Socio-environmental implications of process-based restoration strategies in large rivers: should we remove novel ecosystems along the Rhône (France)? - CNRS - Centre national de la recherche scientifique Accéder directement au contenu
Article Dans Une Revue Regional Environmental Change Année : 2018

Socio-environmental implications of process-based restoration strategies in large rivers: should we remove novel ecosystems along the Rhône (France)?

Hervé Piégay
Charles-Robin Gruel
  • Fonction : Auteur
Thierry Winiarski
  • Fonction : Auteur
Fanny Arnaud
Jonh Stella
  • Fonction : Auteur
Alvaro Tena-Pagan
  • Fonction : Auteur
Dad Roux-Michollet
  • Fonction : Auteur
  • PersonId : 880469

Résumé

River restoration efforts require interdisciplinary approaches involving fluvial geomorphology, hydraulic engineering, ecology, sedimentology, chemistry, social geography, and sociology. We investigated the functioning of artificial structures called “Casiers Girardon” (groyne fields) in the Rhône River. We assessed potential benefits and risks linked to removing the Rhône groyne fields in a restoration context, with particular focus on the potential for increased bank erosion. Hydraulic, morphological, chemical, ecological, and social issues resulting from dismantlement were studied for terrestrialized and aquatic Casiers Girardon. Only 10% of Casiers Girardon have maintained their aquatic features, whereas most of the Casiers are terrestrialized. Our results help to confirm the effectiveness of restoration actions; however, they also indicate uncertainties and additional knowledge needs, especially in regard to potential incompatibilities between Casier restoration and conservation. Then, an interdisciplinary conceptual model was developed to identify interventions to be considered in Casiers Girardon, according to their terrestrialization rate and physiochemical characteristics (connectivity, amount of gravel vs. fine sediment, contamination level). This model synthetizes scientific results and expert judgment and provides management recommendations based on ecological and sociological expectations about the restoration of Casiers Girardon. The model highlights high heterogeneity in functioning and ecological potential between terrestrialized and aquatic Casiers. Dismantling of terrestrialized Casiers has strong potential to provide multiple benefits, whereas aquatic Casiers could be maintained as valuable backwaters. The managing guidelines for the Casiers Girardon of the Rhône River should be adapted according to local conditions, as well as expected benefits and needs, and conducted in co-ordination with all actors involved in and affected by the restoration.
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Dates et versions

hal-01761297 , version 1 (12-07-2018)

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Citer

Maxine Thorel, Hervé Piégay, Carole Barthelemy, Bianca Räpple, Charles-Robin Gruel, et al.. Socio-environmental implications of process-based restoration strategies in large rivers: should we remove novel ecosystems along the Rhône (France)?. Regional Environmental Change, 2018, 18, pp.2019-2031. ⟨10.1007/s10113-018-1325-7⟩. ⟨hal-01761297⟩
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