BIOM - Revue scientifique pour la biodiversité du Massif central
BIOM is a continuously published, open access journal whose general objective is to develop knowledge of the biodiversity of the French Massif central and its preservation.
Meadows and pastures of the Mézenc massif: phytosociological characterization and diagnosis of agroecological variables
The Mézenc massif, located in the Massif central, is known for its production of «Fin gras» meat, which is promoted by a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). The permanent mown and grazed meadows of the PDO, habitats of European interest (6520 and 6230*), are still little known because little prospected in this territory. As part of this study, these vegetations were characterized by classification analyses (MTC) in two reference systems of 376 and 225 surveys of the Massif central. The 79 surveys of Mézenc were also analyzed by classification then by ordination (DCA and CCA) to determine the variations present. In addition, the groups highlighted were compared by ANOVA based on the ecological indices of Ellenberg et al., pastoral values, diversity and specific richness. The pastures have shown that they are floristically richer, with a diversity and pastoral values similar to the hay meadows; they therefore contribute to the quality of the meat produced on the AOP air. These pastures correspond to the association of Diantho pseudocollini-Meetum athamantici (Luquet 1926) B.Foucault 1986 mut. Le Hénaff et al. 2021 but higher in altitude than in the monts Dore. They lead us to differentiate a new sub-association specific to Mézenc named bellardiochloetosum variegatae, reflecting its more mountainous character. Four variants have been highlighted: one on granite, one more thermoxerophilic and two others showing a difference in the more or less extensive livestock loading. As for the Mézenc mowings, their floristic and biogeographical originality is highlighted by naming a new plant association of Triseto flavescentis-Polygonion bistortae Braun-Blanq. & Tüxen ex Marschall 1947: Campanulo scheuchzeri-Trisetetum flavescentis. The latter is located on basaltic summit plateaus, higher in altitude and more eastern of the volcanic mountains of Auvergne.
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Note on the presence of Corydalis intermedia (L.) Mérat in the Mézenc massif (Ardèche department)
Corydalis intermedia (L.) Mérat is reported in the Ardèche department (07), in the Mézenc massif. Brief information of a chorological, historical, and ecological nature is provided regarding its presence in the Massif central.
First mention of Lamia textor (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Loire department, Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region
A dead specimen of Lamia textor (Linnaeus, 1758) was discovered in May 2025 in the commune of Saint-Marcellin-Forez in the department of Loire. This is the first record of the species in this department. The context of the observation is given with regard to the known ecology of the species and its interest in the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region.
Ecology, demography and biology of four populations of Mannia fragrans (Balb.) Frye & L.Clark in the upper Allier Valley (Haute-Loire, France) – Conservation implications
The populations of Mannia fragrans (Balb.) Frye & L. Clark in Haute-Loire, particularly at Blassac and Saint-Privat-d’Allier, are among the most demographically robust in Western Europe, with large population sizes and surface cover. This contrasts with marginal populations elsewhere, such as in Spain or Belgium. Unlike most European populations found on calcareous substrates, these occur on siliceous volcanic rocks. M. fragrans occupies transitional habitats between rocky outcrops and dry grasslands, where competition is limited and soil depth is sufficient. Dense bryophyte mats (e.g., Tortella squarrosa (Brid.) Limpr, Rhytidium rugosum (Hedw.) Kindb) and vascular competitors (e.g., Centaurea stoebe L.) restrict its development, particularly at Chilhac. The species thrives under harsh ecological conditions - steep slopes, shallow soils, and high rock cover - which limit plant competition. Its reproductive strategy is adapted to environmental variability, with spores released in spring and germination occurring in late summer, typically in microsites created by disturbances. Sporophyte abortion and rare germination events suggest constraints on sexual reproduction, though vegetative propagation is probably effective. Spatial distribution is patchy, conistent with by microtopographic factors and diaspores’ downslope movement via gravity and water runoff. These mechanisms promote local recolonization and delay succession. Conservation-wise, the Blassac population remains stable despite land abandonment, thanks to natural abiotic filters. Conversely, Chilhac shows signs of succession and competition, indicating a potential need for restored grazing. The spread of invasive Opuntia species, though limited for now, represents a latent threat. Continued monitoring and context-specific management may be required to preserve these rare liverwort habitats.
