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An unique ecosystem to be preserved

An unique ecosystem to be preserved

Seen from the sky, the salt marshes of Guérande are a mosaic of colors that evolves with the seasons. This remarkable landscape is an unique ecosytem. and has been shaped by human hands for centuries. The artisanal production respects the ecological and biological richness of this natural unique ecosystem site.

Like any ecosystem, salt marshes represent a fragile wilderness that is essential to preserve for a long time the species used to live discreetly in these places.

As an unique ecosystem, special environment leads to special life, as the different salinity levels found in the salt works during the year and tides promote an exceptional biodiversity. This starts with more or less salt-tolerant bacteria, which feed small crustaceans, and create the wealth of the “traicts” (straits) (lien vers lexique) when the water is discharged out to sea; in turn, these are eaten by fish and shellfish, who are themselves prey for birds.

The site is also the preferred home for many different insects (flies, wasps, beetles…), which are eaten by specialised spiders, reptiles and amphibians. This small world is not visible at first glance.

The more visible species (herons, little egrets…) which are described as native, were scarcely present 40 years ago, and their massive presence now has destabilised the fragile balance.

The fauna

Birds: about 180 species have been observed, as such, the area has been classified as an Important Bird Area (IBA) under the 1979 European Birds Directive. Among the species observed, we can mention the following: avocet, garzette egret, brant, harrier, curlew, coot, blue throat, grey heron, oystercatcher, moustache tit, plover, effarvatte redhead, white spatula, common tern etc.

The flora

Aster maritime, chêne vert, jonc, obione, oseille des rochers, roseau, salicorne, soude maritime, spartine, statice, tamaris, etc.

Nesting species choose a suitable site in the spring, not only for its physical environment and proximity to food, but also for the presence or absence of other living beings such as man who is part of the countryside.

They are reassured by our everyday presence, at the same time each day, and our indifference to them. Their predators, often opportunists, visit a large area, and human presence disturbs them when it is irregular. (contrary to claims by pseudo-specialists in expensive reports for the highest European authorities) cf report to come

It is not unusual to see a salt worker coming to the salt works with his dog. This does not however represent a danger for the nesting birds, as the dog is used to them. The species live in perfect harmony and protect each other.

However, inopportune visits to this wild environment lead to numerous species leaving, in particular the young who are easily disorientated by the strange intruders. They are then at the mercy of predators.

As in any ecosystem, the salt marshes represent a wild, fragile environment which it is essential to preserve to conserve the species that live discreetly in the zones for a long time to come.