Vigie-Nature is a participatory science program begun in 1989 that puts in place and organises national standardised monitoring of animal species and common vegetation (birds, butterflies, bats, snails, pollinator insects, dragonflies, and wild flora) according to the protocols for both simple and rigorous data collection, geared towards volunteer observers.
To find out more, participate in the observatories: http://vigienature.mnhn.fr/
Questions? Write to vigie-nature@mnhn.fr
The participants in the Vigie-Nature Observatories can be beginning or advanced naturalists, professional or volunteer, associated naturalist partners or partners from protected area management organisations (regional natural parks, natural area conservatories), or perhaps organisations with different focuses (territorial collectivities, companies).
The Aim of Vigie-Nature
The Vigie-Nature observatories allow for the availability of very large standarised datasets, in order to be usable for research projects, from the scientific tracking of common flora and fauna that has been widely expanded over time and space. This type of tracking allows for more effective analysis of the mechanisms of biodiversity that are at stake in the context of climate change and the changing of landscapes (the artificialisation of lands, the abandonment or intensification of agricultural land, etc.).
In providing scientists with seamless field data throughout all of France, volunteer observers thus participate in the improvement of knowledge on common plant and animal species and their responses to the many changes they face. Vigie-Nature is also a special means of education for the scientific approach and environmental problems. In posing a new look at biodiversity, implemented monitoring, and data, those who contribute to developing new questions and hypotheses likewise shed light on this field of research.
The Vigie-Nature team plays the role of intermediary between the observer network and the research projects that reflect upon the received data.
The Scientific Questions of Vigie-Nature
Ordinary biodiversity represents the major part of biomass of the fauna and flora of our area and ensures essential functions in ecosystems. The evolution of this biodiversity is the subject of several large questions to which the Vigie-Nature observatories try to respond:
- Beyond endangered species – which are the subject of many other studies – what are the dynamics of species and of communities that are widely distributed or still abundant?
- How do species and their communities react to different anthropic pressures (increasing fragmentation of environments, intensification or abandonment of agricultural land, urbanisation, climate change)? Are there rearrangements of communities for particular species or groups of species? What are the life history traits favoured or disfavoured by these changes?
Find the results of Vigie-Nature on the blog
In regards to birds: « Pratique ! Trois ans et demi d'actu sur les oiseaux dans un seul post »
In regards to insects: «Pratique ! Trois ans et demi d’actu sur les pollinisateurs dans un seul post !»
The Vigi-Nature observatories are often aided in the field by local organizations: associations, chambers of agriculture, collectivities, regional natural parks, natural reserves, etc.
Find here Vigie-Nature’s organization chart
Thank you to the participants!