Northwest France Research Articles

Ecology and phytosociology of endangered psammophytic species of the Omphalodes genus in western Europe

Omphalodes kuzinskyanae Willk. is an endangered annual plant of the family Boraginaceae, endemic to a narrow coastal area in the Lisbon region (Portugal). Omphalodes littoralis Lehm. occurs in northwest Spain (subsp. gallaecica) and northwest France (subsp. littoralis). Three approaches were used to assess the ecological requirements of O. kuzinskyanae: (1) physical and chemical characterization of their habitat soil; (2) phytosociological analysis; (3) comparison of several life history parameters under different light conditions. Germination experiments were conducted to evaluate seed dormancy. The results show that O. kuzinskyanae occurs in thin sandy soil with a substantial amount of organic matter and clay, mostly over limestone pavements. Phytosociological analysis shows that O. kuzinskyanae occurs both in sciophytic and heliophytic communities. Life history comparisons demonstrated that this plant has a strong preference for sciophytic conditions: under strong shade, plants have a higher survival rate, attain a greater height and width, and produce approximately nine times more seeds than in sunny conditions. In contrast with O. kuzinskyanae, published data on O. littoralis indicate that this species occurs in heliophytic conditions. This group of Omphalodes is possibly limited both in geographical distribution and habitat by its vulnerability to hydric stress. Scenarios are discussed that can explain the extensive gap separating the present ranges of the two species and their ecological differences. We propose two new syntaxa: Linario arenariae-Omphalodetum littoralis, Geranio purpurei-Galietum minutuli omphalodetosum kuzinskyanae.

Woodland bird response to landscape connectivity in an agriculture-dominated landscape: a functional community approach

Over the last 30 years, ecological networks have been deployed to reduce global biodiversity loss by enhancing landscape connectivity. Bird species dwelling in woodland habitats that are embedded in agriculture-dominated landscapes are expected to be particularly sensitive to the loss of connectivity. This study aimed to determine the role of landscape connectivity in woodland bird species richness, abundance, and community similarity in north-east Brittany (north-west France). An exhaustive woodland selection protocol was carried out to minimize the effects of woodland size on the response variables. Connectivity of the woodland and forest network in the study area was evaluated using graph-theory, accounting for matrix permeability, and a characteristic median natal dispersal distance at the community level based on the bird species pool recorded in the sampled woodlands. Information-theoretic model selection, controlling for woodland size in all the cases, depicted the response of woodland birds at the community level to the connectivity of agriculture-dominated landscapes. On average, the sampled woodlands (n = 25) contained 15.5 ± 2.4 bird species, with an abundance of 25.1 ± 3.9, and had highly similar bird communities (species composition and proportion); eight species represented 57% of total abundance and were present in at least 22 woodlands. The performance of models improved when using effective, rather than Euclidean, interpatch distances in the connectivity assessment. Landscape connectivity was only significantly related to similarity of proportional species composition. Large woodlands contained communities with more similar species proportions in an inhospitable agricultural landscape matrix than in a more permeable one. Woodland size was the most relevant factor determining species abundance, indicating that the bird population sizes are primarily proportional to the local habitat availability. Connectivity in relation to landscape matrix permeability did not seem to induce the flow of woodland-dependent bird species that are dominant in the community but rather of matrix-dwelling bird species that are less dependent on woodland patch area. In conclusion, both habitat conservation and restoration (i.e., amount and quality), in combination with permeable landscape structures (such as heterogeneous land cover mosaics), are advocated for community level conservation strategies.

Derived Skolithos pipe rock in the Budleigh Salterton Pebble Beds (Early Triassic, East Devon, UK)

Quartzite clasts preserving a Skolithos burrow ichnofabric are described from the Early Triassic fluvial Budleigh Salterton Pebble Beds at Budleigh Salterton, East Devon, south-west England. Representing typical Skolithos pipe rock, the clasts are provenanced with a high degree of confidence to the Ordovician of the Armorican Massif, north-west France. The tubiform biogenic structure Trachyderma serrata Salter, earlier described and documented from quartzite clasts at Budleigh Salterton and in the English Midlands, represents an atypical preservational mode of the ichnogenus Skolithos.

