PIM
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Mediterranean Small Islands Initiative |
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Research
Context and Issues
There are almost 15,000 islands and islets in the Mediterranean Sea. These ecosystems shelter a large number of species and provide a great resource for the protection of Mediterranean biodiversity. In these isolated microcosms, everything is magnified: tourist pressure, climate change, pollution, and invasive species, among others. However, only 35 archipelagos are officially managed, and many others have never been studied.
Since 2005, the Mediterranean Small Islands (PIM) Initiative has developed numerous collaborations with stakeholders for the protection of the sea and the coast throughout the entire Mediterranean basin (about 60 partners): national and international institutions, communities, universities, NGOs, independent experts, researchers, managers, naturalists, rangers, architects, project managers, guides, developers, divers, etc. It is the diversity of partners that creates the richness and uniqueness of PIM Initiative actions.
Objectives
The French Coastal Protection Agency (Conservatoire du Littoral) coordinates the PIM Initiative, with the ultimate objective of developing resource protection/conservation projects. It contributes to the protection of insular microcosms by: :
- Setting up practical measures for conservation management
- Facilitating the exchange of information and experience between site managers and experts throughout the Mediterranean Basin
Methodology
The PIM Initiative is based on the exchange and sharing of knowledge. It aims to set up an effective and practical management framework for microcosms, achieved through scientific and technical missions in the field.
Results and Perspectives
Since 2007, our Ecology of Biological Invasions research group has participated in projects in France (îles d’Hyères: Bagaud), Albania (Sazani), Malta (Comino), Tunisia (la Galite, Zembra archipelago), and Algeria (Habibas).
Bagaud island example: this project (2006-2015) is integrated into the PIM Initiative. Port-Cros National Park plans to perform two simultaneous eradications of invasive taxa on Bagaud Island (Strict Nature Reserve): black rat (Rattus rattus) and hottentot plant (Carpobrotus spp.). The expertise of the Ecology of Biological Invasions research group was requested because of its experience in mammalian biological invasions.
Publications issued from the project
RUFFINO, L. BUISSON, E. KREBS, E. LORVELEC, O. PASCAL, M. PASSETTI, A. VIDAL, E. al. (2013) .Eradications as scientific experiments: first attempt to eradicate two major invasive taxa, Rattus rattus and Carpobrotus spp., from a Mediterranean island
KREBS, E. ABOUCAYA, A. BERGER, G. BUISSON, E. BROUSSET, H. DE MERINGO, J. GAUTHIER, J. LORVELEC, O. MEUNIER, J.-Y. PONEL, P. PASCAL, M. PASSETTI, A. VIDAL, E. (2013) .La Reserve integrale de Bagaud : Un laboratoire naturel de restauration ecologique
BOURGEOIS, K. OUNI, R. PASCAL, M. DROMZEE, S. FOURCY, D. ABIADH, A. (2013) .Dramatic increase in the Zembretta Yelkouan shearwater breeding population following ship rat eradication spurs interest in managing a 1500-year old invasion
People involved
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FOURCY Damien, Scientist Phone : +33 2 23 48 70 09 Email : damien.fourcy@inrae.fr |
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LE QUILLIEC Patricia, Technician Phone : +33 2 23 48 57 29 Email : patricia.le-quilliec@inrae.fr |
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LORVELEC Olivier, Scientist Phone : +33 2 23 48 57 34 Email : olivier.lorvelec@inrae.fr |
Partners
Funding and Support
Example of the Bagaud project: