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Site Name:
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RIF-LOIRE (Riparian Forest along the Loire River at the vicinity of Orleans)
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Correspondant:
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Country:
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France
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Longitude:
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001°48' E
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Latitude:
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47°52' N
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Elevation:
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85m
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Total Area:
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96ha
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Ecosystem:
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riparian
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Tree Species:
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Acer, Alnus, Castanea, Corylus, Crataegus, Fraxinus, Populus, Prunus, Quercus, Salix, Tilia, Ulmus
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Land Ownership:
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public
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Protection:
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includes Nature Reserve, gene conservation unit (P. nigra)
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Relation to:
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UNESCO World Heritage
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Long Term Perspective
Local manager (Michel Chantereau) is collaborating with M. Villar (INRA) since spring 2003, with common students on conservation of genetic ressources of Populus nigra (activities : floral and seed phenology, seed germination and growth in situ of seedlings of Populus nigra). Two regional and national projects have been funded linking INRA and NO. This National Reserve is the site of educational and public visits (25 days in 2005).
Scientific Value
Zone 1: linear row of disseminated adult trees of isolated Populus nigra and Salix alba
Zone 2: one dense mature riparian forest, near intensively managed orchards
Zone 3: Large island of Mareau with very dense cohorts of 8-10 years old populations of P. nigra
Zone 4: Smaller island of St Ay with very dense cohorts of 8-10 years old young populations of P. nigra and young seedlings of P. nigra and Salix alba. Mature stand of 500 Populus nigra (30-50 years old) linked with other forest tree species.
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Loire ISS Proposal