The potential capacity of French wildlife rescue centres for wild bird disease surveillance

Multiple schemes for wildlife disease surveillance have been in operation in France for decades and data on wild bird carcasses presented to the national SAGIR network have been recorded since the 1980s. Over the same period, wildlife rescue centres (WRCs) have admitted thousands of birds each year. However, the reasons for casualty submission have been poorly explored to date. To assess the potential capacity of WRCs to monitor infectious and non-infectious diseases of wild birds in addition to SAGIR, we used Fringillidae and Passeridae data from January 2004 to April 2013 from SAGIR and the WRC of Nantes (CVFSE/Oniris) which is in operation in North-West France. Firstly, the Centre Veterinaire de la Faune Sauvage et des Ecosystemes des Pays de la Loire (CVFSE) contributed more than 30 % of all the birds submitted and was complementary to the SAGIR network in terms of species, age of the birds collected, location and date found. Secondly, the CVFSE was able to detect the emergent finch trichomonosis, in addition to the SAGIR network. Some causes of passerine submission were detected by one or other of the two schemes leading to their complementarity in overviewing Fringillidae and Passeridae infectious and non-infectious diseases in France. In order to improve the efficiency of its wild bird disease monitoring and to participate in an effective national and/or European surveillance network, the CVFSE, as for other WRCs, must enhance its diagnostic capabilities, in particular post-mortem examinations and laboratory testing.

Using integrated land- and boat-based surveys to inform conservation of the Critically Endangered Balearic shearwater

We investigated spatio-temporal distribution patterns of the Critically Endangered Balearic shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus in the northern part of its migratory range, using a combination of effort-corrected land- and boat-based survey data (2007−2010). The species was recorded regularly along the western English Channel (Western Channel) coasts of northwest France and the southwest UK, with peak counts occurring during the summer and autumn months. Foraging aggregations comprising hundreds to thousands of birds (~1 to 20% of the global population) were recorded in the large shallow embayments of northern Brittany in all sur- vey years. Elsewhere, most birds were recorded on passage, with maximum birds-per-hour (BPH) of 169 off northwest France and 36 off the southwest UK. Few birds were recorded offshore, beyond sight of land. A distance-from-shore analysis revealed that the species passed closer to shore than other pelagic seabirds such as sooty shearwater Puffinus griseus. A constant-effort sea- sonal survey from the southwest tip of the UK mainland recorded the species on 93% of survey days, with BPH rates peaking in the morning between 08:00 and 11:00 h. These results have important monitoring and conservation implications for this Critically Endangered species. In par- ticular, the records of large aggregations in spatially restricted areas of the Western Channel dur- ing the inter-breeding period suggests the species could be vulnerable to impacts such as oil spills, or disturbance from offshore construction projects. We also provide evidence that some birds remain in the survey area during the breeding season, suggesting it may be an important site for non-breeding birds.

Is low-input management system a good selection environment to screen winter wheat genotypes adapted to organic farming?

The move toward resilient and productive agriculture requires, among other innovations, the design of new sustainable farming systems in which the variety plays a main role. Plant breeding strategies adapted to organic farming conditions have to deal with limiting factors. Whereas in north-west France, it is known that trials carried out under high-input management do not give a good prediction of genotype performance in organic conditions, less is known about the relative stability of wheat genotypes between low-input (LI) and organic cropping systems. A retrospective analysis of 34 winter wheat trials conducted from 2004 to 2011 was performed to determine whether data obtained on genotypes grown under LI conditions can be used to predict genotype performance in organic (ORG) target conditions. Every year, ORG and LI (no fungicide or growth regulators, N balance sheet-60 kgN/ha, weed control with herbicides) trials including 25–30 genotypes describing a large range of genetic diversity were sown in three different agro-climatic regions across north-west France. Genotype performance in ORG management system was reduced from 25 to 40 % for yield and from 10 to 22 % for grain protein content. Estimates of genotypic values appeared to be more precise under LI than ORG conditions. Because of high genetic correlations between LI and ORG conditions, the relative efficiency of indirect selection from LI to ORG conditions was approximately 1. Spearman’s rank correlations were high (Rs = 0.54–0.92) and genotype rank inversions generally had a minor extent. However, in 2005 and 2010, almost 50 % of the lines had to be retained in LI to keep 80 % of the top 20 % of genotypes in organic conditions. Compared with previous results from high-input conditions, LI management provided a better prediction of genotype performance under ORG conditions but crossover genotype × management interactions could be observed between both systems. Overall, combining information provided from both LI and ORG crop management systems appears to be a good process for building efficient and adapted breeding schemes for ORG farming conditions.