Plant communities of subalpine seeps in the Cantal mountains
A new plant association, Sagino procumbentis-Pedicularietum verticillatae ass. nov., is described in the Cantal mountains and in volcanic Auvergne (Massif central, France). This is a rhéophilic community of subalpine seeping cliff on volcanic tuffs, which is linked to the class of spring vegetation of Montio fontanae-Cardaminetea amarae Braun-Blanq. et Tüxen ex Klika et Hadač 1944. Vegetation surveys, including bryophytes, are analyzed to compare them to nearby communities already existing in the Cantal mountains, wet cliffs (Micranthetum hieraciifoliae Quézel et Rioux 1954) and peaty seeps (Bartsio alpinae-Caricetum nigrae J. et M.Bartsch 1940) with which the association shows floristic resemblances. It is then compared to other spring communities described in the Massif central and in France. It is characterized by a very specialized biotope, cold, longuely snow-covered, oligotrophic, with a humid Atlantic climate and very clearly neutral to basic, the latter character being remarkable in a context of siliceous volcanic bedrocks. It is an European natural priority habitat type (Natura 2000 code: 7220*). This vegetation is of great biological interest because it acts as a refuge area for numerous subalpine/alpine taxa and is home to several protected or rare species. Its original floristic composition also reflects a high biogeographic significance, as an alpine enclave located in the subalpine level of the Auvergne mountains.
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Discovery of Narcissus assoanus Dufour in the north of the Massif central and in the Auvergne region
Narcissus assoanus Dufour was observed for the first time on the puy de Crouel (Clermont-Ferrand, Puy-de-Dôme). This note discusses the identification, ecology and distribution of this species of mediterranean affinity. The origin of this new station is briefly discussed.
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The Prodrome of French vegetations (PVF) is a project initiated by Jean-Marie Géhu in 1994, which follows on from the first phytosociological synthesis works on a European scale, called "prodromes" by Josias Braun-Blanquet and Rheinhold Tüxen. In 2006, the French Society of Phytosociology (SFP) decided to launch the project of a second version, the PVF2, consisting of the declination of the classes of French vegetations up to the level of the plant association and of its possible subdivisions. The PVF2 is a collective, consensual work and subject to a peer evaluation process within the SFP, prior to submission of each article to a journal. From the beginning, this project was carried out under the aegis of the Ministry of Ecology, in close collaboration with the National Museum of Natural History, national botanical conservatories and the national forestry office. Currently PVF2 has 43 classes already published, from 2009 to 2020, this first step corresponding to a little more than 50% of the work. The publication of this Volume 1 of the Prodrome of French Vegetations 2 allows to have access, in a single work, to the results of the 46 publications produced since 2009. This work provides global and synthetic information, by referring the detailed description of plant associations to published articles. A general ecological key allows to locate all the classes of the Prodrome. Concerning classes which have not yet declined to the level of the plant association, the mention “(PVF1)” appears next to the name of the class. In the digital edition, a link refers to the corresponding synsystem in PVF1. In the case of the 43 classes declined up to the association, the bibliographic reference of the article(s) of the PVF2 concerned is given at the head of the chapter, the digital edition allowing access to these initial articles. The complete list of associations presents in France, accompanied by their file number, which refers to the detailed presentation of the association in the initial article, is given. This work also provides a synonymous index of higher units syntaxa, as well as an index of valid syntaxa, or at least retained as such in the various articles of PVF2. The bibliography at the end of the book brings together the references of the PVF2 classes. The PVF2 represents a valuable reference tool for understanding vegetation at the biogeographic scale of the national territory but also at the more local scale. Generally speaking, the proposed synsystem is part of the prospects for the evolution of phytosociological classification, towards a more coherent system on a structural and dynamic level. It constitutes a typological basis for cartography and fully plays its role in a policy of management and conservation of natural spaces, in particular in the case of the European Union directive “Habitats, Fauna, Flora” of May 21, 1992.
