The LIFE Jura peatlands
The LIFE Jura peatlands programme, implemented by six organisations and coordinated by the Conservatoire d’espaces naturels de Franche-Comté, began on 1 June 2014. It ended in November 2021.
Birth of the project
The multiple roles of wetlands, and in particular peatlands, are no longer in question. They are reservoirs of biodiversity that also play an essential role in the water cycle. They are also sources of unsuspected paleoclimatic information, but also interesting carbon sinks and have a real landscape interest.
However, certain past actions (peat extraction, drainage, rectification of watercourses, etc.) still have a strong impact on peatlands today: drying out, mineralisation of the peat, overgrowth and closure of the environment, loss of biodiversity, etc.
Hydrological rehabilitation of these environments is an essential prerequisite for their preservation.
In view of the number of peatlands concerned and the scale of the work envisaged, conventional financial resources were not very suitable. The Financial Instrument for the Environment (LIFE) is perfectly suited to this type of programme through the annual LIFE + Nature calls for projects. Only actions concerning Natura 2000 sites can be financed in this framework.
A multi-partner programme
A number of organisations have therefore joined forces to set up an ambitious 7-year programme to rehabilitate the peatlands of the Jura massif. Thus, the Conservatoire d’espaces naturels de Franche-Comté, the Syndicat mixte des milieux aquatiques du Haut-Doubs, the Parc naturel régional du Haut-Jura, the Association des amis de la Réserve naturelle du lac de Remoray, the Syndicat mixte d’aménagement du Dessoubre et de valorisation du bassin versant and the DREAL Bourgogne-Franche-Comté worked together to submit a LIFE+ project. This has enabled the mobilisation of significant European funding, supplemented by the Rhône Méditerranée Corse water agency, the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Regional Council and the Doubs and Jura departments.
Beneficiary structures
- Conservatoire d’espaces naturels de Franche-Comté (coordinateur)
- Syndicat mixte des milieux aquatiques du Haut-Doubs
- Parc naturel régional du Haut-Jura
- Association des amis de la Réserve naturelle du lac de Remoray
- Syndicat mixte d’aménagement du Dessoubre et de valorisation du bassin versant
- DREAL Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
Important works
In concrete terms, this project focused on the rehabilitation of the hydrological functioning of the peatlands. Major work was carried out with this in mind in order to enable the regeneration of the sites concerned.
In total, 55 peatlands, spread over 14 Natura 2000 sites in the Doubs and Jura, were the subject of rehabilitation work.
Local awareness and appropriation
Throughout these seven years, the beneficiaries of the programme have endeavoured to pass on their knowledge of these environments, to inform and raise the awareness of the inhabitants and elected representatives of the challenges of their preservation.
Site visits, public meetings, school activities, nature outings, screenings, exhibitions, events, etc., have thus punctuated the work and raised the awareness of many people.
LIFE Jura peatlands budget
This programme has mobilised a budget of more than 8 million euros. It thus represents a major opportunity for the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region to take concrete and sustainable action to safeguard peatlands… while also generating significant direct or indirect economic benefits for the Massif.
The breakdown of funding is as follows:
- 46 % by the European Union under the LIFE+ Programme,
- 40 % by the Rhône Méditerranée Corse Water Agency,
- 4 % by the Regional Council of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté,
- 1 % by the Conseil général du Doubs,
- 1 % by the Conseil général of Jura,
- 8 % of participation of the programme’s associated beneficiaries.
