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.

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 re-establishment of the river continuum of the Sélune after the levelling of the dams will enable the colonization of the upstream part of the basin which was previously inaccessible to trout. As a result, monitoring of amphihaline fish populations on the Sélune is carried out on the main river and its tributaries, both upstream and downstream of the former dams. These enable us to understand the dynamics of these common trout populations before, during and after dam removal. Regarding the trouts, the inventory is carried out using the VIGITRUITE® protocol. This is a standardized protocol for estimating the abundance of juvenile trout (Salmo trutta) in rivers. It is based on sampling per unit effort, a unit fixed at 5 minutes of effective fishing, and thus delivers abundances in numbers of juveniles per 5 minutes. Abacuses for converting abundances into densities are available, and a guide to interpreting densities, from low to excellent, is proposed. Compared with traditional inventories, this protocol enables a smaller number of people to be mobilized in the field. The protocol applies to watercourses up to 8 m wide and never more than 60 cm deep. It has been validated on granite and limestone rivers in Brittany and Normandy. VIGITRUITE® specifically targets juveniles of the year (0+) and yearlings (1+). The 0+ abundance provides information on generation replacement (or recruitment), useful for population demographic monitoring. The abundance of 0+ and 1+ is also a reflection of the quality of the trutticole habitat, and of specific attacks on its integrity (pollution, sedimentation, fragmentation in particular). It is a diagnostic tool for trout populations and their river habitats. This protocol is applied in September of the years in question: every 2 years between 2012 and 2020, then every year from 2021 to 2027. The year 2020 is special because of the COVID. For more information on acquisition conditions, please refer to the Sélune biocenosis observatory reports, the links to which are provided in this document. This dataset provides juvenile trout abundance data (0+, 1+ and cumulative), by station and fishing session.

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 d'Ille-et-Vilaine Federation for Fishing and the Protection of the Aquatic Environment (FDAPPMA50 and FDAAPPMA35). This dataset provides individual biometric data on Atlantic salmon caught during PAS fishing sessions in the Sélune watershed, by station and by fishing session.

The study of riparian vegetation is based on the observation of natural plant communities spontaneously colonizing newly exposed areas following the erasure of the Vezins and La-Roche-Qui-Boit dams. The vegetation monitoring system includes two complementary approaches: i) a vegetation sampling method based on floristic surveys (composition & structure) carried out within a series of quadrats positioned along a transect ii) a monitoring of the vegetation units (UV) observed within the valley This sheet specifically concerns the monitoring of vegetation units (UV) observed within the valley, only for data from the Sélune Observatory (2021-2026). The monitoring system for Vegetation Units is based on the identification of vegetation distributed along the transect at each station in the main stream. It aims to obtain a representative view of diversity and the organization of plant formations and communities. This monitoring consists of identifying the discontinuities in terms of composition and structure of the various vegetation types that develop within the neo-valley along the transect that descends to the bank, and to report their influence. (distance in metres from the reference point at the edge of the old dam). These data can be used to establish a pro rata of the different plant formations encountered along the transect. Although this value is thus really valid only at the transect of each station, this information can potentially constitute an approximation of the heterogeneity and distribution of vegetation at the valley scale. This layer gives, for each riparian vegetation monitoring station and each campaign from 2021 to 2026, the following information: – Campaign information (id, code, date, campaign), – Station information (code, name, protocol applied, number of quadrats, code for the associated Sélune reference point and, as a result: location on the watershed, distance to sea, distance to source and water course) – Information on the transect by campaign (number and length, X, Y, LON coordinates, LAT of reference points "NGF" and end point "rive") – Information regarding the Vegetation Units (VU) identified by campaign (number, description: code, start position, end position, EUNIS3 characteristics, 4) – Origin of the data ("Observatoire Sélune," "Hors Observatoire Sélune," "Projet Séripage," or "Projet Restaure") – “Point” geometry (default) corresponding to the transect reference point – Line (alternative) geometry of the associated transect for each campaign. The study of riparian vegetation in exposed areas is based on the observation of natural plant communities colonizing newly exposed mudflats, at different time scales (intra- and interannual variations) and at nested spatial scales. The botanical inventory is carried out according to 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, where strips parallel to the watercourse are marked on the ground according to the exposure rate. This layer indicates the location of these study areas, the layout of transects and information regarding vegetation units recorded between 2021 and 2026.

