Six new issue notes to better understand the biodiversity of the Park

As part of its biodiversity mission, the Périgord-Limousin Regional Natural Park is publishing six "issue briefs" focusing on butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies, mollusks, forest birds, and grassland birds. Prepared by local technical partners, these documents will inform the future "biodiversity strategy" for the region, which is currently being developed.

State of knowledge

The Park's future biodiversity strategy , a local adaptation of national and regional strategies, aims to better understand, preserve, and enhance the area's natural heritage. It includes, in part, an assessment of existing knowledge on species and habitats of importance in the Périgord-Limousin region. This data is essential for collectively defining the objectives of a shared strategy to promote local biodiversity.

It is with this in mind that the Park has, in recent years, approached several specialized naturalist organizations to synthesize the current state of knowledge on groups of species that are poorly documented or particularly sensitive to territorial changes. With a territory spanning over 1800 km² and contrasting landscapes, the Park is home to very different species assemblages from one area to another, which need to be documented.

Whether focusing on insects, birds, or mollusks, each issue report provides an overview of current knowledge, identifies species and areas of concern , and proposes courses of action to improve knowledge, protect habitats, and raise awareness among local stakeholders. Conducted between 2015 and 2026, this work draws on regional natural history databases and extensive fieldwork.

Mobilization of technical partners

The syntheses produced are the result of a long-standing partnership with associations and naturalist research offices in the territory : the Entomological Society of Limousin (SEL) and the Conservatory of Natural Spaces of Nouvelle-Aquitaine (CEN Nouvelle-Aquitaine) for butterflies and dragonflies; the Limousin Society for the Study of Molluscs (SLEM) and Limousin Nature Environment (LNE) for molluscs, gastropods and bivalves*; the League for the Protection of Birds (LPO) and the Society for the Study and Protection of Birds in Limousin (SEPOL) for forest and grassland birds.

Their work highlights the richness and diversity of the Park's habitats: calcareous grasslands, wet meadows, watercourses, and wooded areas. Among the emblematic species identified are the Freshwater Pearl Mussel on the Dronne and Bandiat rivers, the Marsh Fritillary butterfly on the grasslands and meadows, and forest birds of prey and birds of meadow and hedgerow habitats , which are particularly threatened by habitat loss. The various issue reports also reveal gaps in knowledge that remain concerning certain sectors or groups of species. All of this information contributed to the discussions held during the development of the biodiversity strategy. The workshops conducted in 2025-2026 with technical partners enabled the collective definition of the objectives of this document. This collaborative approach will continue in the coming months with the joint development of an Action Plan , which should enable the achievement of the identified priority issues and objectives.

The issue notes published by the Regional Natural Park are not solely intended to support the work of specialists. They are now available to all local stakeholders and thus constitute a valuable tool for those developing or operating projects, ensuring that biodiversity is properly taken into account on the sites targeted by such projects.