Spiders in the Rocher de la Jaquette national nature reserve (Puy-de-Dôme)
We present here the results of a spider inventory carried out on the national nature reserve of « Rocher de la Jaquette » after an initial study dating from 2004. 5 sampling stations were defined: purgative broom heath, blackthorn scrub, dry lawn, mesophilic meadow and afforestation. To this must be added the study of two scree slopes on which Owen traps placed for a year were used to inventory the fauna of the latter. This inventory made it possible to identify 251 spiders. By adding the taxa not reviewed from the previous inventory, this figure rises to 275 species, making this reserve one of the richest in Auvergne in terms of araneofauna. 11 species are cited for the first time from Auvergne and 5 from the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The synthesis highlights the presence of 5 near-threatened species, 3 very rare species (Xysticus ibex (Thomisidae), Diplocephalus lusiscus (Linyphiidae) and Bolyphantes kolosvaryi (Linyphiidae)) and 24 unseen species. Several of them are northern species that could have suffered the effects of climate change. Characteristic communities were highlighted on the lawns and broom heaths; meadows and blackthorn scrub and finally forests. The study of the screes allowed the identification of at least 8 troglophilous species and 3 associated with the surface of the latter. The complementarity of sampling methods and the benefit of preserving samples from Malaise trap inventory programs are also demonstrated.
Occurrence of Scirpoides holoschoenus (L.) Soják in Haute-Loire, outside the Mediterranean area
Scirpoides holoschoenus (L.) Soják is an abundant and widespread species in the Mediterranean region. However, it remains exceptional in the Auvergne region, where it had not been observed for more than 50 years. An isolated colony was discovered in the upper valley of the Allier, Haute-Loire, on the banks of fluvial alluvium. The ecological context is briefly described. This colony has been established for many years but is currently unable to expand other than by vegetative expansion. In the future, with the increase in average temperatures due to climate change, this species may be able to produce viable seeds, and then begin to form real fertile populations outside the Mediterranean domain.
Contribution to the survey of orophilous tall grass formations (Mulgedio alpini-Aconitetea variegati habitats 6430 and Festucetalia spadiceae) of the French Massif central: analysis of phytosociological data and regional classification.
Using datasets of literature and recent field surveys in poorly prospected areas, 638 records of orophile tall-grass groups in the French Massif central have been submitted to a global analysis. Furthermore, partial analyses have been performed on 572 records of communities ranging from the middle montane to the subalpine levels. The analysed groups include megaphorbia stricto sensu as well as tall grassy formations with Calamagrostis and/or Patzkea paniculata. Based on this review, 17 vegetation associations could be characterized, among which five new ones and 33 sub-units. 5 associations previously described have been refuted and downgraded. The identified associations could be categorized in two phytosociological classes (Mulgedio-Aconitetea and Juncetea trifidi), seven alliances, including one not yet observed in Massif central, and four new sub-alliances. A regional classification was proposed in broad accordance with the EuroVegChecklist. An in-depth study of the ecological variables based on statistical analyses such as ANOVA, DCA and CCA allowed characterizing discriminate ecological variables that explain the distribution of communities and describing their local growing conditions. We are witnessing not only a progressive decrease, but also a disappearance of Calamagrostion communities in the southern Massif central and the Cévennes, due to a rainfall deficit in summer, as a result of an increasing influence of the Mediterranean climate. The abundance and diversity of communities in the large volcanic massifs in the west (Cantal, monts Dore) can be explained by a well-developed subalpine level as well as by an oceanic climate favouring the existence of megaphorbias. Regarding their dynamic, these formations are basically stable and are constitutive of permaseries, although some of them can be found within forest communities. This study could be used in the framework of conservation management policies, at the European level for the habitat 6430.
Discovery of Ophrys tenthredinifera Willd., 1805 in the Haute-Loire department
Ophrys tenthredinifera was observed for the 1st time in the Haute-Loire department. General presentation of the site and discussion of taxonomy.
