Here is a label that, like the Natural Parks, takes care of biodiversity, but at a European level. We find this same desire to preserve an exceptional nature, to raise public awareness, while taking into account human activities.
Natura 2000 deploys a whole range ofconcrete actions and kindly recommends to all toadopting good behaviors to limit the erosion of biodiversity.
Find information on the 4 Nautra 2000 zones in Oisans on the dedicated sites
Precautions to follow in Natura 2000 areas
Natura 2000 protects areas in their entirety, and not just a plant or animal element. These are natural habitats AND species called of community interest (therefore “for the European Community”) classified as priorities for some, the destruction of which is prohibited.
During your hikes, remember to…
- Stay on marked trails (marking, signage, etc.) and do not take shortcuts as this can cause soil erosion, destruction of vegetation and disturbance of wildlife and herds.
- Keep your dog on a leash so as not to disturb wildlife and domestic herds.
- Do not make fire, this destroys the soil for decades.
- No wild camping. Bivouacking is regulated from 19 p.m. to 9 a.m., and only in a clearly marked area for this purpose on the Taillefer lakes plateau. Find the bivouac regulations on the dedicated pages: Taillefer massif and Emparis – Ferrand plateau.
- Do not swim in high altitude lakesThese are very fragile ecosystems and sensitive to disturbances (pollution, suspension of sediments, trampling of banks, etc.).
For more information on the regulations in force, do not hesitate to consult the website
Natura 2000
Actions for biodiversity
Concretely, this is how the Natura 2000 system works for biodiversity in Oisans.
under video surveillance
Bats
A colony of Small and large mouse-eared bats takes up residence every year in the attic of a municipal building in Bourg-d'Oisans to reproduce from May to October. Despite the renovation of the building, all these little people are doing well! Natura 2000 has been keeping a close eye on things and the counts of individuals carried out every year and the quantity of guano (excrement) collected at the end of the year have been increasing in recent years!
These stars of Oisans are under threat
The Yellow-bellied Toads,
The Yellow-bellied Toad, a small, discreet toad measuring no more than 5 cm and weighing less than 15 g, is now protected at the national level and in danger of extinction in the Isère department.
After two very dry summers, not very conducive to its reproduction due to the drying up of water points from May, it was time to act in its favour. Ponds have been restored on one of the last two sites on the Oisans plain hosting the species. A large logging site and a lot of clearing work were carried out to restore habitats favorable to the Toads: lots of light, little vegetation, gentle slopes and relatively temperate water. This work paid off since many Toad eggs and tadpoles were observed in these new ponds!
resumes service
The large tufa pit ofOrnon
This sensitive ecosystem is rare in the mountains: surprising natural sculptures with the development of rare mosses frozen by water limescaleThe flow of water had been disrupted by the construction of a track, but appropriate work has allowed the natural process to resume its course.
is displayed
Natura 2000
In total, 8 entrance panels were positioned at the main access points to the Taillefer and Emparis sites!
Their role? Physically mark the entrance to a protected natural area recognized for the presence of rare, threatened and protected species, to signal it to passing visitors.
Each panel indicates the Natura 2000 classification, recalls the associated regulations and invites you to connect to the website to discover in more detail the ecological wealth of the site.
mountain huted in the Taillefer
Peat bogs and low marshes
A true water tower of Oisans, The Taillefer site is known for the presence of its many wetlands and peatlands. After the diversion of the path going up to Basse Montagne to protect the peat bogs in the area, it is the turn of the lakes on the plateau to benefit from a little boost for their preservation.
In 2024, the area of the Vèche, Agneau and Lac Noir lakes, which suffer from their notoriety, was protected. For avoid the multitude of paths created by repeated trampling over several years around the lakes, Small wooden posts have been placed along the trail to remind hikers to stay on it. and not to go down into the very fragile wetlands. Very attractive, the latter are remarkable for their biodiversity and are home to many protected species (fauna and flora) which must also benefit from quiet areas on the plateau in order to be able to develop. Round-leaved sundew, broad-leaved cottongrass, viviparous lizards, red frogs, snails and other dragonflies will now be able to live there in complete peace!
