The protection of a species requires a deep knowledge about its biology, its behaviour (Ethology), as well as its populations’ spatiality, distribution, localisation and density. This knowledge rests upon the implementation of inventories, monitoring processes and case studies conducted by various stakeholders : from public ones like ONF or ONCFS to associative ones like LPO in France. Data collection (centralized by national organisations as MNHN in France and then by international organisations as IUCN) appears to be a field of knowledge », organised at different levels and presenting a certain coherence (Bottom up process: data collection done in the field, and then centralised on the upper level). Nonetheless, our knowledge tends to be disparate in front of the diversity of species which are threatened due to their biology as well as the place we grant them in our society.

We will try to put in light this disparity of knowledge by selecting several threatened species, chosen according to the volume of the stakeholders network and the different measures put in place. We will then analyse it at different levels (local, national, and european) and we will also make a territorial comparison (between France, Spain and Switzerland). This knowledge only can be analysed through the stakeholders : who create, organise and lead monitoring and case studies? What are their methods : ways of leading inventories and monitoring ? Are they homogenous when referring to the same species present in different territories? What about their legitimacy : can we observe some disparity on the led efforts to know better different species? Are the protocols used for some species appropriate and efficient Most threatened species are the most followed ones? In this research framework we are studying the Southern Water vole (Arvicola sapidus), which is present in France and Spain. This species is threatened, and it benefits in those countries from national investigations with the aim of getting a better knowledge about the geographical breakdown of the species.

Objetivo específico visita Doñana: El objetivo es comprender los procesos que condujeron a la colocación de inventario, de protocolo de seguimiento. De encontrar los responsables de los monitores, y de acompañarle(s) en el terreno para ver como hacen para la rata de agua. Identificar una tipologia de los medios naturales atractivos y repulsivos para las ratas de agua. El objetivo final es una comparación con Francia.