France reports accelerating biodiversity decline and new species protections

A new official report from the French Ministry for Ecological Transition indicates that biodiversity in France is degrading at an accelerating rate. Between 2019 and 2024, only 22% of evaluated habitats and species were in a favorable state of conservation, down from 26% during the 2013-2018 period. Currently, 67% of evaluations are unfavorable, with 39% showing a declining trend. Most affected areas include wetlands, aquatic environments, prairies, and certain coastal habitats.

This data arrives as the European Commission awaits national restoration plans from member states following a September 1 deadline. While France has shared its general outlines, it expects to finalize its official plan within two weeks. The European nature restoration law sets ambitious targets to restore 30% of degraded habitats by 2030, 60% by 2040, and 90% by 2050.

In response to specific population declines, the French government has also reinforced the protected status of the western capercaillies (grand tétras) and the rock ptarmigan (lagopède alpin). In the Vosges region, efforts to bolster capercaillie populations through the translocation of individuals from Norway have faced significant challenges, with high mortality rates due to predation, leading to a pause in those specific reintroduction operations.