The Bois de Chateau-Lion ZNIEFF is one of the major sites in southern Haute-Marne. It is located on a vast hill and covers both its summit and slopes.
For nature lovers:
A variety of forest types can be found here, depending on the soil and exposure: calcicolous oak-cedar-beech forest on the plateau, dental beech forest on the northern slopes, xerophilous sedge beech forest on the sunny slopes, and pubescent oak forest, a rare southern forest grouping located here in a very warm microclimate. The plateau features some very spectacular lapiaz. Relict grasslands remain on the edge of the wood, evidence of the extensive grazing that once covered the area.
Vegetation:
Around ten rare or very rare plant species, often endangered in Haute-Marne, mostly of mountain or southern origin depending on the exposure, can be found here: the three-lobed liverwort, on the Champagne-Ardenne red list in the category of very rare species threatened with extinction, a xeriscale shrub, the very thorny rose, the small-flowered potentilla (a southern species at the limit of its range), the long-leaved cephalanthemum, white violet (at the limit of its range) in thermophilous forests, unilateral pyrolea and small pyrolea in pine forests, crowned coronilla (present in only three localities in Haute-Marne, at the limit of its range and protected in Champagne-Ardenne) on the fringes, and apennine helianthemum in relict grasslands.
Fauna:
The site is frequented by numerous birds (around thirty of which 23 are protected), in particular the woodlark (vulnerable and declining, on the red list of breeding birds in Champagne-Ardenne) and certain birds of prey. There is also a varied entomofaunal population and various reptiles, including the green lizard, which is protected in France and is on the red list of vulnerable reptiles in Champagne-Ardenne. This area is also of geological interest (large areas of lapiaz) and archaeological interest (imposing Iron Age barred spur). It is in a generally good state of conservation.
Undeveloped site
Access reserved for an informed and respectful public
Bois de Château-Lion
