Agricultural wetlands: prospects and research into sustainable management

In Limousin, the lack of information on the definition of the various wetlands in the region, coupled with stricter regulations and their complexity, has increased the risk of farmers abandoning these wetlands. This project aims to reconcile the continuation of farming in ‘difficult areas’ with the conservation of water resources. The programme ‘Agricultural wetlands: prospects and research into sustainable management’ was based on a multidisciplinary agri-environmental study; 12 catchment areas representative of the ‘Greater Limousin’ region were analysed. The information gathered—whether relating to agri-environmental aspects or management data (325 farmers surveyed)—enabled a description of the farms to be drawn up, whilst analysing practices at the level of individual crop plots and their technical and economic performance. The phytosociological inventory is based on several hundred surveys. The plant communities identified were linked to ecological characteristics (so-called Ellenberg indices, species richness, floristic composition). The soil survey enabled all soils to be recorded and characterised (texture, root-accessible depth, stone content, available water reserve and hydromorphism). The hydrological study reveals chemical profiles that vary from one catchment to another, influenced by atmospheric and soil-related factors, as well as factors linked to environments rich in organic matter (peatlands and paratourbeux meadows) or anthropogenic factors. From a practical perspective, the cross-analysis of this data has enabled the production of a technical guide comprising advice sheets categorised by vegetation type. Farmers and their advisers now have access to technical guidance on how to manage agricultural wetlands sustainably.