A Geographical-Based Multi-Criteria Approach for Marine Energy Farm Planning

The objective of this paper is to devise a strategy for developing a flexible tool to efficiently install a marine energy farm in a suitable area. The current methodology is applied to marine tidal current, although it can be extended to other energy contexts with some adaptations. We introduce a three-step approach that searches for marine farm sites and technological solutions. The methodology applied is based on a combination of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), multi-criteria analysis (MCA) and an optimization algorithm. The integration of GIS and MCA is at the core of the search process for the best-suited marine areas, taking into account geographical constraints, such as human activity, pressure on the environment and technological opportunities. The optimization step of the approach evaluates the most appropriate technologies and farm configurations in order to maximize the quantity of energy produced while minimizing the cost of the farm. Three main criteria are applied to finally characterize a location for a marine energy farm: the global cost of the project, the quantity of energy produced and social acceptance. The social acceptance criterion is evaluated by the MCA method, Electre III, while the optimization of the energy cost is approximated by a genetic algorithm. The whole approach is illustrated by a case study applied to a maritime area in North-West France.

Airborne and ground-based data sources for characterizing the morpho-structure of a coastal landslide

Landslide analysis is increasingly based on the combination of multiple information sources at different spatial and temporal resolutions, spatial coverage, accuracy and acquired using various airborne and terrestrial platforms and geomorphological, geophysical, and geotechnical methods. Morphological mapping and morpho-structure characterization are preliminary steps to analyze the observed and future landslide distributions. The objective of this work is to propose a morpho-structural model of an active landslide complex on the Normandy coast (north-west France) by combining different data sources. The methodology associates field investigation with interpretation of high-resolution topographic and geophysical images. The proposed morpho-structural model highlights the division of the landslide into several morphological features. This division may explain the spatial variability and temporal variability of the slope dynamics.

Influence of environmental policies on farmland prices in the Bretagne region of France

[Paper in French] The Bretagne region is an agricultural area located in the north-west of France. In addition to urban pressure, the competition for farmland is enhanced by strong environmental regulations and incentives. The objective of this paper is to study the determinants of farmland prices and especially the effects of environmental regulations to explain the spatial disparities observed in Bretagne. This paper mainly focuses on environmental policies which are intended to reduce the agricultural pollution of water with nitrates. Several environmental regulations have been implemented in the Bretagne region, which resulted in a complex zoning system with specific measures. To account for this local characteristic, we use the hedonic pricing model and take into account the potential spatial dependencies between farmland prices. For empirical application, we use a dataset of individual transactions in Bretagne from 2007 to 2010. The estimation results show an increase or a decrease in farmland prices in environmentally sensitive areas depending on the types of regulations applied in these areas. The results also emphasize the importance of spatial interaction in the farmland market.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus in blood donors in Greece