A one-way street
Petrifying fountain of Clots
On the path that climbs to the Emparis plateau from Mizoën, the Pisse wetlands, bogs, petrifying waterfall et tufa, have suffered from their notoriety. To avoid the multitude of paths that have been created around the site over the years, signs, marking of the area with small posts and a one-way path have been created.
Eastern Bunias, an invasive in the crosshairs
Oriental Bunias is an invasive exotic species native to Eastern Europe. The danger of this plant comes from its ability to spread rapidly, thus gradually replacing our local plants…
In order to limit its expansion in Oisans, a participatory Bunias uprooting project is organized every year at Col d’Ornon.
Several plots are combed through and each plant identified is extracted using a spade in order to remove its large root system as best as possible. This uprooting takes place before seeding, in order to prevent the plant from forming seeds, knowing that a Bunias plant can produce up to 4! The replenishment of the seed stock is thus greatly limited. The uprooted plants are then stored in a large airtight bag and exported from the station to be destroyed.
In Oisans
4 Natura 2000 areas
What are the environments and species which, in Oisans, motivated the creation of 4 Natura 2000 zones?
One of the common points of these sites is the presence of wetlands: peat bogs, marshes, tufa, etc. These are the environments most sensitive to climate change or to frequentation. They are very frequented by species which, without these environments, would disappear. The balance of these ecosystems often depends on very little...
Emparis Plateau – Goléon and Ferrand Valley
High plateau, alpine grassland and wetlands
The Emparis plateau is a huge limestone plateau where alpine lawn predominates and within which are interwoven remarkable wetlands, like that of Rif Tort. Recognized alpine pasture area, the herds graze there all summer, so thank you foradapt your behavior when approaching the flocks and respecting the work of the shepherds.
You will probably see flying above your heads the griffon vulture or bearded vulture.
Protected species on the Emparis plateau
The bearded vulture, the griffon vulture, the two-tone sedge and the Rif Tort mountain pasture.
The slopes of the col d’Ornon
Forests, moors and hay meadows
The site of col d’Ornon bears witness to the geological history of the Alps. It extends over three ancient glacial valleys, the Lignarre, the Malsanne and the Bonne. The pass is located at the crossroads of several climatic influences with a north-south exposure.
Its biological interest?
Very diverse natural habitats are present, such as alluvial forests (floodable) with white alders, hay meadows still maintained, pastures off-season, several forest massifs to beeches, moors on the steepest slopes, rocky habitats as well as one of the rare populations of venus slipper from the northern Alps.
Protected species on the site of the col d’Ornon
The lady's slipper, the white-footed crayfish, the mountain long-eared bat and the Alpine rosalie.
The Taillefer massif
Moorlands, peat bogs and rocky habitats
Shaped by glaciers, Taillefer is home to a multitude of peat bogs, small lakes, moors, lawns, scree, and homes to rare plant and animal species.
A varied and precious fauna
Le loup and the very discreet lynx frequent the massif. The Alpine newt as for him, it flourishes in the many bodies of water. If you are discreet and lucky, you may come across typical mountain birds such as the rock ptarmigan, black grouse or bartavelle partridge (move with velvet steps, they are very sensitive to noise!).
Warning !
Attendance up 74% over the last 5 years (including the deconfinement effect) is flattering for the plateau but very dangerous for the species to be protected. Think about it as you go up there, it's beautiful but it's fragile.
Protected species in the Taillefer massif
The Alpine newt, the lynx, the rock ptarmigan and the black grouse.
The plain and the slopes of Bourg-d'Oisans
Alluvial environments, steppe grasslands and spruce forests
The vast plain of Bourg-d'Oisans can be surprising: ancient glacial basin, it is framed by imposing steep slopes. The landscape is remarkable with its bocage, its meadows, the Vénéon alpine river, the scree and folds of the land...
In a hidden corner of the plain nestles the Sensitive Natural Area (ENS) of Vieille Morte.
Protected species in the Bourg-d'Oisans plain
The greater mouse-eared bat, the bullhead, the yellow-bellied toad and the rock trefoil.
Good reflexes in the mountains
Or how to protect nature and prepare yourself