Outline of the island’s natural environment
The natural areas on Belle-Ile-en-Mer are particularly rich, as shown by the many protective measures in force there. Rare, protected ecosystems dot the entire island: grey and shifting dunes, coastal moors and moors with Cornish heath (typical of insular environments), cliff-top sward and plants that grow in cracks.
These environments are home to a wide variety of rare species. Many plants are protected, such as the Plantago holosteum plantain (regional protection), Gadeceau’s carrot (national protection), the various species of orchid (national protection) and Godron’s dodder (Cuscuta planiflora subsp. Godronii) (indigenous – national protection).
Not only plants but also animals need protection. The most representative examples of these are the breeding birds. However we should not forget amphibians (e.g. green lizard, protected throughout Europe), butterflies and other, lesser-known species.
Natura 2000 on Belle-Île
What is Natura 2000?
The Natura 2000 network is aimed at protecting natural diversity in Europe by forming a European network of sites containing habitats (natural environments) and/or species that are important for the community (or of European interest, i.e. endangered at European level). Some of these sites are more sensitive and rarer than others, so take greater priority. On Belle-Île, for example, cliff-top vegetation and all of the marine habitats are of community interest; the moors with Cornish heath and the fixed dunes are high-priority.
Protecting and promoting nature
A variety of protective measures are in force on Belle-Île, including listed sites, Natura 2000, the Conservatoire du littoral (coastal protection agency), and designation as sensitive natural areas. The overlapping of measures may seem confusing to the layman, but they are all geared towards the same goal: protecting the quality of the island’s landscapes and the biodiversity they contain for future generations.
The Communauté de Communes de Belle-Ile-en-Mer (CCBI), through the 15 officers employed in its natural areas department, is in charge of coordinating these measures and organising the protective initiatives.
The goals of protecting Belle-Île’s natural environments:
- protect biodiversity
- control visitor traffic and restore damaged sites
- raise awareness among visitors and users
- monitor plant and animal species
- play an active part in protecting the marine environment
>> The site of the Community of Communes
>> The site of "The House of Nature"
>> The site of "Natura 2000"
>> The site of the "Conservatoire du littoral"
