PRODVEGEUR

The main objective of the project is to install a functional plant production unit on Europa to support ecological restoration operations and build the capacity of French Southern and Antarctic Lands authorities, in charge of the implementation of the overall environmental actions of the island.

Abstract of the project:

The Island of Europa shows an exceptional state of conservation and is a veritable sanctuary of terrestrial and marine biodiversity providing scientists with an ideal open-air laboratory for understanding many evolutionary, ecological and ecosystem processes. The general objective of the project is the in situ installation of a functional plant production unit in an environment favourable to an ecological restoration operation on Europa Island while transferring skills to the TAAF (French Southern and Antarctic Lands authorities) officers who are responsible for the management of the site. Following the reception of the seeds of native plant species harvested on Europa by the conservation officers, training sessions on the propagation and rearing methods of these species are provided to the TAAF officers within the production unit of CBN-cpie Mascarin. A field mission on Europa will be undertaken to install the functional production unit and to eradicate the exotic woody plants around the TAAF station so as to transform this space into an area favourable for the multiplication of the native plants necessary for the future ecological restoration operations that will support the return of the fauna associated with this native vegetation and to provide an educational space for the discovery of the flora of European for visitors to the island.