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A first contribution to our knowledge of the bryophytes and bryocenoses of the middle Loire valley: the case of the Regional Nature Reserve Val de Loire Bourbonnais (Allier)
The bryophytes and bryophytic communities of the middle Loire Valley are poorly understood. An intensive survey, carried out in the Regional Nature Reserve (RNR) Val de Loire Bourbonnais (Allier) provides an initial list of taxa and syntaxa dependent on the alluvial system. The richest environments in terms of flora are pioneer grasslands, exondable muds and forests. The originality of the bryoflora of the RNR is linked to the existence of species linked to grasslands or acidophilous hems (with Weisia sterilis and Ptychostomum touwii), of the base of the trunks of white willows (Porella pinnata, Fissidens fontanus, F. gymnandrus, etc.) or mesotrophic vases (Calliergon cordifolium). These assemblages are not known in the Rhone Valley and testify to the great potential of this ecosystem. The cortical communities of the RNR form a rich phytocenotic toposequence which suggests the great interest of the bryophytic communities of the middle Loire Valley. The most typical and widespread association is Syntrichio latifoliae-Leskeetum polycarpae, which develops mainly on trunks subject to periodic immersion in relatively functional alluvial woodlands (Salicion albae). A local originality is the existence of a Scleropodium cespitans community establishing the transition between the hygrophilous communities of Leskeion polycarpae and the hygroclinophilic communities of Neckerion complanatae. On the other hand, the discovery of the Fissidentetum gymnandri, a subaquatic corticolous association of forested oxbow lakes, should be highlighted. The distribution of Leptodictyo riparii-Hygroamblystegietum varii, a community of white woods (willows) rotting under eutrophic conditions, is extended to the Loire Valley. Suggestions for conservation management measures for lawns and forests are given.
Revision of the xeric grasslands of Auvergne and the Forez plain
The objective of the IHMAGES program is to carry out diachronic analyses by comparing old xeric grassland vegetation relevés with new ones carried out on the same sites. In order to correctly characterize the habitats concerned, we carried out an analysis of 282 relevés belonging to the class Festuco-Brometea Braun-Blanq. & Tüxen ex Klika & Hadač 1944, from the bibliography and from our surveys. The results of this analysis led us to carry out a revision of these lawns because their typology was not easy to understand, many associations being close floristically and synecologically. This was notably the case of Campanulo glomeratae-Phleetum phleoidis Billy ex J.-M.Royer & Ferrez 2020 with Centaureo approximatae-Brachypodietum pinnati Billy ex Thébaud et al. 2014; as well as of Anemono rubrae-Dactylorhizetum sambucinae Dejou & Loiseau ex J.- M.Royer & Ferrez 2020, the Saxifrago granulatae-Helianthemetum nummularii Billy ex Loiseau & Felzines 2010 with the Phleo phleoidis-Festucetum lemanii Billy ex Loiseau & Felzines 2010. The results of this revision lead to the characterisation of 6 vegetation associations, of which one is new, 11 sub-units, of which 2 are new, and 5 changes in status. The hierarchy of the discriminating ecological variables for these vegetations, obtained by DCA and CCA, the description of their synecology, their synchorology and their dynamic characterisation are detailed. The most discriminating ecological factors are the altitudinal gradient and the geological nature of the soil. The diachronic study showed the importance of soil depth in the dynamics of these vegetations, as grasslands on skeletal or very shallow soils are difficult to invade by thickets, contrary to grasslands on deeper soils, which have much faster dynamic. It is therefore essential to identify these grasslands in order to establish a diagnosis adapted to the management of these habitats of European interest (6210).
Discovery of Sphagnum affine Ren. & Card. in the Limousin - origin and originality of the population
Sphagnum affine was first observed on the Millevaches plateau (Corrèze). Its ecology and population are presented here, as well as a comparison with other known populations in France. The origin of this population is briefly discussed.
Vaccinium majuscula (Chassagne) Fridl. in French Massif central and its related Scandinavian Oxycoccus palustris var major Lange.
