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Constraints, limits and perspectives for Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Isle of Camargue

Irrigation canal in the North of the

Project leader: Philippe CHAUVELON (See the CV)

Team:

Marc Pichaud, Alain Sandoz
Yves Chérain, SNPN-RNC ; Serge Chiron, Université de Provence LCE ; Eric Coulet, SNPN - Réserve Nationale de Camargue (RNC) ; Alain Dervieux, CNRS-DESMID ; Pierre Gaufres, CETMEF ; Patrick Höhener, Université de Provence LCE ; Bernard Picon, CNRS-DESMID ; Frédéric Pons, CETE Méditerranée ; Raphael Mathevet, CNRS CEFE ; Olivier Radakovitch, CEREGE ; François Sabatier, CEREGE


The variability of natural and anthropic forcing processes, which are conditioning short and mid term evolution of the “Ile de Camargue” deltaic hydro-system, is directly impacted by global change. In an uncertain context, stake holders have to rely on knowledge bases, simulation tools as operational as possible, for decision support and prospective analysis.
Several research projects were developed or are ongoing on the Rhone river delta, focusing on a better understanding of physical, biological, social processes and their interactions. The Research and Prospective Service of the French Ministry of Ecology and Sustainable Development is coordinating two programs: LITEAU (“What scientific support to provide for local stakeholders for an integrated management of coastal ecosystems?”); and GICC (“Management and impact of climatic change”). Within this framework, two projects were recently conducted: “Consequences on fish populations of the hydro-saline variability of a Mediterranean lagoon complex, induced by hydraulic management and climatic constraints” (LITEAU 1 program); “Impact of extreme events (storms and sea surges) linked to climatic change, on the French coastal Mediterranean hydro-systems” (IMPLIT project of program GICC 2).
The GIZCAM project (“Constraints, limits and perspectives for Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Isle of Camargue”), initiated in 2006, within the LITEAU 2 program, proposes the coordination of several research axes, whose objectives are to promote integrated coastal zone management in the Rhone delta.

Objectives:

It is scheduled to finalize a simulation model of the “Ile de Camargue” (Rhone delta central area) hydrological functioning; to make it more modular in order to integrate new hydraulic management options, in normal (agricultural drainage) or critical (river floods and sea storms) situation. This tool is based in particular on data generated by a GIS, whose further implementation will lead to a control board of delta land use and ecosystems status. The evolution of coastline and bathymetric profiles in most sensible areas will be studied on a quantitative basis in relation with existing coastal defence structures and wave forcing. The results should allow to promote alternative management options of the coastal area. Pesticides fluxes, from input on the delta drainage basin area, and salt fluxes at the sea interface, will be investigated, in order to estimate global transfer functions in the hydro system. Empirical sociological study will be conducted, focusing on understanding actions, decision making processes, and their impact on the functioning of the water executive commission. A role-playing game based on a Multi Agent simulation tool, will be used to assess negotiation processes while searching to establish sustainable management rules for coastal wetlands.


Contents:


Activities:

The priorities for the hydrology and hydraulics tasks of the project are to implement the IMPLIT project, that is to say characterization and simulation of hydro-climatic crisis for the “Ile de Camargue”.
The specific hydro-saline modelling task for the hydrosystem during summer and rice farming period is delayed. Nevertheless data acquisition is still ongoing, some of them being new, like continuous monitoring of conductivity in the southern lagoons.
Others activities in 2006 were : national quick off meeting of Liteau Program, thematic meetings and coordination meetings for GIZCAM project, and the participation to meetings organized by the “Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue” in the commissions related to water and aquatic habitat management.


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