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, 2025 and 2026. The Sélune Observatory's activity reports (see attached links) give details of the prospecting conditions.

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. The identification and counting of sea lamprey spawning grounds is done through an internal standardized INRAE protocol. This is a visual count with GPS pointing by foot prospecting from the downstream to the upstream on the tributaries, in kayak from the upstream to the downstream on the main course of the Sélune. The resources allocated to counting spawning grounds do not cover the entire hydrographic network of the Sélune and its tributaries; geographically located spawning areas at the upstream boundary do not necessarily correspond to the colonization front. Starting in 2025, due to the time-consuming nature of this monitoring, it was decided to restrict and make permanent the prospecting shelves. Were therefore prospected: a section of the linear downstream of the dams (downstream of the Sélune, tributary of the Oir, and downstream of the tributary of the Beuvron), the linear within the old reservoirs (La Sélune), and a section of linear upstream of the dams. (The Sélune from upstream of the dams to Saint Hilaire du Harcouët as well as downstream from the tributary of the Airon). This dataset makes it possible to report on the line surveyed per campaign, the number of spawning grounds identified on each line, the length of each line, and the spawning rate related to the length of the prospected line. This data is available for the years 2015, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026. The Sélune Observatory's activity reports (see attached links) give details of the prospecting conditions.

The study of riparian vegetation is based on the observation of natural plant communities spontaneously colonizing newly exposed areas following the erasure of the Vezins and La-Roche-Qui-Boit dams. The vegetation monitoring system includes two complementary approaches: i) a vegetation sampling method based on floristic surveys (composition & structure) carried out within a series of quadrats positioned along a transect ii) a monitoring of the vegetation units (UV) observed within the valley This dataset specifically concerns the overall characterization observed on each quadrat in terms of strata and concerns only the Sélune Observatory (2021-2026). The sampling monitoring system is based on measurements distributed at different points in space (longitudinally and laterally). It aims to identify the diversity of flora and vegetation and describe the structure of emerging formations and plant communities within the neo-valley. Implemented annually (sub-annual only for 2021, before dismantling), this monitoring aims to identify and characterize the evolution trajectories of these vegetation over time. The vegetation sampling protocol is implemented at several stations located along the course of the Sélune and at the mouth of several tributaries located in the right-of-way of the two former reservoirs. The sample of stations is supplemented by a batch of stations positioned outside the right-of-way of the two former reservoirs, downstream and upstream, which constitute so-called "reference" stations. For each station, a transect is established perpendicular to the channel, from the bank to a reference point located at the level of the former water reservoir (i.e. 60m NGF for Vezins & 28.5m NGF for LRQB). Along this transect, 25m2 (5mx5m) quadrats are positioned according to previously set distance intervals. These quadrats (named Q1 to Q1+n) constitute the elementary unit within which abiotic (slope, texture...) and biotic (composition, structure) parameters are characterized and evaluated. The number of quadrats sampled per station varies depending on the width of the exposed bank (or transect length). It is completed by a reference quadrat, located beyond this maximum value (named Q0). The inventory of vascular flora, i.e. herbaceous and woody plant species within the quadrats, aims to be exhaustive and to identify them up to the specific or even sub-specific rank. The overall characterization mentioned mainly concerns, for each quadrat, the type of soil encountered (see attribute dictionary), the slope (see attribute dictionary), the proportions of water cover, bare soil, and litter, as well as, for each of the 6 defined strata (see attribute dictionary): the considered height limits, the maximum and average height, and the proportion of overlap (relative to the 25m2 of the quadrat). This layer gives, for each monitoring quadrat of vegetation sampling from 2021 to 2026, the following information: – Quadrat information (id, code, number and distance from its centroid to the station reference point), – Campaign information (id, code, date, campaign), – Station information (code, name, protocol applied, number of quadrats, code for the associated Sélune reference point and, as a result, positioning on the catchment area, distance to sea, distance to source and watercourse, watercourse reference altitude) – Information on the transect by campaign (number and length, X, Y, LON, LAT coordinates of the reference points “NGF” and end point “bank”) – Information concerning the strata (identified or not), soil typology, water, bare and litter coverings, as well as details for each stratum (name of stratum ‘muscinal’, “herbaceous”, “young plant shrub,” “low shrub', “high shrub” and “arborescent, the height limits of the stratum, the associated overlap, the maximum and average heights of the stratum) – “Point” geometry (default) corresponding to the transect reference point

