FAUNA& FLORA |
Context
Current actions
Key data
Context
In 1996, Nice Côte d'Azur Airport was one of the first
collectivities in France to embrace integrated pest management
in an outdoor environment:
- Releasing predators (such as ladybirds)
and parasites to regulate pests (greenfly, scale insect,
etc.) in order to restore a natural balance between all
living organisms.
- Gardening techniques (respecting
pruning periods, disinfecting tools, etc.).
- Choosing varieties best suited to
the region or resistant to certain diseases or pests.
Unlike chemical pest control,
which aims to exterminate all life forms without distinguishing
between useful insects (auxiliaries) and harmful insects (pests),
integrated pest management works on the notion of TOLERANCE
THRESHOLDS: it tolerates the survival of a certain number of
pests as they will enable the auxiliaries to survive and cope
with any new massive attacks.
The airport has been divided
into three quality zones (Prestige, Luxury and Comfort). A tolerance
threshold has been defined for each type of pest in each of
the three zones.
In addition to the three quality
zones, the airport has been further dissected into 37 specific
geographical zones. This is because pockets of greenery are
widely dispersed over a total area covering 20 acres.
This system guarantees optimal
levels of surveillance - in terms of both quality and quantity
- and hence immediate problem-solving.
Current actions
Pest attack and disease watch: a technician from the landscaping
department carries out inspections every week,
Traps set in partnership with the Ministry for Agriculture to
detect the presence of chrysomelids.
July 3: Bio-indicator campaign at the airport to detect heavy
metals.
Key data
% landscaped areas in relation to tarmacked or constructed areas:
2001 : 48,950m²
of landscaped grounds out of a total of 100 acres (12% landscaped
areas)
2002 : 48,962 m² representing 12.2% of the site
2003 : 49,182m² representing 13% of the site
Botanical variety at the airport Over 35 species of plant
could be admired at the airport in 2003.
60 species of shrub and as many different species of
tree are to be found at the airport.
Tree varieties at the airport
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