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection, apart from its occurrence in endemic countries, has also drawn attention the past years in industrialized countries. Sporadic cases of HEV in developed countries are linked to a history of travel in endemic regions or to consumption of undercooked pork and wild boar/deer products. Recent studies among healthy blood donors from European countries have reported rates of HEV seroprevalence ranging from 2 6% to 20 6%. In the literature, there are documented cases of transfusion-transmitted hepatitis E infection and the recipient’s predisposition, and immune status determines the clinical outcome [1]. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HEV among blood donors in Greece, which is unknown. We analysed blood donor samples collected in the ‘Aretaieion’ Hospital’s Blood Bank, in Athens for the presence of anti-HEV IgG antibodies, using the HEV IgG Kit (EIAgen; Adaltis Inc, Milan, Italy). The study was approved by the hospital’s ethic committee. We tested 265 blood donors, with a mean age of 39 6 years (range 19–61), 216 men and 49 women. Anti-HEV IgG was found in 25 of 265 individuals (9 43%). The seroprevalence was 10 65% (23/216) in men and 4 08% (2/49) in women. The presence of anti-HEV IgG did not differ by age or gender (P > 0 05). All positive donors resided in urban areas, and none reported an occupation related to swineherds handling. Also, none of them had a recent history (past year) of travel in endemic areas, but the possibility that they had travelled outside Greece a long time ago and been exposed to HEV could not be excluded. All positive donors underwent a testing for ALT, AST and bilirubin, and 6/23 donors had abnormal AST values, thus a recent asymptomatic infection could not be excluded. This preliminary study shows that HEV seroprevalence among blood donors in Greece is similar to the one reported from UK (10%) [2], lower to that reported in Northwest France [3], but higher to the one reported from Scottish blood donors recently (5%) [4]. This could be explained either by differences in the sensitivity/specificity of commercial tests used for HEV detection and/or the selection of samples from an urban blood bank [5]. Moreover, practices in meat handling and preparation (well cooked vs. undercooked) vary among countries and this may have contributed to the different seroprevalence rates. Nevertheless, our results demonstrate that HEV circulates in the urban population of Greece. Data regarding HEV prevalence in Greek livestock are lacking and merit exploration. Further studies are necessary to define the clinical and epidemiologic importance of HEV infection in Greece, to identify sources and routes of transmission and assess the possible risk of transfusion-transmitted HEV by assessing HEV-RNA in sero-positive blood donors.

The use of DNA barcoding to monitor the marine mammal biodiversity along the French Atlantic coast

In the last ten years, 14 species of cetaceans and five species of pinnipeds stranded along the Atlantic coast of Brittany in the North West of France. All species included, an average of 150 animals strand each year in this area. Based on reports from the stranding network operating along this coast, the most common stranding events comprise six cetacean species (Delphinus delphis, Tursiops truncatus, Stenella coeruleoalba, Globicephala melas, Grampus griseus, Phocoena phocoena)and one pinniped species (Halichoerus grypus). Rare stranding events include deep-diving or exotic species, such as arctic seals. In this study, our aim was to determine the potential contribution of DNA barcoding to the monitoring of marine mammal biodiversity as performed by the stranding network.We sequenced more than 500 bp of the 5’ end of the mitochondrial COI gene of 89 animals of 15 different species (12 cetaceans, and three pinnipeds). Except for members of the Delphininae, all species were unambiguously discriminated on the basis of their COI sequences. We then applied DNA barcoding to identify some “undetermined” samples. With again the exception of the Delphininae, this was successful using the BOLD identification engine. For samples of the Delphininae, we sequenced a portion of the mitochondrial control region (MCR), and using a non-metric multidimentional scaling plot and posterior probability calculations we were able to determine putatively each species. We then showed, in the case of the harbour porpoise, that COI polymorphisms, although being lower than MCR ones, could also be used to assess intraspecific variability. All these results show that the use of DNA barcoding in conjunction with a stranding network could clearly increase the accuracy of the monitoring of marine mammal biodiversity.

Investigating the respective impacts of groundwater exploitation and climate change on wetland extension over 150 years

Summary Peatlands are complex ecosystems driven by many physical, chemical, and biological processes. Peat soils have a significant impact on water quality, ecosystem productivity and greenhouse gas emissions. However, the extent of peatlands is decreasing across the world, mainly because of anthropogenic activities such as drainage for agriculture or groundwater abstractions in underlying aquifers. Potential changes in precipitation and temperature in the future are likely to apply additional pressure to wetland. In this context, a methodology for assessing and comparing the respective impacts of groundwater abstraction and climate change on a groundwater-fed wetland (135 km 2 ) located in Northwest France, is presented. A groundwater model was developed, using flexible boundary conditions to represent surface–subsurface interactions which allowed examination of the extent of the wetland areas. This variable parameter is highly important for land management and is usually not considered in impact studies. The model was coupled with recharge estimation, groundwater abstraction scenarios, and climate change scenarios downscaled from 14 GCMs corresponding to the A1B greenhouse gas (GHG) scenario over the periods 1961–2000 and 2081–2100. Results show that climate change is expected to have an important impact and reduce the surface of wetlands by 5.3–13.6%. In comparison, the impact of groundwater abstraction (100% increase in the expected scenarios) would lead to a maximum decrease of 3.7%. Results also show that the impacts of climate change and groundwater abstraction could be partially mitigated by decreasing or stopping land drainage in specific parts of the area. Water management will require an appropriate compromise which encompasses ecosystem preservation, economic and public domain activities.

