The spawning grounds of the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) are located within the perimeter of the Sélune Observatory. As this species is migratory, its colonisation of the Sélune river and its tributaries will probably be influenced by the removal of the Sélune dams. The spawning grounds are characterised by a depression accompanied by a sediment ejection dome immediately downstream. The stones returned to the dome are lighter, making the nests easily visible and identifiable for up to several weeks after spawning. This data is available for the years 2015, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. The Sélune Observatory's activity reports (see attached links) give details of the prospecting conditions.

The study of riparian vegetation in exposed areas is based on the observation of natural plant communities colonising newly exposed mudflats, across different temporal scales (intra- and inter-annual variations) and nested spatial scales. The botanical survey is carried out using the Braun-Blanquet method. The sampling protocol is stratified in order to maximize the recorded diversity. For each study area, a transect perpendicular to the riverbed is established, on which quadrats of 25m2 (5x5m) are positioned. These quadrats are used for the identification of substrates and the determination of species present (on the ground and in vertical strata). All species in the quadrats were surveyed and their abundance was estimated. The main vegetation units have also been described. This layer provides the locations of these study areas as well as the various information characterizing them (watercourse, reference point, position on the catchment area, transect, associated drainage basin) for the campaign sessions from 2021 to 2026.

The opening of the dams should impact the functioning of Atlantic salmon populations migrating up the Sélune River and its tributaries. Restoring the river's ecological continuity will alter population flows by allowing amphihaline sea trout to migrate further upstream and native trout to move downstream and upstream of the dams. The trout population is monitored at a network of stations covering the entire Sélune basin using an abundance index, which is carried out every two years before 2021 and every year since then. Field campaigns comply with the fishing protocol developed by INRAE and OFB. The aim of this method is to estimate the abundance of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) at a station (or sector). This protocol targets juveniles of the year (aged 0+) whose abundance reflects the renewal of generations within the population (or recruitment) and survival after the embryonic development phases under gravel and the first months of life in the open environment. Field campaigns are carried out by INRAE and the Manche and Ille-et-Vilaine Federations for Fishing and the Protection of the Aquatic Environment (FDAAPPMA50 and FDAAPPMA35). This dataset provides abundance data for Atlantic salmon (0+, 1+, 2+ and cumulative) as well as the salmon abundance index (PAS) by station and fishing session.

The opening of the dams should impact the functioning of Atlantic salmon populations migrating up the Sélune and its tributaries. Restoring the river's ecological continuity will alter population flows by allowing Atlantic salmon to migrate further upstream and downstream of the dams. The Atlantic salmon population is monitored at a network of stations covering the entire Sélune basin using an abundance index, which was carried out every two years before 2021 and annually since then. Field campaigns comply with the fishing protocol developed by INRAE and OFB. The aim of this method is to estimate the abundance of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) at a station (or sector). This protocol targets juveniles of the year (aged 0+) whose abundance reflects the renewal of generations within the population (or recruitment) and survival after the embryonic development phases under gravel and the first months of life in the open environment. Field campaigns are carried out by INRAE and the Manche d'Ille-et-Vilaine Federation for Fishing and the Protection of the Aquatic Environment (FDAPPMA50 and FDAPPMA35). This dataset provides the locations of these study sectors for IAS fishing sessions in the Sélune watershed by fishing session.

The restoration of the Sélune river continuum after the dams were demolished will allow colonization of the upper reaches of the basin, which were previously inaccessible to eels. Before the demolition, two main tributaries were used by amphihaline fish for reproduction, in addition to the main river: the Beuvron and the Oir. The eel population of the Sélune was monitored in the pre-demolition phase by abundance index campaigns carried out in 2013, 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2023 on a network of stations covering the entire Sélune river system. These data make it possible to estimate changes in eel abundance along the Sélune and its tributaries and their size structure before and after the destruction of the dams. The inventory is carried out in early September, every other year, using electric fishing equipment and landing nets. Thirty fishing points are carried out for a minimum of 30 seconds each. A fishing station covers approximately 100 meters of river. All eels caught are anesthetized and undergo biometric measurements (weight, length, horizontal and vertical eye diameter, determination of yellow or silver stage). All eels are released directly at the fishing site. This layer contains individual data on the eels caught.

The study of riparian vegetation in exposed areas is based on the observation of natural plant communities colonising newly exposed mudflats, across different temporal scales (intra- and inter-annual variations) and nested spatial scales. The botanical survey is carried out using the Braun-Blanquet method. The sampling protocol is stratified in order to maximise the diversity recorded. For each study area, a transect perpendicular to the riverbed is established, with strips parallel to the watercourse marked out in the field according to the degree of exposure. This layer shows the location of these study areas, the route of the transects, and information on the vegetation units recorded between 2021 and 2026.

The opening of the dams will have a significant impact on trout populations in the Sélune. Restoring the river's ecological continuity will alter population flows by allowing amphihaline sea trout to migrate further upstream and native trout to move downstream and upstream of the dams. The trout population is monitored at a network of stations covering the entire Sélune basin using an abundance index, which is carried out every two years. The field campaigns comply with the Vigitruite® fishing protocol, developed by INRA and intended for use throughout France. This abundance index, relative to the area of favorable habitats in the watercourse, makes it possible to assess the quantity of young trout present in the river, resulting from natural reproduction in previous years. This table provides individual data on trout caught according to the year of study.

The study of riparian vegetation in exposed areas is based on the observation of natural plant communities colonising newly exposed mudflats, across different temporal scales (intra- and inter-annual variations) and nested spatial scales. The botanical survey is carried out using the Braun-Blanquet method. The sampling protocol is stratified in order to maximize the recorded diversity. For each study area, a transect perpendicular to the riverbed is established, on which quadrats of 25m2 (5x5m) are positioned. These quadrats are used for the identification of substrates and the determination of species present (on the ground and in vertical strata). This layer indicates the location of these study areas, the layout of transects and information regarding the quadrats recorded between 2021 and 2026

In 2020, scientific plots were set up, marked out on the ground with colored stakes. These plots are intended to facilitate scientific monitoring, particularly of renaturation. These plots represent privileged areas for scientists, where no sediment or vegetation disturbance is planned until the end of the Sélune program.

The opening of the dams will have a considerable impact on the functioning of trout populations in the Sélune. Restoring the river's ecological continuity will modify population flows, allowing amphihaline sea trout to migrate further upstream, and native trout to move upstream and downstream of the dams. The trout population is monitored at a network of stations covering the entire Sélune basin, using an abundance index carried out every 2 years. Field campaigns follow the Vigitruite® fishing protocol, developed at INRAE for use throughout France. This index of abundance, related to the surface area of favorable habitats on the watercourse, makes it possible to evaluate the quantity of trout present in the river, resulting from natural reproduction in previous years. Field campaigns are carried out by INRAE and the Fédération d'Ille-et-Vilaine pour la Pêche et la Protection du Milieu Aquatique (FDAAPPMA35). This layer shows the locations of these study sectors by year of study : 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024 et 2025.