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France Expands Strictly Protected Natural Areas Through South American Rainforests
13 Jun. 08:40The French Ministry for Ecological Transition has approved a large-scale environmental initiative, placing an additional 157,000 hectares of forest zones under state protection. This measure is part of a long-term national strategy aimed at securing "ultra-strict protection" status for at least 10% of the country's total territory by 2030. The updated regulatory framework is designed to minimize human impact on vulnerable ecosystems and guarantee the safety of natural habitats for endangered flora and fauna.
The vast majority of the newly designated conservation zones—approximately 99.5%—are located in French Guiana, an overseas department of France situated in South America. The core of this environmental project centers on the expansion of the "Armontabo Rocky Ridges" reserve, which now spans over 156,000 hectares of pristine tropical rainforests and unique granite geological formations. Meanwhile, less than 1,000 hectares have been allocated for similar protection within European France, divided among ancient and high-altitude forests in regions such as the Vosges, Cantal, Meuse, and Bas-Rhin.
According to official ministry guidelines, a restricted land-use regime has been introduced in these designated areas, strictly prohibiting any commercial exploitation or logging activities. While certain reserve sectors will be left to develop naturally without human intervention, other zones will be actively managed by conservation experts to artificially sustain endangered biomes. The integration of these new areas increases the total number of biological reserves in France to 276, raising the share of top-tier protected lands to 6.43%.
As part of its ongoing environmental commitments, Paris plans to bring an additional 250,000 hectares of forest property under rigorous monitoring by the end of the decade. The protection of biodiversity in overseas territories remains a strategic priority, with roughly 180,000 hectares of the planned expansion allocated to these regions. These international efforts are intended to strengthen the nation's standing in global climate initiatives and showcase effective methods for countering global deforestation.
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Ecological Shift: Golden Jackals Pro Projected to Inhabit 75% of the European Continent
Today in 06:53Once restricted mainly to the Balkans and the Black Sea coastal regions, golden jackals are rapidly expanding their footprint across Europe. According to a landmark study by an international research team published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, these adaptable predators could eventually inhabit up to 75% of the European continent—nearly a sixfold expansion from their historical range. Scientists arrived at these conclusions after monitoring nearly 9,000 sampling sites across multiple European nations.
Recent sightings and acoustic tracking confirm that jackals have established populations in the Czech Republic, the Baltic region, and even Scandinavia. The species thrives in areas with mild winters, mixed agricultural landscapes, and proximity to water sources. Regional climate warming has transformed previously uninhabitable northern areas into suitable habitats, while farming landscapes offer abundant food sources and coverage.
Biologists attribute this unprecedented expansion primarily to the historical decline of wolf populations, which naturally suppress jackal numbers and limit their movement. Smaller than wolves but slightly larger than foxes, jackals feed on small rodents, carrion, plants, and fruits. Their high ecological adaptability allows them to settle efficiently into newly colonized territories without human interference.
However, their entry into Western and Southern Europe, including countries like France and Spain, poses potential ecological consequences. Environmentalists warn that the arrival of jackals could disrupt local ecosystems and threaten endangered ground-nesting steppe birds and smaller wildlife across the Iberian Peninsula.
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