About OtterLane
A reference resource on river ecology, protected species and freshwater conservation in France.
What This Site Documents
OtterLane collects and presents publicly available information on the ecology of French rivers, streams and wetlands. The focus is on the relationship between hydrological conditions, habitat structure, and the species communities that depend on freshwater environments.
Content draws on publications from French and European research institutions, national monitoring programmes, and publicly accessible databases including the National Inventory of Natural Heritage (INPN) and the Eau France portal.
Particular attention is given to species listed under French and EU protection frameworks — notably the Habitats Directive Annex II and IV — as well as to the ecological status assessments conducted under the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC).
Scope and Coverage
Articles on this site address three broad areas:
- Protected species — distribution, habitat requirements, and the pressures affecting key freshwater fauna including the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), European beaver (Castor fiber), and migratory fish.
- Wetland ecology — hydrological processes, vegetation communities, and the biodiversity of marshes, floodplains and estuarine systems such as the Camargue.
- Water quality — chemical and biological assessment methods, the main pollution pressures on French watercourses, and the indicators used in national reporting.
Content is updated periodically as new monitoring data or published assessments become available.
Contact
For information requests, corrections or topic suggestions, use the contact form on the home page.
Email: contact@otterlane.eu
Submit an Enquiry
Use this form to submit questions or information requests about river ecology topics covered on this site.