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Génétique Quantitative et Évolution - Le Moulon

Ecological continuities on the Saclay Plateau

Ecological continuities on the Saclay Plateau

The section of the Line 18 of the Grand Paris Express between Saclay and Châteaufort threatens the plateau’s ecological functions and continuity

Under the direction of Paul Leadley, IDEEV scientists and four master BEE students have completed an assessment of the Société du Grand Paris (SGP) study on the ecological impacts of Line 18. The assessment concerns the section of Line 18 on the ground between Saclay and Châteaufort. The report can be found here.

Agricultural landscapes are important as a habitat and for movement of numerous species. The impact on many species that uses these habitats in the vicinity of the future Line 18 are either absent from SGP impact study, or poorly taken into account. In addition, the impact study underestimates the negative effects of Line 18 on ecological continuities at a territorial scale, especially when interactions with existing obstacles and recent constructions on the southern edges of the Saclay plateau are taken into account. The report recommends that Line 18 be covered over a substiancially longer section than planned by the SGP. It also makes recommendations for improvements to the proposed wildlife crossings.