Ilon Marsh, France

Ilon Marsh

The Crau Wetlands are the result of the ancient floodplains of the Rivers Durance and Rhône. They comprise a mosaic of wet grasslands, continental salt meadows, pools and marshes. The Ilon Marsh of the Vallée des Baux provides valuable breeding habitat for birds such as the Little and Great Egret, Purple Heron, Black-winged Stilt, European Roller, European Bee-eater and Golden Oriole. The area is also one of the very best in Europe for dragonflies and damselflies.

What A Rocha is doing

European Roller at Crau plateau

A Rocha France started work in the Vallée des Baux in 1998, and is continuing to establish its presence within the local community. A significant achievement has been the development of a management contract with the owner of the Ilon Marsh, representing 75 ha of the remaining 500 ha of wetland. This has allowed A Rocha to implement a detailed research and monitoring programme, initially concentrating on the bird species present, but eventually covering all major animal and plant groups. The valley is of particular importance for the Roller, with 10% of the French population found here. The Roller population around the marsh has been a particular focus for study and nest boxes have been put in place for their use. Preliminary studies on several other species and groups (including the European Pond Terrapin, dragonflies, moths, butterflies and bats) have already been completed.

A Rocha France is a member of the Steering Group for the Crau Wetlands and in this role has contributed information on the birds present to the SAC objectives document. However, essential to achieving further improvement in the local area is the development of a network of landowners, land users and other stakeholders that are interested and involved in practical conservation.

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Natura 2000 Profile:

Marais de la Vallée des Baux (4,800 ha) et Marais d’Arles, Provence (13,030 ha combined)

Natural values:

Greater Horseshoe Bat

Priority habitats: Calcareous fens with Cladium mariscus, Mediterranean temporary ponds
Priority species: Jersey Tiger Moth Callimorpha quadripunctaria
Other features of EU Importance: eight habitats including natural eutrophic lakes, Salix alba and Populus alba galleries and lowland hay meadows. Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus, Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus, European Pond Terrapin Emys orbicularis, Greater Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and Southern Damselfly Coenagrion mercuriale

European Bee-eater

Socio-economic values:

• agriculture:sheep and cattle breeding, rice, cereals and hay
• hunting and tourism
• drinking and irrigation water supply, water storage and flood control

Habitat management

Threats/pressures:

Agricultural intensification (drainage, pesticide and fertiliser over-use, hedge removal), loss of pastures, disturbance from hunting, pollution of surface and ground waters, invasive species (e.g., Red-eared Slider Trachemys scripta)

The A Rocha vision:

To work with the local community in recognising the role of the former marshes in flood control, as biodiversity reservoirs and as potential sources for new, more sustainable, activities (including the harvesting of reeds, environmentally sensitive agriculture and ecotourism). To take advantage of the opportunities that arise to re-create wetlands and riparian woodlands in the area surrounding the Ilon Marsh.