the Montagne de Reims has 4 main types of wetlands:
- Plateau wetlands (at 70%): mainly humid and marshy forests, which can be observed in the upper part of the Park.
- Slope wetlands (at 5%): mainly sources around small streams, which are generally wooded and located on the slopes of the Montagne de Reims.
- Secondary valley wetlands (at 20%): meadows and riverine forests, located along rivers such as the Ardre, the Belval or the Livre.
- Alluvial wetlands (at 5%): very varied, they are found in the main bed of the Marne.
These valuable services provided by wetlands
Wetlands first make numerous hydrological services, that is to say linked to the water cycle. For example, in the event of heavy rainfall, they store water to recharge themselves. Thus, they participate in flood risk prevention. Conversely, in periods of drought, they release this stored water, coming to the river rescue.
Furthermore, there is no wastewater treatment plant more economical and efficient than wetlands! On the one hand, thanks to the morphology of their plants (root and aerial), they act like a comb in retaining large items, particularly those carried by floods (branches, trunks, etc.). On the other hand, the plant and bacterial flora that they shelter has a significant capacity to denitrification of soil and water, but also degradation of chemical inputs (pesticides, insecticides, heavy metals, etc.). Pretty cool, right?
Their remarkable natural habitats
The Montagne de Reims contains many humid habitats, which have become rare on a European scale. They thus constitute major reservoirs of biodiversity. Among them, let us cite afforestation linked to wetlands, such as the oak grove in Molinie or the Ash and Alder woodlands banks of streams and rivers. Some of these formations are spectacular, like the maple-ash-alder grove of the sources with giant horsetails. Enough to take in the sights!
giant horsetail
Real little paradises for biodiversity
The biodiversity that makes up wetlands is fabulously rich, but also dangerously threatened: a third of endangered or protected animal and plant species develop there.
At the Park, we are proud to host emblematic species of carnivorous plants wetlands, such as the bladderwort (Utricularia neglecta) and Grassette (pinguicula vulgaris).
In addition, the particular environment of the Montagne de Reims allows the survival ofanimal species that have become rare. So, perhaps you will come across theWhite-clawed crayfish, which is tending to disappear on a global scale in the face of the destruction of its habitat and the threat of American crayfish. Or even the Mill beetle, this small snail found in limestone springs, only in the north of France. It too is in danger on a global level, because summer water shortages linked to climate change are harmful to it. Let us also not forget the many rare species of amphibians : the Spotted Pelodyte, the Yellow-bellied Ringer, the Great Crested Newt, the Spotted Newt…
To preserve them, the Park is taking action!
“Knowledge is power!” ". To be able to act, the Park therefore begins with a continuous improvement of its knowledge of the habitats and species living in wetlands, via maps, inventories and diagnostics.
Every year, he carries out followed by amphibians in different sectors, in order to learn more about these species. This also allows it to implement actions to preserve them. This was particularly the case for the municipalities of Ludes, Trépail or Ay-Champagne, where pond rehabilitation operations took place.
The Park supports also communities, municipalities and project leaders, to the integration of wetlands in town planning documents and development programs.
Finally, the Park pilots and restores wetlands, via the development of management documents, as for the Nambly site in Tours-sur-Marne.
The engineering is co-financed by the Seine-Normandie Water Agency.
What if we continued together?
