Socio-economic monitoring of the Selune valley (Normandy, France) in the context of the largest European dam removal project using GIS.

Keywords: ecological restoration, dam removal, socio-economic monitoring, state of possibilities, Geographic Information System (GIS)
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Saturday
Session Start / End Time: 2/26/2022 05:20 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/26/2022 06:40 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 52

Abstract

The restoration of the Selune is the largest European dam removal project that has led to the loss of lakes where economic and leisure activities were concentrated.
Over the last twenty years, an increasing number of dams have been removed in an effort to restore rivers by allowing the circulation of sediments and aquatic species. The ecological restoration of rivers also has important socio-economic impacts (such as the loss or creation of attractive places) that are often not considered during the planning and monitoring of projects. My study shows that Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can be used to integrate these issues into the monitoring of ecological restoration projects, through an example of the Selune valley in France. I used a monitoring methodology based on user surveys and GIS which consists in mapping the "state of possibilities" of the Selune valley. The "state of possibilities" shows how activities and people could be spatially reorganized based on their needs after the demolition of the dams and the draining of the lakes. It is expected to help bridge conversations and bring new insights among stakeholders of the project. My results highlight the potential forms of collaboration between users, the new opportunities available in the restored valley and the issues that must be considered for the future development of the Selune valley.