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 study of riparian vegetation is based on the observation of natural plant communities spontaneously colonizing newly exposed areas following the erasure of the Vezins and La-Roche-Qui-Boit dams. The vegetation monitoring system includes two complementary approaches: i) a vegetation sampling method based on floristic surveys (composition & structure) carried out within a series of quadrats positioned along a transect ii) a monitoring of the vegetation units (UV) observed within the valley This dataset specifically concerns the overall characterization observed on each quadrat in terms of strata and concerns only the Sélune Observatory (2021-2026). The sampling monitoring system is based on measurements distributed at different points in space (longitudinally and laterally). It aims to identify the diversity of flora and vegetation and describe the structure of emerging formations and plant communities within the neo-valley. Implemented annually (sub-annual only for 2021, before dismantling), this monitoring aims to identify and characterize the evolution trajectories of these vegetation over time. The vegetation sampling protocol is implemented at several stations located along the course of the Sélune and at the mouth of several tributaries located in the right-of-way of the two former reservoirs. The sample of stations is supplemented by a batch of stations positioned outside the right-of-way of the two former reservoirs, downstream and upstream, which constitute so-called "reference" stations. For each station, a transect is established perpendicular to the channel, from the bank to a reference point located at the level of the former water reservoir (i.e. 60m NGF for Vezins & 28.5m NGF for LRQB). Along this transect, 25m2 (5mx5m) quadrats are positioned according to previously set distance intervals. These quadrats (named Q1 to Q1+n) constitute the elementary unit within which abiotic (slope, texture...) and biotic (composition, structure) parameters are characterized and evaluated. The number of quadrats sampled per station varies depending on the width of the exposed bank (or transect length). It is completed by a reference quadrat, located beyond this maximum value (named Q0). The inventory of vascular flora, i.e. herbaceous and woody plant species within the quadrats, aims to be exhaustive and to identify them up to the specific or even sub-specific rank. The characterization of cover by plant species on a quadrat allows to present, for each quadrat, all the species identified in the field (taxonomic determination and proportion (%) of cover on the quadrat and for the stratum considered). This layer gives, for each quadrat of each riparian vegetation monitoring station and each campaign of the Sélune Observatory from 2021 to 2026, the following information: – Quadrat information (id, code, number and distance from its centroid to the station reference point), – Campaign information (id, code, date, campaign), – Station information (code, name, protocol applied, number of quadrats, code for the associated Sélune reference point and, as a result, positioning on the catchment area, distance to sea, distance to source and watercourse, watercourse reference altitude) – Information on the transect by campaign (number and length, X, Y, LON, LAT coordinates of the reference points “NGF” and end point “bank”) – Information concerning the identified taxa: taxonomic determination, scientific name, and vernacular, identification stratum and overlap on this stratum – Information regarding the identification stratum: its wording "muscinal", "herbaceous", "young plant shrub", "low shrub", "high shrub" and "arborescent" as well as the height markers – “Point” geometry (default) corresponding to the transect reference point