Biodiversity Observatory - OBLA

The Loire and its Tributaries Biodiversity Observation Network (OBLA), coordinated by Sabine Greulich (UMR François Rabelais University – CNRS 7324 CITERES), covers the habitats of the Loire's floodplains and its main tributaries, as well as headwater wetlands. Observation is currently focused on the floodplains of the Loire, Allier, and Vienne rivers. The OBLA network aims to complement other existing or developing observatory networks, addressing aspects not covered by other initiatives.

Its peculiarity lies:

In its spatial scale (the Loire watershed).
II. in the simultaneous monitoring of the distribution of organisms and major environmental factors of the biotope.
III. in the simultaneous consideration of several taxonomic groups.

These groups are:

– Phytoplankton
– The zooplankton
– Rooted vegetation (vascular flora, bryophytes, Characeae)
– Terrestrial arthropods (arachnids and carabid beetles)
– Aquatic macroinvertebrates
– The fish
– The birds
– amphibians
– Mammals

The Database BD OBLA its aim is to record data relating to the habitats and biodiversity of the Loire floodplain and its tributaries (major and minor riverbeds). It includes data on fauna, flora, and habitats, as well as environmental data likely to influence the dynamics of organisms and habitats.