The Ranquas Natural Reserve
Volunteer Project
Situated on the Séranne Mountain in the Cevennes, the Ranquas Reserve is wild, rugged and scenic,
containing a rich variety of flora and fauna. Set amidst a hunting stronghold, it is vital to protect the native communities and species of plants and animals that live in this unique environment.
Since the Reserve began in 1981, with committed French support, we have persisted in safeguarding a small population of Golden Eagles who make their home in this habitat. There have been numerous successes over the years, as well as several setbacks, including the withdrawal of European subsidies. There continue to be challenges ahead.
 
The Ranquas Reserve covers an area of 193 ha and rises to a height of 550m altitude. Since 1987, we have organised groups and held work-camps here to ensure the continuation of the project. The Reserve serves as a clear ecological model featuring many successful experiments for rebuilding ecosystems over the long term. In the fields of forestation and
agriculture particularly, we hope that our experimental model will be useful to other Ecologists. We also hope to be able to continue to protect our Golden Eagle pair from being hunted.
Though it has been declared as a hunting area since 1972, The Ranquas Reserve has been officially recognised by the administration as a protected site since 1987. The reserve is only accessible during guided tours.
The Golden Eagle Protection Zone
The Golden Eagle population is in decline due to the intensive exploitation of the land on which their unique and vital habitats are located. These habitats are becoming increasingly fragmented and destroyed. In this same way, many other animals and plants are successively losing vital resources.
Traditionally a symbol of strength and freedom, the Golden Eagle is today a stark reminder of the fragility of nature and of our environment. Located at the top of the food chain, the Golden Eagle population reacts to any modification disturbing the fragile ecological system. Similarly, other species such as the Lynx and the wolf, are under threat, affected by changes in the ecological system.
Golden Eagles are highly sensitive to human disturbance, particularly during the egg laying and incubation periods. For nesting, they require natural ecosystems located in large, rugged and remote landscapes. Therefore, it is imperative that we protect these wilderness areas. Only by demonstrating the importance of this environmental space for the survival of these species, will we succeed in safeguarding them.
It is truly awe-inspiring to catch sight of a Golden Eagle in its natural environment.
The Ranquas Reserve also has extensive pastures where we keep "black face" sheep, which can live all the year outside. They can survive in up to half a metre of snow and temperatures of -15 degrees. We reintroduced rabbits, created ponds and arranged three parks to safeguard a particular species of a rare orchid, the "Orchidées punaise"
The Chequer Tree Protection Zone
The Chequer Tree, which is also known as the Wild Service Tree, was once prevalent in this area, but has now become quite rare. It is a deciduous tree normally found scattered in oak-ash woods on clay and limestone. In Autumn it displays an array of intensely red leaves.
The Chequer Tree does not germinate easily, grows very slowly and was often used for charcoal-making in the past. This is the reason why there are so few of these beautiful trees left.
Through careful management, the forest of Chequer Trees on the Ranquas Reserve is slowly being regenerated. By distributing our own seeds, we are creating a forest of Chequer, Lime and Yew trees. We have developed a special method to aid the survival of these trees. By making an incision around the bark of some trees that are too close to each other, we let these few die slowly while the remaining 40% live to be even stronger and to grow even better.
There is a high risk of fires, particularly during the summer. To guard against this fire hazard, we have wide paths criss-crossing the Reserve, that our horse keeps grazed. We are also cultivating two rare plants, the lily martagon and larkspur (Delphinium fissum, which is found at only two places in Western Europe).
Funding
This Ranquas Reserve Project is primarily dependent on financial gifts and sponsorships, without which we would not be able to continue. These gifts are vital in order to help us continue to protect this wild and beautiful place. As a direct result of these gifts, used exclusively to purchase materials and maintain our equipment, we are able to fulfil our responsibility to preserve and protect the rare animals and plant species contained in this area.
If you wish to take part in our project, please contact us:
The Ranquas Natural Reserve Voluntary Project
HORIZONS Séranne
34380 Saint Jean de Buèges
Tel: 04 67 73 11 19 / Fax: 04
67 73 10 84
E-Mail: ranquas@seranne.org
  
We welcome volunteers all year round, to take part in maintenance work on Ranquas.
WEBSITE: Philipp Küchler | TEXT: Christian Petty
- Horizons Séranne | PHOTOS: © Vincent Decorde (Aigle), Philipp Küchler
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