Parvilucifera rostrata sp. nov. (Perkinsozoa), a Novel Parasitoid that Infects Planktonic Dinoflagellates

The diversity and ecological roles of protists in marine plankton are still poorly known. In 2011, we made a substantial effort to isolate parasites into cultures during the course of blooms of the toxic microalga Alexandrium minutum (Dinophyceae) in two estuaries (the Penzé and the Rance, Brittany coast, north-west of France). In total, 99 parasitic strains were obtained. Screening of ribosomal internal transcribed spacer regions (including ITS1, 5.8S and ITS2) revealed the existence of two ribotypes. Small subunit and partial large subunit rRNA genes revealed that these two ribotypes belong to different species of the genus Parvilucifera. The first ribotype was tentatively affiliated to the species Parvilucifera infectans, whilst the second represents a new species, Parvilucifera rostrata sp. nov. The new species has several distinct morphological features in the general organization of its zoospore and in the shape and size of processes covering the sporangium. Both Parvilucifera species are generalist parasitoids with similar generation times, and this study thus raises the question of how two parasitoids exploiting similar ecological resources and infection strategies can coexist in the same ecosystem. Taxonomic relationships between Parvilucifera spp. and other closely related marine parasitoids, such as syndinians, are discussed.

Landscapes of Logistics: The Archaeology and Geography of WWII German Military Supply Depots in Central Normandy, North-west France

Earthworks associated with WWII German military supply depots are shown to be well preserved on the modern forest floors of the Forêt domaniale des Andaines in central Normandy, North-west France, and are located within the record of the Seventh Army logistics network developed prior to the D-Day landings in June 1944. Features are typically located alongside forest roads and tracks and collectively amount to a military archaeological landscape that extends for nearly 10 km. Pilot survey of 50 discrete features demonstrates that at least three different storage facilities are evident, with variations in the size and morphology of bunkers that are consistent with the requirements of different types of munitions, fuel, foodstuffs, and vehicles. Numerous bomb craters also record Allied attempts to destroy the facilities. It is concluded that by the standards of WWII archaeology in the North-west European theatre, the Forêt domaniale des Andaines has permitted an exceptional state of preservation for non-hardened military facilities and combat-related damage.

Comparison of RIMPUFF, HYSPLIT, ADMS atmospheric dispersion model outputs, using emergency response procedures, with 85Kr measurements made in the vicinity of nuclear reprocessing plant

The Institut de Radioprotection et de Sureté Nucléaire (IRSN) performed a series of 85Kr air sampling campaigns at mesoscale distances (18–50 km) from the AREVA NC La Hague nuclear reprocessing plant (North West France) between 2007 and 2009. The samples were collected in order to test and optimise a technique to measure low krypton-85 (85Kr) air concentrations and to investigate the performance of three atmospheric dispersion models (RIMPUFF, HYSPLIT, and ADMS),This paper presents the 85Kr air concentrations measured at three sampling locations which varied from 2 to 8000 Bq m−3, along with the 85Kr air concentrations output by the dispersion models. The dispersion models made reasonable estimates of the mean concentrations of 85Kr field measurements during steady wind conditions. In contrast, the models failed to accurately predict peaks in 85Kr air concentration during periods of rapid and large changes in wind speed and/or wind direction. At distances where we made the comparisons (18–50 km), in all cases, the models underestimated the air concentration activities.

