Monceaux-sur-Dordogne forest

This hilly forest is about twenty hectares and is located on the edge of Dordogne in southwest France. The forest is over 100 years old and grew on land previously populated by vines. Phylloxera, an insect pest that infects commercial grape vines, decimated the vines back in the 1850s. The winegrowers did not replant vines there, so they planted trees to produce firewood.
The oldest trees in the Monceaux-sur-Dordogne forest are between 30 and 50 years old. The main tree species are beech, oak and chestnut.
A stream runs 630 meters long at the area's southern end, where salmon and trout breed. The forest grows in the typical soils of limestone plateaus and benefits from heavy rainfalls. The area receives more than 1300 mm of rain yearly.
We aim to let the forest grow and evolve on its own, for it to become a haven of biodiversity with as little human intervention as possible. We want to use this forest to raise public awareness about forestry. Both young and elderly individuals with be able to participate in the creation of habitats for birds and bats and follow the biodiversity's evolution in a fun and interactive way whilst learning more about sustainable forests and why they are necessary.

As the forest is to remain untouched, we do not have any forestry action there.

The Permanent Center for Environmental Initiatives (CPIE) in Corrèze is studying the populations of saproxylic beetles and wild bees in the Monceaux-sur-Dordogne forest for us to assess the ecological value of the woodlands and to propose possible actions we can take to enrich the presence of these insects. The presence of a particular stag beetle is an indicator of rich biodiversity in the forest. The first results of these studies are encouraging, but they are to be finalised by the end of 2025.
We also want to create an inventory of the birds in the forest and assist the forest in becoming a bird refuge approved by 'Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux' (LPO), the local association for the protection of birds. The criteria for such a refuge are:

Protect and promote nature by excluding hunting and fishing in the area.

Create the right conditions for the living organisms in the soil, wild fauna, and flora.

Protect the refuge from all types of pollution.

Reduce its environmental impact.