A participatory atlas to better understand and protect our environment
Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole is mobilizing to preserve its biodiversity by inviting all residents to take part in the creation of a Biodiversity Atlas. This ambitious project aims to draw up a precise inventory of local flora and fauna, in order to better understand and protect our natural heritage.
Hosted by the Office Français de la Biodiversité for the deployment of this Atlas, the Metropole benefits from its financial support.
Why a biodiversity atlas?
Our region, world-renowned for its biological wealth, is facing numerous challenges linked to urbanization and climate change. It is one of the world's 36 hotspots.
- 1/3 of our areas are very rich natural environments
- we are home to 2/3 of the species known in mainland France!
The number of inhabitants in the metropolis has multiplied by 4 in 75 years. To limit demographic pressure on our natural heritage, we give priority to urban renewal and extensions are kept within existing urban envelopes.
The Biodiversity Atlas is an indispensable tool for:
- Getting to know our environment better : by listing the species present, we can better understand ecosystems and the interactions between different species. A map of biodiversity issues is published for the territory.
- Orienting public policies: the data collected will enable land development projects to be adapted to minimize their impact on biodiversity.
- Raising public awareness: by involving citizens, the Atlas fosters a better understanding of nature protection issues and encourages the adoption of more environmentally-friendly behavior.
How can I contribute to the Biodiversity Atlas?
Several actions are proposed to contribute to the enrichment of the Atlas:
- Download the iNaturalist app on Google Play or on the App store, search for the project "ABM - Métropole Montpellier" and record your observations. With just a few clicks, you can geolocate your observations and share your photos of plant or animal species.
- Participate in events: nature outings and workshops are regularly organized to unlock the secrets of biodiversity, waterways, the night and bats, garden birds, insects...
- Join the 24h of Biodiversity: a great get-together, once or twice a year, in different locations around the metropolis, to learn and do collective inventories together, day and night, and lots of other activities for all ages. It's an opportunity to share convivial moments around nature!
What species are we looking for?
Electors, parents, schoolchildren, associations, businesses... All citizens are invited to take part in the census of local flora and fauna.
The Atlas focuses on certain emblematic species of our region such as the wall lizard, the Montpellier aphyllanthe but all observations are welcome! With the Inaturalist app, we're particularly looking for:
- birds (Black Redstart, Kestrel, Scops Owl, and Tawny Owl)
- a reptile (the Wall Lizard)
- a mammal (the European Hedgehog)
- plants (the Montpellier Aphyllanthe, Venus belly button and Yellow Ophrys)
- insects (fireflies and glow worms)
Why take action?
All these species are seeing their numbers plummet rapidly, while others are invading us: like pampas grass, pampas lily of the valley and ailante.
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