Life Elia

The IENE 2016 symposium was held from 30/8 to 2/9 in Lyon. The LIFE Elia-RTE team participated by giving 1 field visit, 3 presentations and 2 posters. Approximately 460 participants from 42 countries attended this international symposium, which allowed many exchanges and sharing of good practices.

IENE : transport infrastructure and biodiversity

Infra Eco Network Europe is a network of experts working on different aspects of transport, infrastructure and ecology. The network was launched in 1996 to provide an independent, international and interdisciplinary space for the exchange and development of specialized knowledge - and to promote a safe and environmentally sustainable pan-European transport infrastructure.

Field visit: the LIFE Elia-RTE site in Drôme

Two main actions were carried out on the site in Drôme: grazing and digging ponds.

The pasture is entrusted to a local horse owner. Fences were installed to fence off the 1.2 ha space under the overhead line. In this first year of grazing, horses are numerous to maximize the chances of seeing woody plant species being grazed by animals. The number of horses may decrease over the years once these trees have been overwhelmed by grasses and other plants.

The land belongs to the Community of Municipalities of the Val de Drôme and the field works are well monitored by the National Nature Reserve of Ramières, both partners of the project in Drôme. In terms of biological impact, we note the census of 12 species of butterflies and the appearance of two orchids absent from the field before the work: the Ophrys bee (Ophrys apifera) and the Orchis pyramidal (Anacamptis pyramidalis).

Immediately adjacent to the grazed parcel, 5 ponds were excavated to improve the natural habitat for the crested newt (Triturus cristatus). This species of newt needs deep ponds and well enlighten to reproduce. The Drôme is the southern limit of its range in Europe. In the biological surveys carried out this season, 18 species of dragonflies have been recorded. The vegetation of the banks should continue and attract a greater diversity of insects.

Presentations at the conference

Several presentations were given by the LIFE team in collaboration with RTE. The topics covered were the LIFE project in general, ecological connectivity and potential at European level.

A week rich in exchanges and a good opportunity for the LIFE project to show ways to improve the taking into account of biodiversity along linear infrastructures.