The re-establishment of the river continuum on the Sélune after the dams have been levelled will enable colonization of the upper reaches of the basin, which were previously inaccessible to eels. Before the dams were levelled, 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-flushing phase by abundance index campaigns carried out in 2013, 2015, 2019 on a network of stations covering the entire Sélune hydrographic network. Since 2021, this network of stations has evolved to monitor changes in the part of the watershed accessible following the dismantling of the 2 dams. These data enable us to estimate changes in eel abundance along the Sélune and its tributaries, as well as their size structure before and after the removal of the dams. The inventory is carried out in early September, every other year between 2013 and 2019, then every year since, using an electric fishing device and dip nets. Thirty thirty-second fishing stations are set up. A fishing station comprises approximately 100 meters of river. All eels caught are anaesthetized and biometric measurements are taken (weight, length, horizontal and vertical eye diameter, determination of yellow or silver stage). All eels are released directly at the fishing site. Two different protocols were implemented: the Eel Abundance Index (Pottier and Chapon, 2022) at 23 stations and exhaustion fishing at eight other stations (IAA01 to IAA08) on the Oir River and some of its tributaries, according to an internal protocol. This layer provides station abundances 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 removal of the dams of the Sélune is the subject of a scientific programme initiated in 2012 in which environmental parameters are monitored in order to provide real feedback on this restoration operation. In 2019, a data observatory was set up to ensure the collection and processing of these parameters (biotic and abiotic). The data acquired from 2012 and at least until 2027 will be centralized through an information system (IS), called SISelune. SISelune aims to help scientists involved in the Sélune programme and make data accessible to all. The Sélune scientific programme has a reference system, composed of points. These points can be used by all program actors to more easily identify any location within the study area. The points are created along the rivers, with an approach "Point kilométrique" (every 100m, going from upstream to downstream). Each of these points has a unique code, corresponding to the association of the watercourse (designated by a short code) and the distance to the source or confluence. Since 2025, each of these points has also been characterized by its position in the watershed (downstream, upstream, ...) in relation to the zone determined by the former dams and their reservoirs, as well as their distance from the sea in 2 forms (LTM: Limite Transversale à la mer / Transverse Sea Limit and LSE: Limite Salure des eaux / Water salinity limit).

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 removal of the dams on the Sélune River is the subject of a scientific program launched in 2012, in which environmental parameters are monitored in order to provide real feedback on this restoration operation. In 2019, a data observatory was set up to collect and process these parameters (biotic and abiotic). The data acquired from 2012 and at least until 2027 will be centralized through an information system (IS) called SISelune. SISelune aims to assist scientists associated with the Sélune program and make the data accessible to all. This layer shows the study area, based on hydrographic sub-basins for the continental part and the transitional water body for the Bay of Mont St-Michel.

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.

In partnership with ANR Reppaval, the Syndicat Mixte du bassin de la Sélune has begun implementing a photographic observatory of the landscapes of the Sélune basin. This is a photographic itinerary consisting of viewpoints spread across the entire territory, where photographs will be taken regularly. The aim is to monitor changes in the landscape, particularly in relation to the Sélune restoration project. The layer shows the location of the sites on the photographic itinerary that are directly affected by the Sélune restoration work: lakes and dams.

Benthic macro-invertebrates (insects, crustaceans, molluscs, worms) form an important link in the food chain. As part of the Sélune observatory, pilot stations have been set up along the main course of the Sélune, distributed from upstream to downstream of the hydroelectric dams. Three stations are located in the former reservoirs of the dams, while the other two, known as the reference stations, are outside the area of influence of the former dams (one downstream and the other upstream). At these stations, the aquatic biocenoses (including benthic macroinvertebrates, biofilms, macrophytes, etc.) are monitored. The parameters monitored are the taxonomic composition of the communities at 5 stations in the main river, located upstream, downstream and in the new lotic habitats. The sampling frequency involves two annual sampling campaigns (spring and autumn). The protocols implemented are the installation of 4 artificial substrates (SUBART) per station and a survey after 1 month of immersion as well as 12 Surber samples per station, in accordance with standard NF T 90-333 (2016), allowing the calculation of the I2M2 in accordance with standard NF T 90-388 (2020) and Mondy et al. 2012, 2012. This layer shows the location of the study sectors used to monitor benthic macroinvertebrates and the campaigns carried out. This monitoring was finalised with the latest field acquisitions in 2025.

Microbial communities play a major role in the functioning of ecosystems: they are at the base of the food chain (primary production) and participate in the degradation of organic matter. These communities are also known to respond rapidly to environmental changes. Like macro-invertebrates, they can be used as ecological indicators. Benthic diatoms are the main photosynthetic organisms in this biological community. The relative abundance of the various species is used to calculate an environmental quality index (EQI). Major differences in communities between the upstream and downstream zones were observed when the dams were in place. These differences will change once the dams are removed. As part of the Sélune observatory, pilot stations have been set up along the main course of the Sélune, distributed from upstream to downstream of the hydroelectric dams. Three stations are located in the former reservoirs of the dams, while the other two, known as the reference stations, are outside the area of influence of the former dams (one downstream and the other upstream). At these stations, aquatic biocenoses (including benthic macroinvertebrates, biofilms, macrophytes, etc.) are monitored. Since September 2014, the stations are ideally sampled every month from April to October (7 annual surveys) using artificial substrates (glass slides placed in the water). In addition to the diatom survey (floristic list, IBD calculation), the chlorophyll-a concentration is measured. This layer shows the location of the study sectors used to monitor photosynthetic biofilms and the campaigns carried out.

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.