LIFE NaturArmy is a LIFE Governance and Information programme whose impact has to be assessed. Three angles have been chosen: management of natural areas, awareness-raising and governance measures and a socio-economic impact assessment.
Impacts of awareness-raising and governance measures
A number of communication and awareness-raising actions will be organised during the LIFE NaturArmy project. Their impact will be assessed as the project progresses. The major communication challenge is to spread awareness of the fact that the armed forces play a major environmental role at both national and European level. The main targets are: French ministry of the Armed Forces staff, biodiversity actors, elected officials, etc.
Progress so far
A first quantitative assessment has been conducted for the period from September 2019 to December 2021.
Impacts of the management of natural areas on the pilot sites
On each pilot site, additional inventories will be carried out to complete the knowledge of the natural heritage. These additional diagnostic surveys will allow us to analyse (depending on local contexts): current biodiversity status and how it is linked to the management of the site, changes in biodiversity since the introduction of the Objectives Documents for the Natura 2000 sites…
Progress so far
Each Conservancy of Natural Areas (CEN) which has benefited from the LIFE project has launched a programme to improve knowledge of the pilot sites. For example, at the Romorantin site, habitats, fauna and flora inventories have been conducted since 2020. At the Cazaux base, the egg laying of the Maculinea (a butterfly which is the subject of a national action plan) has been monitored. At Montmorillon camp, an inventory has been conducted of all the bird species.
Economic impact of the management of natural areas on military land
The preservation of biodiversity is generally seen as a cost. A specific study will attempt to measure the economic benefits (monetary and non-monetary) of the LIFE NaturArmy project in the regions concerned and, more generally, of the management of military focused on biodiversity.
Progress so far
Ecosystem services are the benefits humans get from ecosystems and they are measured based on a very specific classification system. In 2020, a study was carried out to identify and evaluate the ecosystem services provided by the LIFE NaturArmy military sites. A total of eighteen different services were identified and ranked. For example, military land provides skills development services to the Army and serves to regulate extreme weather events or protect against fires.
Project partners