The south-western limit area distribution of several arctic relict species (cranberries, Betula nana) occurs in the French Massif central. Although especially localised in a few relict bogs, Vaccinium sect. Oxycoccus show an unexpected cytological diversity with diploids (supposedly V. microcarpum) in several localities of the Massif central sometimes growing in mixture with tetraploids (putatively V. oxycoccos). For the first time in France, we identified hexaploid cranberries. These plants correspond to « Oxycoccos quadripetala (Gilib.) var. majuscula » Chassagne a large, highly floriferous pioneer taxa of lacustrian mires. Oxycoccus palustris var major Lange is also a large leaves cranberry but collected in the vicinity of Oslo. Respectively described from Auvergne in 1957 and from Scandinavia in 1883, these two plants have been ignored by all botanists and remained absent from botanical literature, which is why we typify them here. They could correspond to the same species. Then, a new ecological and evolutionary understanding of cranberries is possible. In any case, this underlines the extreme richness and originality of the Auvergne peatlands, which are now home for three species of cranberry among the four known in the world: V. microcarpum and V. oxycoccos (mostly ombrogenous peatland) and, the apoendemic V. majuscula (only in topogenous mire).
Diet of the European otter (Lutra lutra) in the Massif central (Auvergne, France): spatial and seasonal variations between two study sites
In order to evaluate predation strategy and variations during an active population dynamic, diet of European otter (Lutra lutra) was studied during a year-round cycle in two different aquatic systems in Auvergne (France). First were tributaries of Allier River in Haute-Loire and second were marshes, creeks, rivers and ponds in Puy-de-Dôme. Preys were identified and quantified (occurrences, abundances and biomasses) from otter spraints sampling. Diet was mainly consisted by little- and medium-sized fish (74% to 89% of consumed biomass, size generally less than 17.5 cm). Dominant prey in otter’s diet were the most numerous species in studied rivers and marshes, which corresponds to the most efficient predation strategy. Crayfish, amphibians, reptiles and small mammals constituted most of time secondary prey, but sometimes dominated diet. Spatial and temporal differences in prey diversity, abundances and biomasses were recorded. Data illustrating species diversity in rivers and marshes recently recolonized by European otter were not modified by its predation impact. The study of a top-predator diet can therefore be considered as an additional way in habitats studying and biodiversity and management conservation strategies, in natural or anthropogenic alteration contexts.
The Chinese mussel (Sinanodonta woodiana Lea 1834) arrives in the Massif Central
The Chinese mussel (Sinanodonta woodiana Lea 1834) provides its first regional observation in the Massif Central. This exogenous species is potentially invasive.
Fossil and present day diatoms from Issarlès lake (Ardèche, France) : first lessons
This preliminary study focuses on the comparison of the fossil and current diatom communities of Issarlès lake (commune Le Lac-d’Issarlès, Ardèche) and its watershed. The fossil flora is studied in a 1.7 m sediment core (upper part of a 7 m long core), extracted in 2020. The current flora is studied in Issarlès lake and in various points of the watershed of the lake: the stream of the Clède and the stream “Ravin des Charbonneyres”, as well as the Gage and Veyradeyre dams. The evolution observed from the bottom to the top of the sedimentary sequence is marked by the disappearance of the dominant genus, Pantocsekiella, replaced by new species such as Fragilaria crotonensis and Asterionella formosa that are favored by turbulent and nutrient-rich environments. This disruption of the flora is correlated to the influence of the water reservoirs connected to Issarlès lake, the centerpiece of the Montpezat hydroelectric complex commissioned in 1954. An onset of eutrophication (increased nutrients and fermentable organic matter) is observed in the current lake. The study of diatoms in the lake’s, dams and streams suggests a source of eutrophication from the lake’s natural watershed, but also from the extensive and artificialised watershed through the establishment of the hydroelectric complex. The chemical similarity observed between the lake’s water and the dam’s water highlights the potential influence of the dams on the water quality of Issarlès lake. The data from this preliminary study show the impact of the hydroelectric complex on Issarlès lake and point to a potential source of pollution in the watershed of the lake that will be important to consider if management plans are developed. Finally, this study has also enabled a preliminary knowledge of the actual environmental history of Issarlès lake which was up to now poorly studied.
