For the past two years, Alban has been part of the Cévennes National Park team as team leader of the rangers in the Aigoual massif, one of the five massifs that make up the Park.
The job of a warden-monitor consists of implementing the guidelines of the "Knowledge and monitoring of the territory" service.
Find Alban in our South Cévennes destination magazine, Wild Encounter issue no. 6
What is your role within the Cévennes National Park?
My roles are defined by two distinct statuses: environmental technician and environmental inspector. As an inspector, my role is to ensure compliance with regulations and the application of the Environmental Code. The core area of the Park is subject to regulations defined by decree, while the buffer zone is governed by a charter aimed at the sustainable and coherent development of the territory.
This job is fascinating, both because of the diversity of the tasks involved and the unique nature of the Park: here, nature conservation and human activities coexist. It's a major challenge, one that has been addressed for some fifty years, and it's very rewarding to be part of this ongoing quest for balance. Humans are inseparable from their environment: supporting the territory as a whole is central to the work of the Cévennes National Park.
What are the major territorial issues taken into account in your work?
The social and territorial dimension is fundamental. We are at the crossroads of agricultural, forestry, naturalist, and economic issues. Hunting, fishing, and outdoor activities are fully part of our areas of action, always striving for harmony between uses and preservation.
Our scientific strategy is based on a prioritization of issues, defined sector by sector according to their specific characteristics. We can only effectively protect what we know. The public institution is also responsible for certain heritage species at the national level. Some species of fauna and flora are now only found in the Cévennes. Entire bird populations depend directly on the local conservation status, such as the short-toed eagle.
What changes are you observing in ecosystems and water resources?
The Aigoual massif is rich in natural habitats and requires constant attention.
Water resources depend not only on rainfall, but also on the good condition of wetlands and the natural functioning of mountain streams.
Climate change is exacerbating risks, particularly in terms of fires and recurring droughts. Flora and fauna are evolving: some species are moving to higher altitudes, while others are disappearing. Even if some habitats show resilience, the speed of climate change often exceeds the time needed to understand and adapt complex ecosystems.
After more than thirty years of prospecting in the mountains, I have notably observed marked water stress on certain forests of the Aigoual.
What actions does the Park carry out throughout the year in the mountain range?
The themes vary according to the seasons.
In summer, we accompany livestock farmers to their summer pastures and conduct awareness campaigns for visitors during peak periods. Spring and summer are also dedicated to floral monitoring.
We also carry out numerous wildlife monitoring studies: day butterflies, beetles (such as the hermit beetle or the Alpine longhorn beetle), mammals and micromammals, including the water shrew, a true indicator of water quality.
Birds of prey, both diurnal and nocturnal, are also regularly monitored. The presence of small, rare, and fluctuating mountain owls has been observed, such as the boreal owl (which has recently appeared, with no confirmed breeding to date) or Tengmalm's owl, emblematic of cool and well-preserved beech forests.
Does the territory host any iconic species?
Yes, especially with regard to bats. The Cévennes region is home to the majority of species found in France. For some, like the European barbastelle, we even record record numbers for the south of the country.
Telemetry tracking of the greater noctule, an arboreal bat, shows strong interactions between the forests of Aigoual and other sites sometimes located more than 60 km away.
What is the main action currently being carried out on the Aigoual massif?
This year, the major project is the creation of a release site for bearded vultures, a species that has been present here for thousands of years. This project is part of a European LIFE program and benefits from close monitoring across several European mountain ranges.
The bearded vulture, a bone-eating vulture, symbolizes a strong commitment to the return of a major heritage species.
In what ways is the Cévennes National Park a unique territory?
The Cévennes National Park is the only inhabited mid-mountain national park.
This reality necessitates a constant search for a balance between preserving natural environments and human activities.
It is precisely this alignment between protection, uses and local life that gives full meaning to our missions.
