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Nantes presents its Metropolitan Biodiversity Atlas while hosting national symposium
Nantes hosted a national biodiversity symposium in mid-November and used the opportunity to present its Metropolitan Biodiversity Atlas.
City administration headed by Mayor of Nantes Johanna Rolland organised the event in cooperation with the French environmental association of mayors Les Eco Maires with the support of the French Office for Biodiversity.
Nantes pointed out that these atlases are essential tools for understanding biodiversity issues, raising awareness about them on large scale and taking action.
City authorities compiled the atlas in the period between 2018 and 2022. It lists in detail the biodiversity in 24 municipalities of the metropolitan area.
Nantes is on the intersection of several bio-climatic regions and has many wetlands, watercourses, meadows and wooded areas which play an important role in local biodiversity.
The city warned that, due to human activity and climate change, many species are in decline, with between 30% and 50% of local flora and fauna facing extinction in the region.
Nantes stressed that the atlas will improve understanding of biodiversity issues, make it easier to share information and take the issues into account when developing parts of the city.
The atlas has more than 180,000 data points and lists more than 4,000 plant and animal species.
It also lists preservation issues for most emblematic species.
(Photo credit: Claire Boltonii)