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Vegetations and plant successions in the Devès mountains (Haute-Loire, France): phytosociological and symphytosociological sketch of an unknown volcanic sector
The Devès is a Villafranchian basaltic plateau punctuated by cincler cones and maars, in Haute-Loire, France. Its mean altitude is roughly 1100m and it culminates at the Mont Devès (1417m). As opposed to the fertile lands of the plateau, mounts and cones are characterized by steep, intensely erodes slopes, which are not cultivated but are covered by dense spruce plantations severely impacting local biodiversity. The ecological and phytosociological knowledge concerning this area is sparse, and the local dynamics of vegetations has been barely studied. The present article proposes a first phytosociological and symphytosociological study of this area, based on a series of relevés performed in the field in 2019, which were statistically analysed using a phytosociological referential comprising more than 800 relevés, obtained by queries performed on the database of the UniVegE/Herbiers Universitaires de Clermont-Ferrand. Despite difficulties due to deep anthropogenic impacts on vegetations, this analysis enabled us to clarify the phytosociological identity of the vegetations observed in the field. Among agropastoral vegetations, the main vegetations identified are the Orchido morionis-Saxifragetum granulatae Gaume ex B. Foucault 1989 and the Anemono rubrae-Dactylorhizetum sambucinae Dejou & Loiseau ex Royer & Ferrez 2020 veronicetosum scheereri subass. nov.prov. Forest are mainly represented by the Poo chaixii-Abietetum albae saniculetosum europaeae Le Hénaff & Renaux 2015 and the Diantho monspessulani-Pinetum sylvestris Billy ex Thébaud et al. 2014. Whenever possible, in each site we have performed relevés on vegetations representing the different stages of ecological successions (from grasslands to forests) within ecologically homogeneous sectors. The corresponding relevés could hence be gathered in synrelevés, thereby allowing us to sketch a first analysis of the series of vegetations characterizing the Devès cones. Two main series were identified and characterized. These first results now need being confirmed and strengthened by further studies, including new series of relevés and statistical analyses.
Brackish diatom species observed at the bituminous Poix spring: an island of curiosity
The Poix spring is a geological particularity of the French Massif central as it is known to be bitumen associated with salt water, methane and traces of hydrogen sulphide. Between March 2017 and June 2020, three samples were taken by scraping the diatoms on the layer of bitumen. Moreover, the physical and chemical conditions were examined. It appears that the conductivity of the saline water is higher than the one of the ocean leading to the development of some brackish diatom species observed for some of them on the intertidal sediments or estuaries. Even if the abiotic conditions were extreme for these algae, the biodiversity was high and reveals species with high ability to withstand in high salinity concentrations and fluctuations.
Diptera as a tool for assessing the state of the river corridor - first experiments on rivers in the Massif Central, and comparison with rivers in Brittany and the Pyrenees
Riparian corridors are the most diverse and complex habitats in the world, the site of many processes essential to maintaining water quality and biodiversity. Diptera, the second largest group of insect species in the world, have ecological requirements that can express the complexity of riverine habitats and subsurface water exchanges. Moreover, they are the most abundant and diverse group in our river corridors. They therefore occupy a major role in the food webs of rivers and riparian terrestrial ecosystems. A rapid sampling method of riverine or aquatic Diptera imagos was applied on 11 stations, including 5 in the Massif central, while the quality of their river corridor was characterised using the IBCR index. The relationships between dipteran communities and riparian corridor characteristics were analyzed. For this, I used a traditional taxonomic approach and a functional approach based on the ecological traits of their larvae (feeding and water affinity). 252 dipteran taxa, including seven dipteran species cited for the first time in France, were identified. The climate, the state of conservation and the flow diversity of the streams in the Puy-de-Dôme seem to be particularly favourable for the communities of riverine Diptera. Our results indicate that an older, wider river corridor with river dynamics favoring a complex mosaic of habitats hosts a greater diversity of species and larval feeding modes and water affinities. In addition, the sampling of dipterans gives indications on the carrying capacity of marginal habitats, making it possible to better valorize hydromorphological restorations.
Elements on the malacofauna of the northwest Massif central
The study of mollusks is not a discipline commonly practiced on a large part of the Massif central territory. My personal surveys started half a dozen years ago on a sector covering the basses Combrailles, the Cher valley, the Tronçais country, the western bourbonnais bocage, the Gouzon basin. This note is a synthesis of personnal field observations and gives some notions of abundance and evolution of various species.
Tettigettalna argentata (Olivier 1790) (Hemiptera: Cicadidae), a new cicada for the Allier department.
