A multi-season observational study tracking ancient oak-chestnut woodland connectivity, raptor nesting sites, and old-growth forest microhabitats in the gorges of Haute-Dordogne.
Canopée forestière et corridors écologiques le long des versants boisés des gorges de la Dordogne à Liginiac.
Public Domain Biodiversity Research: All membership fees and dues are fully reinvested in the association's public interest missions. This canopy study was carried out by volunteer naturalists in open collaboration with the municipal forestry commission, with zero commercial sponsorship.
Forest Landscape
The Ancient Woodland Corridors of the Dordogne Valley
The steep slopes descending from the Liginiac plateau toward the waters of the Dordogne are blanketed by one of the most continuous forest corridors in central France. Composed predominantly of sessile oak (*Quercus petraea*), sweet chestnut (*Castanea sativa*), and European beech (*Fagus sylvatica*), these deciduous woodlands have persisted for centuries due to the sheer steepness of the terrain, which prevented intensive industrial agriculture or mechanized clear-cutting.
The Association des Amis de la Licorne launched this canopy expedition to document the ecological continuity of these slopes and examine how forest fragmentation affects local avian and insect populations. Our research team paired physical field transects with historical forestry records dating back to the French Forest Code (*Code Forestier*) reforms of the 19th century, preserved in the municipal archives of Liginiac.
Consultation des registres forestiers communaux du XIXe siècle pour retracer l'histoire du couvert boisé de Liginiac.
22 km
Transects Walked
Continuous foot surveys following ridge paths, ravine trails, and ancient logging tracks across the municipality.
42
Centenarian Trees
Ancient veteran oaks and hollow chestnuts cataloged as vital micro-reserves for xylophagous beetles and cavity nesters.
9
Raptor Pairs
Active nesting territories of birds of prey monitored along the cliff ledges and dominant canopy crowns.
In mature, unmanaged forest stands, dead wood and decaying tree cavities are not signs of disease, but rich hubs of biological productivity. Our volunteers conducted visual audits of senescent veteran trees, recording significant populations of specialized saproxylic beetles, including the stag beetle (*Lucanus cervus*) and the rare hermit beetle (*Osmoderma eremita*), both strictly protected under European conservation directives.
Débriefing des équipes d'observation après les relevés de terrain dans les pentes escarpées de la vallée.
Raptor Monitoring & Cliff Nesting
Observations along the rocky promontories overlooking the Marèges reservoir documented successful breeding pairs of the European honey buzzard (*Pernis apivorus*) and the peregrine falcon (*Falco peregrinus*). Maintaining quiet buffer zones around these cliff faces between March and July is critical to preventing nest abandonment.
Lichen & Epiphyte Air Quality Indicators
Surveys of epiphytic lichens growing upon oak bark—particularly *Lobaria pulmonaria* (tree lungwort)—revealed pristine air quality indices across the valley. Because *Lobaria* is acutely sensitive to atmospheric acid deposition, its widespread presence confirms the exceptional ecological health of our Haute-Corrèze woodland air.
Relevé manuel des diamètres à hauteur de poitrine et inventaire des lichens épiphytes sur chênes sessiles.Finalisation de la synthèse cartographique des corridors forestiers consultable à la Bibliothèque de Liginiac.
Civic Recommendations for Sustainable Rural Forestry
Rather than proposing abstract theoretical regulations, our association formulated pragmatic, community-tested stewardship recommendations presented to the Liginiac municipal forestry commission:
Preserving a minimum of five standing dead or hollow trees per forested hectare during selective thinning operations to support woodpeckers and bats.
Maintaining continuous deciduous buffer strips along forest streams to shade cold-water brook trout habitats.
Organizing guided public educational walks along municipal footpaths to teach citizens how to identify centenarian trees without disturbing sensitive understory flora.
Data Availability
Open Consultation at the Municipal Library
The full synthesized log, comprising high-resolution photographic plates, species distribution maps, and historical timber extraction ledgers, is on permanent free display at the municipal library of Liginiac.
Participate in Next Season's Forest Surveys
Do you enjoy woodland hiking, bird identification, or botanical photography? Our volunteer nature observation team invites local residents to take part in our upcoming autumn fungi and old-growth forest mapping expeditions.
