Passionate about the preservation of aquatic environments, Romain has built his career around water and the environment. After a BTS in Water Management and Control followed by a degree in Water and Environment, he naturally turned to the management and protection of rivers.
Since 2022, Romain has been ensuring the good health of waterways as a river technician in the Upper Hérault Basin: he carries out ecological assessments, monitors riparian vegetation, measures flow rates, advises local authorities and raises awareness among river residents…
It also intervenes during crisis situations – floods, ice jams or pollution – where its responsiveness and detailed knowledge of the territory are essential.
Between observation, coordination and teaching, Romain works in a profession very close to nature, where each day contributes to preserving the life and balance of the rivers.
Find Romain in our South Cévennes destination magazine, Wild Encounter issue no. 6
What types of work do you do most frequently?
The most frequent interventions mainly concern the maintenance of the riparian zone, to ensure a balance between biodiversity, safety, and proper water flow. This involves removing trees that have fallen into the watercourse, those that are leaning too far, or those affected by disease.
Another of our missions is combating invasive exotic plant species found along the banks of our waterways, such as Japanese knotweed and butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii). As with riparian vegetation, we follow a multi-year management plan that determines the sections where we need to intervene. Finally, we conduct hydrological monitoring during the summer months: we track the flow of the main rivers and some tributaries to improve our understanding of their behavior during periods of low water. This monitoring allows us to implement prefectural drought orders based on the thresholds reached (vigilance, alert, heightened alert, or crisis).
Which recent project has impressed you the most?
In March 2025, the River Syndicate coordinated two days dedicated to raising awareness about wetlands, in collaboration with four partners committed to this issue: Natura 2000, the Cévennes National Park, the Gard Hunting Federation, and the Gard Fishing Federation. These two days offered a varied program: workshops on aquatic biodiversity and the water cycle, held at the Vigan secondary school; an information stand at the local market; thematic conferences; field trips; and documentary screenings.
The enthusiastic public reception confirmed the relevance of this initiative, which will therefore be renewed in 2026.
What are the major environmental challenges facing the region?
In the upper reaches of the Hérault River, the environmental challenges reflect those faced by many Mediterranean regions. Here, water resources remain fragile: low rainfall and the absence of underground reserves, particularly in the granite bedrock, make some villages especially vulnerable.
In 2023, the town of Alzon even had to be supplied by tanker trucks due to a lack of tap water.
The region is also prone to sudden and violent floods, such as those that occurred in Val d'Aigoual in 2020 and Saint-Laurent-le-Minier in 2014. In addition to these hydrological risks, there is the pressure of tourism: the beauty of the landscapes and the abundance of rivers attract numerous visitors each summer who come to canoe or swim. This influx must be balanced with the preservation of fragile ecosystems.
In this contrasting territory, between droughts and floods, tourist traffic and the need for preservation, integrated water management appears more than ever as a collective necessity.
What hidden riches or unknown vulnerabilities characterize this basin?
Many are familiar with the spectacular landscapes of the Vis gorges and the numerous swimming areas in the region, but few imagine the hidden ecological richness of the small tributaries, springs, and temporary wetlands. These environments harbor exceptional biodiversity, and their fragility stems from their inconspicuousness: because they are not easily visible, they are often neglected or damaged by poorly designed construction or development projects.
If nothing were done, what would the Hérault region look like in 20 years?
Projections from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the prospective studies "Water and the Hérault River Basin 2050" confirm a rise in temperatures across the entire region, as well as a seasonal redistribution of water resources. Low water levels are becoming longer, while autumn rainfall events are increasing in intensity. These repeated disturbances weaken the resilience of aquatic environments. Faced with these challenges, it is urgent to amplify actions to preserve and raise awareness about the protection of wetlands, to continue improving our understanding of how these environments function, and to maintain regular maintenance in order to preserve their ecological potential.
An encouraging observation: where measures are implemented, ecosystems show a capacity for rapid recovery, which is a sign of daily motivation!
What are the key species in the area?
The Upper Hérault Basin is home to several emblematic species, such as the brown trout, the Hérault bullhead or the European eel, indicators of the ecological quality of the rivers.
The presence of the European otter and the beaver also indicates a good quality of the riparian habitat.
All these species depend on a fragile hydrological balance and reasoned maintenance of the banks.