The first mention of Tettigettalna argentata in the Allier department is reported. A synthesis of the knowledge of the cicadas of the Allier is drawn up. Currently, three species are considered as part of the cicadofauna of this department.
Addition to the vascular flora of Puy-de-Dôme : Erigeron blakei Cabrera (Asteraceae, subtrib. Conyzinae)
Blake’s Fleabane, Erigeron blakei Cabrera, is reported for the first time in the department of Puy-de-Dôme (Auvergne, France), in different places of the metropolis of Clermont-Ferrand.
Cruciata pedemontana (Bell.) Ehrend var. pedmontana new for Cantal
The genus Rubus: a challenge for contemporary botanists
The genus Rubus is in botany a group that has been totally neglected for many decades because of its complexity, of its immense variability linked to its high rate of hybridization and the very small number of national botanists interested in it. The article attempts to provide an overview of the work to be done from 3 test prospecting areas in the north of the Massif central. A local historical approach is discussed in the introduction, then elements of taxonomy and identification are discussed, and finally simple statistical data based on contemporary prospecting are exposed.
Nomenclatural validation of the bryophytic association Gymnomitrio corallioidis- Barbilophozietum sudeticae ass. nov. described from the puy de Dôme in Hugonnot (2020)
The name of the new association described in the article by Hugonnot (2020) is not validly published because the phytosociological nomenclature code in force until 31 December 2020 (ICPN, Weber et al. 2000) did not allow a nomenclatural validation in the form of digital publication (art. 1). As of January 1, 2021, the new code (ICPN, Theurillat et al. 2020) is applicable. It specifies in article 1 the modalities of an effective digital publication. The purpose of this article is therefore to apply these modalities and to validate, according to the new code, the name of the association described in Hugonnot (2020). We refer to the latter article for a more precise description and a more complete bibliography.
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SurVegE-software for monitoring permanent plots
UniVegE, Clermont Auvergne University, conducts research relating to the characterization of natural and anthropized habitats, from plant bio-indicators, for the purpose of management and conservation. Since 2005, this work has been supplemented by research and expertise relating to the diagnosis and monitoring of natural areas on permanent plots and along transects, on behalf of environmental partners: Regional nature parks, Espaces Naturels Sensibles of the departement 63, Clermont-Auvergne metropole ... In this context 51 permanent plots have been set up in natural areas of the Massif central, territories of local authorities and/or protected areas. This experience made it possible to test new monitoring methods to concretely respond to managers’ questions and lead to the development of the SurVegE software. SurVegE (SURvey VEGetation Ecology) is an assistance software for the operator who manages natural areas. It allows, from floristic surveys carried out on bounded and geore­ferenced permanent plots, to characterize the floristic and ecological changes occurring between several years. The data analysis, integrated into the software and based on the values of benchmarks assigned to plant species, directly provides the comparative results quantified and illustrated, in the form of diagrams, figures and tables. We will present here some features of the software, taking as an example concrete cases of studies carried out in the field. The sites selected correspond to different types of habitats and have been the subject of either initial reports or comparative diachronic analyses.
Host sedge (Carex hostiana DC.) and its hybrid Carex ×fulva in Aveyron
This article presents an up to date inventory of the Tawny sedge (Carex hostiana DC.) and its hybrid Carex ×fulva in Aveyron, France. Their synonymy is clarified, and their population’s locations in Aveyron are updated. A few locations are described in detail using phytosociological surveys and pH measurements. Hierarchical identification criteria are proposed based on bibliographical studies and biometric comparisons of both taxa.
Pentatomoidea Hemiptera of the Museum collections Henri-Lecoq Museum of Clermont-Ferrand
The inventory of Pentatomoidea hemipterans in the collections of the Henri-Lecoq museum was carried out in 2019. Six collections of Auvergne naturalists with 210 specimens were inventoried. Five families among the Pentatomoidea are studied. The original data appearing on the labels and identifications of 2019 are presented in order to enhance this historical and naturalist knowledge. The specimens are mainly from Auvergne but concern twelve French metropolitan departments in total. The period covered by the collections is from 1900 to 2005. Some specimens provide useful information on the distribution of species with regard to current knowledge.