Comment les anesthésistes-réanimateurs français apprennent-ils leur spécialité ? Une enquête de ressenti auprès des internes de l’inter-région Nord

Study designOpinion survey. ObjectivesTo know the level of satisfaction and the expectations of the residents in anesthesiology in the Northwest of France. Materials and methodsA standardized questionnaire assessing the theoretical and practical training was mailed to the 4th- and 5th-year anesthesiology residents (DESAR 4 and 5) in the Northwest of France over a 6-month period. Four items were studied: the profile of responders, the approval of theoretical and practical teaching, and the improvement propositions. ResultsThe response rate was 61%. A change in speciality has never been looked for by 95% of residents. The training was considered as good or very good in 90% of cases. The elements of theoretical teaching are variably considered according to their merits. Practical training gave entire satisfaction whatever its type and place. Additional specific training in regional anesthesia, difficult intubation and echocardiography is required. Most DESAR would be interested in obtaining a post-internship job or a stage in private hospitals. DiscussionTeaching generally meets the expectations of students. These regional data are similar with the results of French national surveys. They highlight the good quality of training but suggest it could be further improved. ConclusionThe homogeneity of teaching, based on the objectives proposed by the French College of Anesthesiologists, and the dynamism of the French Society of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine ensures the quality of training for future specialists.

Two new species of scalpelliform barnacles (Cirripedia: Thoracica) from the Plio-Pleistocene of Cotentin, northwest France.

Two new species of pedunculate cirripede are described from the Plio-Pleistocene of Cotentin, northwest France. Scalpellum carentanensis sp. nov. is only the third species of this genus to be recorded from Pliocene strata in Europe. It is characterised by a triangular tergum with an apico-basal fold, without an outward extension, the inner surface of which has the raised part marked by wide growth lines, cut by a groove; the scutum has a ridge between the umbo and the tergo-lateral angle, lacks an apico-basal ridge, and possesses a line formed by the convergence of the growth zones; the length of the upper lateral exceeds its width by about 1.25 times, the umbo being situated at one-fifth the length of the plate from the apex. Arcoscalpelluin concavitectum sp. nov. is the second species of this genus on record from the Pliocene of Europe. It possesses a carina with a concave tectum bordered on each side by a smooth rounded rib; the tergum has an apico-basal line formed by the convergence of growth zones; and the upper lateral has the basi-scutal angle more widely truncated than the basi-tergal angle.

Use of multiple markers demonstrates a cryptic western refugium and postglacial colonisation routes of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) in northwest Europe

Glacial and postglacial processes are known to be important determinants of contemporary population structuring for many species. In Europe, refugia in the Italian, Balkan and Iberian peninsulas are believed to be the main sources of species colonising northern Europe after the glacial retreat; however, there is increasing evidence of small, cryptic refugia existing north of these for many cold-tolerant species. This study examined the glacial history of Atlantic salmon in western Europe using two independent classes of molecular markers, microsatellites (nuclear) and mitochondrial DNA variation. Alongside the well-documented refuge in the Iberian Peninsula, evidence for a cryptic refuge in northwest France is also presented. Critically, methods utilised to estimate divergence times between the refugia indicated that salmon in these two regions had diverged a long time before the last glacial maximum; coalescence analysis (as implemented in the program IMa2) estimated divergence times at around 60 000 years before present. Through the examination of haplotype frequencies, previously glaciated areas of northwest Europe, that is, Britain and Ireland, appear to have been colonised from salmon expanding out of both refugia, with the southwest of England being the primary contact zone and exhibiting the highest genetic diversity.

Occurrence of the kuruma prawn Marsupenaeus japonicus (Spence Bate, 1888) in the Celtic Sea, English Channel, and North-West France

The most northern occurrence in European waters of the Japanese or kuruma prawn Marsupenaeus (Penaeus) japonicus Bate, 1888 is reported from the Celtic Sea. Two specimens were captured during the winter and spring of 2007 from depths ~40 to 60m over mobile sediments by trawling. Other northern European records are reviewed.

A new Middle Jurassic (Bajocian) homolodromioid crab from northwest France; the earliest record of the Tanidromitidae

A new homolodromioid, Tanidromites maerteni, the earliest member of the genus and family, is recorded from the lower upper Bajocian (Niortense Zone) of Calvados, northwest France. It is noted that carapace morphologies of other Jurassic brachyuran taxa within the family Prosopidae are closely similar to those of tanidromitids, and that diagnoses of recently erected Jurassic families and genera partially overlap or have conflict among them. Thus, the taxonomy of the earliest brachyuran groups appears to be less stable than currently thought. In recent years, knowledge of primitive extinct brachyurans has greatly benefitted from findings made by ama teur collectors, the present paper included.