Natura 2000 "Plaine de Fabrègues-Poussan" site

Natura 2000 is a European network of natural sites created with the aim of protecting biodiversity on the territory of the European Union.

Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole has been coordinating the Natura 2000 site on the plain of Fabrègues-Poussan since 2011. It took part in drawing up the Document d'Objectifs validated in 2013 and in extending the site in 2019.

The local authority is committed to protecting the site and implementing actions to raise awareness, preserve and restore environments and species.

• Identified sites:lNatura 2000 sites, such as the plain of Fabrègues-Poussan, are identified according to the presence of rare or threatened species and habitats, listed in European directives.
• Conservation measures: on each site, management measures are put in place to protect nature while allowing human activities compatible with the preservation of biodiversity to continue.
• Collaboration between stakeholders:the management of Natura 2000 sites is based on collaboration between regions, local authorities, landowners, farmers, foresters and associations.

This Special Protection Area, designated by ministerial decree in March 2006, bears a strong responsibility for the conservation of a number of bird species, as it hosts a significant proportion of their national numbers.

In fact, on this plain, the agricultural mosaic of cultivated areas punctuated by hedgerows and small copses is favorable to numerous bird species of high heritage value belonging to Annex 1 of the European "Birds" Directive.

An exceptional site home to 15 threatened bird species

• The Little Bustard, whose only sedentary population in France is confined to the Mediterranean plains of Languedoc-Roussillon and Provence.
• Lulu Lark, emblematic of our wine-growing plains
• Ortolan Bunting, a passerine listed as endangered on the red list of breeding birds in mainland France
• Rousseline Pipit,
• Bonelli's Eagle, a bird of prey classified as endangered in France,
• Harrier, a bird of prey classified as vulnerable in France
• Harrier Saint Martin,
• Kestrel, a small raptor found only in the Mediterranean area, classified as vulnerable on the red list of breeding birds in
• Metropolitan France
• The Short-toed Eagle,
• The Black Kite,
• The Great Horned Owl,
• The White Stilt,
• One of the last Languedoc populations of the Critically Endangered Rose-breasted Shrike in France,
• The European Roller.

Signatories to the Natura 2000 Charter undertake to follow a number of recommendations, such as:

• Authorize and facilitate access to the plots of land committed to the charter for the Natura 2000 site's management structureand/or for experts (appointed by the prefect or the management structure), so that inventory operations and assessments of the conservation status of species of community interest and their habitats can be carried out.
• Do not use polluting products (including phytosanitary products and synthetic fertilizers) outside agricultural environments
• Do not change the nature of the habitats of species of community interest present at the time of signing the charter (e.g. ploughing....), except for work carried out under Natura 2000 contracts and/or for safety reasons
• Do not sow for cultivation purposes and do not afforest open areas
• Do not plow permanent natural grasslands to avoid impacting the soil fauna (moles, earthworms, beetles, millipedes...). Prefer shallow tillage.
• Suppress the use of synthetic fertilizers and phytosanitary products in individual gardening or the maintenance of non-agricultural plots
• Avoid leaving paths and tracks, and respect facilities ensuring the restoration of natural habitats and the tranquillity of species.
• Favor maintaining wasteland at a low herbaceous stage.
• Check the setting of treatment equipmentfor phytosanitary products.
• Favor crop rotation for agricultural plots.
• Favor floristic diversity.
• Favor diversified agriculture.

The charter also includes specific recommendations on planting and cutting trees and hedges:

• Maintain large or senescent trees, with cavities, dead on the ground and/or standing, except for health risks or endangering the public.
• Do not cut down trees, except when they represent a risk to the public
• Maintain hedges, tree lines, copses, low walls, vegetated ditches which are elements structuring the landscape, a refuge for biodiversity and a biological corridor.
• Do not use weedkillers to maintain linear elements structuring the landscape.
• Prohibit the planting of exogenous and invasive species; favor natural regeneration and, for planting purposes, use local plant species.
• Maintain the Kestrel's dormitory sites on its plots: isolated trees

Walkers on foot, bike and horseback are required to respect the paths, maintain the cleanliness and tranquility of the site to minimize impacts on flora, fauna and natural habitats. In particular, it is recommended to:

• Respect the trails and tracks laid out
• Keep your dog on a leash on the site
• Manage your waste by returning it to the collection point

Users of motorized vehicles (4x4, quads, motocross...) must not leave the tracks authorized for traffic and must limit the use of their off-road vehicles from the beginning of March to the end of July, so as not to disturb the animals during the breeding season.

Finally, the charter has drawn up a list of the main invasive exotic animal species in mainland France, including: the American crayfish, the grey squirrel, the bullfrog, the sacred ibis, the common catfish, the coypu, the muskrat, the common catfish, the Florida tortoise...