European Rewilding Network
Arc-Châteauvillain Integral Forest Reserve
Parc National de Forêts
OLIVIER PELLERIN
David Meier
Soline Bouveaux
Lucie Dietz
Jonathan Lenglet
The Arc-Châteauvillain integral forest reserve was created in December 2021, two years after the creation of the National Forest Park. Its objective is to be “a space dedicated to the aging and free expression of the natural evolutionary processes of a forest, with a view to restoring naturalness, serving as an ecological reference, and promoting discovery and scientific research”.
This project has the ambition to create a cohesive environment based on the preservation of the natural processes and the evolution of the autonomous forest ecosystems to ensure biodiversity and the sustainability of forests. The Reserve Forestiere d’Arc-Châteauvillain, with a non-intervention approach, represents an essential part of its disposition, contributing to the realization of the conservation and scientific research objectives.
Project:
Arc-Châteauvillain Integral Forest Reserve
Region:
Haute-Marne and Côte-d'Or, France
Type of project:
Creating space for wilder nature
Aim and vision:
Its objective is to establish “a space dedicated to spontaneous forest dynamics, aimed at restoring naturalness, serving as an ecological reference, and supporting discovery and scientific research.” The forest is no longer subject to silvicultural interventions (no logging or work except for safety measures along circulation routes) and is left to evolve freely.
The establishment of this area aims, on the one hand, to protect forests and restore the natural processes and dynamics of the forest ecosystem, thereby promoting and preserving biodiversity—particularly species dependent on mature and senescent stages and deadwood, which often represent a missing “link” in managed forests where trees are harvested well before senescence. On the other hand, it improves understanding of how forest ecosystems left to free evolution function within specific ecological and geographical contexts.
Other activities:
Community involved, Eco tourism, Education, Research
Results you aim to accomplish in 10 years from now on:
In 10 years, we aim to have restored resilient forest ecosystems thriving in natural dynamics, with increased biodiversity and stable populations of mature and deadwood-dependent species. We also seek to advance scientific knowledge and community awareness on forest free evolution and conservation.
Results so far:
The creation in 2021 of the Integral Reserve represents the main achievement in favor of the naturalness framework of the National Forest Park. Its management plan was subsequently developed, thus defining the actions to be carried out over the next five years around 4 axes (naturalness, knowledge, territorial anchoring and management/governance). At the same time, work with public and private forest managers is underway to set up old wood islands on the scale of the Heart of the National Park, with the objective of having 5% of the surface area of state forests in senescence islands. The definition of these spaces is currently being considered, and is being refined during the revisions of the sustainable management documents.
Inspirational value:
Working on the Arc-Châteauvillain integral reserve has deepened our understanding of natural forest dynamics and the critical role of allowing ecosystems to evolve freely. It highlights the importance of preserving mature and deadwood habitats for biodiversity. The initiative inspires by combining rigorous science with innovative approaches, fostering lasting ecological and societal benefits.
Experience you would like to share:
The integration of the National Forest Park and its Integral Reserve into international networks will strengthen its attractiveness, by consolidating its reputation. This approach will support its scientific vocation and position it as a privileged research space, conducive to the emergence of a research program in line with the issues related to its creation.
Experience you would like to gain:
From the network, we seek to gain deeper insights into best practices for forest conservation and management across diverse ecological contexts. We aim to foster collaboration with experts, share data and research, and enhance our capacity to monitor and protect integral reserves effectively. Ultimately, this experience will strengthen our conservation impact and innovation.
Country
France
Start year
2021
Size (ha)
3087
Area type
Temperate deciduous forest
Natural process
Natural grazing
Flagship species
Black stork, Red deer, Roe deer
OLIVIER PELLERIN
David Meier
Soline Bouveaux
Lucie Dietz
Jonathan Lenglet
The Arc-Châteauvillain integral forest reserve was created in December 2021, two years after the creation of the National Forest Park. Its objective is to be “a space dedicated to the aging and free expression of the natural evolutionary processes of a forest, with a view to restoring naturalness, serving as an ecological reference, and promoting discovery and scientific research”.
This project has the ambition to create a cohesive environment based on the preservation of the natural processes and the evolution of the autonomous forest ecosystems to ensure biodiversity and the sustainability of forests. The Reserve Forestiere d’Arc-Châteauvillain, with a non-intervention approach, represents an essential part of its disposition, contributing to the realization of the conservation and scientific research objectives.
Country
France
Start year
2021
Size (ha)
3087
Area type
Temperate deciduous forest
Natural process
Natural grazing
Flagship species
Black stork, Red deer, Roe deer
Specification
Project:
Arc-Châteauvillain Integral Forest Reserve
Region:
Haute-Marne and Côte-d'Or, France
Description
Type of project:
Creating space for wilder nature
Aim and vision:
Its objective is to establish “a space dedicated to spontaneous forest dynamics, aimed at restoring naturalness, serving as an ecological reference, and supporting discovery and scientific research.” The forest is no longer subject to silvicultural interventions (no logging or work except for safety measures along circulation routes) and is left to evolve freely.
The establishment of this area aims, on the one hand, to protect forests and restore the natural processes and dynamics of the forest ecosystem, thereby promoting and preserving biodiversity—particularly species dependent on mature and senescent stages and deadwood, which often represent a missing “link” in managed forests where trees are harvested well before senescence. On the other hand, it improves understanding of how forest ecosystems left to free evolution function within specific ecological and geographical contexts.
Other activities:
Community involved, Eco tourism, Education, Research
Achievements
Results you aim to accomplish in 10 years from now on:
In 10 years, we aim to have restored resilient forest ecosystems thriving in natural dynamics, with increased biodiversity and stable populations of mature and deadwood-dependent species. We also seek to advance scientific knowledge and community awareness on forest free evolution and conservation.
Results so far:
The creation in 2021 of the Integral Reserve represents the main achievement in favor of the naturalness framework of the National Forest Park. Its management plan was subsequently developed, thus defining the actions to be carried out over the next five years around 4 axes (naturalness, knowledge, territorial anchoring and management/governance). At the same time, work with public and private forest managers is underway to set up old wood islands on the scale of the Heart of the National Park, with the objective of having 5% of the surface area of state forests in senescence islands. The definition of these spaces is currently being considered, and is being refined during the revisions of the sustainable management documents.
Exchange
Inspirational value:
Working on the Arc-Châteauvillain integral reserve has deepened our understanding of natural forest dynamics and the critical role of allowing ecosystems to evolve freely. It highlights the importance of preserving mature and deadwood habitats for biodiversity. The initiative inspires by combining rigorous science with innovative approaches, fostering lasting ecological and societal benefits.
Experience you would like to share:
The integration of the National Forest Park and its Integral Reserve into international networks will strengthen its attractiveness, by consolidating its reputation. This approach will support its scientific vocation and position it as a privileged research space, conducive to the emergence of a research program in line with the issues related to its creation.
Experience you would like to gain:
From the network, we seek to gain deeper insights into best practices for forest conservation and management across diverse ecological contexts. We aim to foster collaboration with experts, share data and research, and enhance our capacity to monitor and protect integral reserves effectively. Ultimately, this experience will strengthen our conservation impact and innovation.