The site of the Marshlands of Vigueirat was certified or labeled for its biological wealth at various levels of recognition :
• Natural Area of Ecological, Wildlife and Flora Interest (ZNIEFF No. 1309Z00) Type I
• Area Importance for the Conservation of Birds in France (ZICO PAC 08),
• Proposal for Site of Community interest (Natura 2000) FR 9301596,
• Special Protection Area (SPA) under the Birds Directive FR 9312001,
• Priority Site of Coastal Conservatory for the designation under the Ramsar Convention (International Convention for the Conservation of Wetlands of International Importance)
• Zone being designation as Natural Reserve.

fauna

- 1265 species of invertebrate including
. 1161 species of insects, amongst them: 41 dragonflies, 30 day butterflies, 638 night butterflies,
. 43 spiders,
. 45 molluscs,
. 12 crustaceans,

- 368 species of vertebrate including
. 28 freshwater fishes,
. 6 amphibians,
. 14 reptiles,

. 286 birds, in which more than 60% of French birds: 83 breeding species whose 9 herons in Europe; 176 wintering species (between 15000 and 35000 wintering ducks, dormitories of more than 1500 orchard herons) ;

Site of International or Community Importance
for 15 breeding species and a feeding zone
for 3 endangered species,

. 34 mammals including 7 bats

Since 2001, the 9 species of herons in Europe breed in the Marshlands of Vigueirat . Among them, the rare bittern has totally adopted the reedbed: 25singer mal s were spotted in 2005 !

flora

The vast floristic diversity is due to the variety of natural wetlands, which are characteristics of the Rhone delta :

641 plant species in which 105 are considered as rare and endangered in the PACA region.

Among these plant species, 64 lichens, 5 protected species at the national level and 18 at regional level.

The rare summer nivéole blooms in April in the flooded undergrowth.

environment

The Marshlands of Vigueirat are a true mosaic of natural wetland habitats, characteristics of the Rhone delta: freshwater marshes in brackish, permanent temporary ponds, scirpaies, Reed bed (250 ha, the largest area of protected reedbeds in the Rhone delta), sansouires, riverine forest, tamarisk wood; rare plants in the PACA region ;

Among these environments, 5 habitats
are the centre of European interest,
whose 1 is ranked priority at the European level.