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| Biosphere Reserve Information | ||||
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LUBERON |
 © Photo: Thomas Schaaf |
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| General Description |
This biosphere reserve is situated contiguous to the Mont Ventoux Biosphere Reserve to the north. It consists of two mid-altitude mountain chains, the Luberon and the Vaucluse. The long history of human settlement has created a human-modified landscape and a mosaic of habitats and biotopes with a rich biodiversity. The cultural heritage dates from prehistoric times and is also very rich, with numerous classified monuments, ancient towns and ancient villages, houses, manors, fountains and chapels, all blended into the landscape. However, traditional methods of land use that created this landscape have essentially been abandoned, with profound effects on the fauna and flora. About 150,000 people live in the biosphere reserve (1997). Much effort has been made to safeguard Luberon’s heritage and maintain agricultural activities. ‘Areas of major biological value’ have been identified and protected: these include holm oak forests (Quercus ilex), Montpellier pine oak forests (Pinus halepensis), beech groves, garrigues, dry grasslands and riverine woodlands. Tourism plays a major role in the local economy and efforts are made to promote ecotourism backed up by environmental education and public information. Research focuses on the fauna and flora, resulting in detailed inventories of genetic resources. |
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| Major ecosystem type | Evergreen sclerophyllous forests, woodlands or scrub | |||
| Major habitats & land cover types | Sclerophyllous forests with Quercus ilex; Mediterranean pine woods with Pinus halepensis; deciduous oak woodland with Quercus pubescens; mountain pine forest with Pinus sylvestris; beech woodlands (Fagus sylvatica); garrigues and dry Mediterranean, sub-mediterranean and mountane grasslands; wetlands and riverine forests; open scrublands; agroecosystems with ruderals; rocky outcrops and cliffs; caves and underground habitats | |||
| Location | 43°50' to 44°03'N; 4°58' to 5°53'E | |||
| Area (hectares) | ||||
| Total | 179,600 | |||
| Core area(s) | 34,700 | |||
| Buffer zone(s) | 24,900 | |||
| Transition area(s) when given | 120,000 | |||
| Altitude (metres above sea level) | +50 to +1256 | |||
| Year designated | 1997 | |||
| Administrative authorities | Parc Naturel Régional de Luberon | |||
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| Brief description |
Water quality Flora and fauna, especially beaver (Castor fiber), long-eared owl (Bubo bubo), little owl (Athene noctua), red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) and roedeer (Capreolus capreolus) |
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| Specific variables... | ||||
| Abiotic | Hydrology. | |||
| Biodiversity | Birds, fauna, flora, mammals. | |||
| Socio-economic | n.a. | |||
| Integrated monitoring | n.a. | |||
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| Contact address |
Pierre Frapa Réserve de biosphère du Luberon-Lure, Parc Naturel Régional du Luberon 60, Place Jean Jaurès 84404 APT France |
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| Telephone | (33) (0) 4 90 04 42 23 | |||
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pierre.frapa@parcduluberon.fr |
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| Web site | http://www.parcduluberon.fr | |||
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| Last updated: 23/02/2007 |
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