Socio-economic approach of the french peatlands Carine MAITRE « RECIPE »

Introduction Socio-economic context linked with peatlands ? Peatland existence set up a social network Sociological investigation : what are actors’ social representations? Problematics 1- Socio-economic valorizations : 1.1 Market of peat in France 1.2 Valorization linked with conservative management 2- Sociological investigation 2.1 An exploited peatland : Baupte (Normandy) 2.2 A restored peatland : Frasne (Franche-Comté) Plan of the lecture

2.1- Produce market of peat in France (a) Industrial exploitation Organic amendments and growing media Artisanal exploitation

15 sites of extraction Weak density of peatlands High density of peatlands Peatlands Areas of peatland Extracted peat (metric tons) (end of 1999) 2.1- The market of peat in France (b)

2.1- The market of peat in France (c) National consommation of peat (metric tons) VolumePourcentageVolumePourcentage Volume of importations National production National consommation Evaluation of french consommation of peat

2.1- The market of peat in France (d) Volume of different raw materials used in fabrication of growing-media Importations : 80 % Baltic States,10 % Ireland, 10% others countries

2.1-The market of peat in France(e): Employment in Approximatively 100 jobs linked with peat exploitation in France number in diminution jobs generated by production of organic amendments and growing media number in augmentation

2.1 The market of peat in France (f) : Future of french exploitations ? Authorizations of extraction expiration : 2010 French and european legislations Last authorization in France : marsh with minor ecological interest (2001) Importations of peat : Belarus, Russia or Quebec Developement of alternative products

2.2- Socio-economic valorization of conservative management Jobs in different organisms (Associations, National Forest Board (ONF), in communes community.) Installation to welcome public Products of conservation management Animals introduced for extensive grazing

Restoration Conservative management Landscaped, educative, and touristic valorizations Gathering of bilberries Fishing Agricultural use Hunting Exploitation At the origine of uses.. actors Professionnal and private consummers Entrepreneurs Peat workers Manufacturers of composts Farmers Associations ONF Residents Private owners Administrations Elected members Tourists

3- Sociological investigations (a) Interviews with individuals concerning by peatlands : - Semi-directive interviews - Grid with topics - Record/Retranscription Analyse of talks : Similarities between speeches Typology of actors

3.1 Sociological investigation : Peatland of Baupte, Normandy Exploited peatland Plain- marsh BAUPTE GORGES Factory B1 B8 B12 B7 B13 B6 B9.1 B9.2 B10 B1 B4B5 B3 B2

B Impacts of exploitation - No negative impacts - Advantages and drawbacks - Only negative impacts Future of exploitation -« It would be a pity if it stops » - « It would be a catastroph » - « They are going to stop exploitation » - « They must stop the exploitation » Evocation of industrial past - Near absent - Marked - Very marked Definition of a peatland - « That’s where peat is extracted » - Natural environnement 3.1 Sociological investigation : Results of Baupte

La tourbière Legend Themes and subtopics Definition of a peatland - « That’s where peat is extracted » - Natural environnement Impacts of exploitation - No negative impacts - Advantages and drawbacks - Only negative impacts Future of exploitation « It would be a pity if it stops » « It would be a catastroph » « They are going to stop exploitation » « They must stop the exploitation » Evocation of industrial past - Near absent - Marked Very marked Actors’ typology (a) B11 B5 B4 A- Institutions and associations B- The Ecologist Hunters B9.2 B9.1 B10

Actors’ typology (b) Legend Themes and subtopics Definition of a peatland - « That’s where peat is extracted » - Natural environnement Impacts of exploitation - No negative impacts - Advantages and drawbacks - Only negative impacts Future of exploitation « It would be a pity if it stops » « It would be a catastroph » « They are going to stop exploitation » « They must stop the exploitation » Evocation of industrial past - Near absent - Marked Very marked B6B3 C- The « interested » B12 B7 B8 B1 D- « Keep the jobs »

B11 B5 B4 A B9.2 B9.1 B10 B B6 B3 C D B12 B7 B8 B1 Social determinants explaining typology? Age ? Socio-economic category ? Family situation ?

Spatial proximity BAUPTE GORGES B11 B5 B4 A B6 B3 C D B12 B7 B8 B1 B9.2 B9.1 B10 B

3.2- Sociological investigation : Site of Frasne (Franche-Comté) Frasne F1 F2 Pontarlier Peatlands F4 F3 First results F2 : utilitary vision All : « beauté du milieu », « nécessaire de protéger », « tourbières sont bien protégées, bien aménagées » Consensus

Conclusions / Perspectives Sociological investigation Baupte Frasne : After a period... Continuation of this study : - interviews with new publics - peatland of Herretang (Isère) Conciliation between environnemental and valorization socio-economic in peatland? - public/product - peat exploitation

Socio-economic approach of the french peatlands Carine MAITRE « RECIPE »