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 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, and then every year since 2021, 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, then every year since 2021, using electric fishing equipment and landing nets. Thirty fishing points are carried out for a minimum of 30 seconds. 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 sheet refers to two layers, one showing only the study areas and their location, and the other specifying the concept of capture sessions.

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).

Macrophytes are a group of aquatic plants. They are at the base of the food chain and can provide a habitat for many other species. The relative abundance of different species is used to calculate an environmental quality index (IBMR). 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 reference stations, are outside the area of influence of the former dams (one downstream, the other upstream). At these stations, aquatic biocenoses (including benthic macroinvertebrates, biofilms, macrophytes, etc.) are monitored. The parameters monitored are specific composition and cover, at 8 stations in the main course, located upstream, downstream and in neolotic areas of macrophyte communities. The monitoring frequency consists of one annual campaign for stations outside reservoirs (S0, S1 and S5) and two annual campaigns (spring/autumn) for neolotic stations (S2, S3.4, S4.1 and S6). The protocol used is the sampling protocol for macrophytes and bryophytes in accordance with standard NF T90-395 (October 2003), which defines the IBMR. Taxa are sampled for laboratory identification. This layer gives the value of the IBMR and EQR (normalized) index at a station for a campaign, as well as information concerning the robustness of this index, the quantities of taxa used to calculate these indices and also information in terms of the proportion of major floristic groups (heterotrophs, algae, bryophytes, pteridophytes, helophytes, phanerogrames, floating vegetation and submerged vegetation).

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 different 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. During each campaign, an INRAe experimental sampling protocol is implemented. This protocol involves the immersion (1 month) of glass slides, an in situ measurement of the chlorophyll-a concentration via BentoTorch and then the collection of the biofilm on these glass slides. The biofilm is conditioned in (1) 99.9% ethanol to determine IBDs and floristic lists (outsourced service, based on standard NF T90-354) and (2) mineral water to measure chlorophyll-a concentration using a spectrometer. NB: the year 2023 is not covered in terms of measuring chlorophyll-a concentration via spectrometry due to a problem with the low-temperature storage of samples. This dataset provides measurements of the average daily concentration of chlorophyll-a and pheopigment in µg/cm2/day.

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 different 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. During each campaign, an INRAe experimental sampling protocol is implemented. This protocol involves the immersion (1 month) of glass slides, in situ measurement of chlorophyll-a concentration via BentoTorch and then collection of the biofilm on these glass slides. The biofilm is conditioned in (1) 99.9% ethanol for determination of IBDs and floristic lists (outsourced service, based on standard NF T90-354) and (2) mineral water for measurement of chlorophyll-a concentration using a spectrometer. Taxon identification is based on version v17 of the TAXREF reference. The dataset is currently under embargo.

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.

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.