A socio-ecological evaluation of wetlands restoration and reintroduction programs in favor of the emblematic European pond turtle and associated biodiversity: a pan-European approach
Partners
Image, City, Environment Laboratory (LIVE), CNRS/Strasbourg University
Territorial Management of Water and the Environment (GESTE), National School for Water and Environment Engineering
Environment and Territories, The European Community of Alsace
Loewe Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics, Senckenberg Nature Research Institute/ Goethe University/ Giessen University/Max Planck Institute
Ministry of Environment and agriculture, Germersheim District administration
Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU)
Life Science and Technology, Daugavpils University
Socio-Economic Geography, Gdansk University
Systems Collective Design Lab (HIVE)
Abstract
The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 emphasises that “we need nature in our lives”. Yet, the world is currently facing its 6th biodiversity crisis partly due to land mismanagement. Habitat restoration and reintroduction of threatened species are considered an operational strategy for limiting biodiversity erosion. The European pond turtle Emys orbicularis (hereafter ‘Emys’) is of particular interest in this context: in Europe where wetlands declined by 90% since the 18th century, it has suffered the most dramatic decline of all reptiles. The fact that conservation measures in favour of Emys benefit to biodiversity and the positive public perception it enjoys, explain why Emys has received much attention from scientists and stakeholders. Over the last 3 decades, the EU has funded numerous projects for wetland restoration in favour of Emys. Yet the results of these measures need to be more intensely promoted. A key question remains unanswered: what are the most effective wetland restoration methods suitable for sustainable maintenance of the European pond turtle and associated wildlife throughout Europe?