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The Camargue: Rhone River Delta (France)

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The Wetland Book

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Abstract

The Camargue, the delta of the Rhône River, is the second largest delta in the Mediterranean. Its hydrology is strongly modified by artificial flows of water during spring and summer. Water management enhances the natural gradients of salinity and hydromorphy, factors that determine the existence of diverse ecosystems (sand dunes, Salicornia steppes, fresh and saline wetlands). These ecosystems perform numerous ecological functions and provide important ecosystem services. Overall, the Rhône delta is one of the most important wetlands in the Mediterranean basin in terms of its area, hydrology, and biodiversity. Although the Camargue is known under numerous nature conservation designations, it is increasingly difficult to counteract the mounting pressures from global change. A revised perspective on nature conservation is needed for the long-term protection of wetlands, its functions, and values.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tour du Valat, Research Institute for Mediterranean Wetlands, 13200, Le Sambuc, Arles, France

    Patrick Grillas

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  1. Patrick Grillas
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Correspondence to Patrick Grillas .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, Albury, New South Wales, Australia

    C. Max Finlayson

  2. Department of Natural Resources, Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada

    G. Randy Milton

  3. Nature Management Services, Cambridge, United Kingdom

    R. Crawford Prentice

  4. Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, Albury, New South Wales, Australia

    Nick C. Davidson

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Grillas, P. (2018). The Camargue: Rhone River Delta (France). In: Finlayson, C., Milton, G., Prentice, R., Davidson, N. (eds) The Wetland Book. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4001-3_21

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