Serapias – a rare orchid species, has been found in a military base in Corsica (a French island) with a population exceeding 155,000 individuals. Additionally, this area has recorded a total of 552 plant species over just 550 hectares, including 19 species protected in France.
This rich biodiversity bestows a sacred responsibility on this military base.
In the region of Corsica, hidden from the eyes of locals and tourists, lies a population with an unprecedented ratio of a rare orchid species: the Forgotten Serapias (Serapias gonea). In a closed military base on the eastern side of the island, researchers discovered 155,000 individuals of this plant species.
Plants on the island of Corsica.
Globally, this orchid species can only be found in southern France (including Corsica), Italy, and along the eastern coast of the Adriatic, but no populations are known to be as abundant as those in Solenzara.
Researchers from the Functional Ecology and Evolution Center (CEFE) and the consulting firm Ecotonia, including Margaux Julien, Dr. Bertrand Schatz, Simon Contant, and Gérard Filippi, found this population while studying the diversity of plants at the Solenzara Air Base. Their research, published in the journal Biodiversity Data, recorded an impressive richness of plants, including 12 other orchid species.
The maintenance of this closed military facility has surprisingly proven beneficial for the growth of orchids. Flowers are abundant around the edges of the runway and on the lawns near military buildings.
The meadows surrounding the airport are regularly trimmed for security reasons, allowing orchids to thrive in a low-vegetation environment with minimal competition. Furthermore, the historical context of the land, situated on the old bed of the Travo River, facilitates low vegetation, providing a substrate just a few centimeters below the surface.
The research team wrote: “The case of S. gonea is particularly noteworthy because this species benefits from national protection status and is an endemic subspecies with a very localized distribution worldwide.” Moreover, this species is listed as endangered in the World and European Red Lists by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
The consulting firm Ecotonia has also conducted several surveys at the air base, finding biodiversity at an exceptionally rich level: 552 plant species, including 19 species protected in France. Within just 550 hectares, they discovered 23% of the plant species distributed in Corsica. Among these are several very rare plant species, as well as species at risk of extinction such as Gratiola (Gratiola officinalis and Anthemis arvensis subsp. incrassate, a subspecies of corn chamomile.
The Solenzara military base harbors a rich plant diversity thanks to its history, management, and lack of public access. While the Corsican coastline is undergoing urbanization, this area stands as a testament to local flora, with several species having conservation status.
Protecting this richness is crucial. “If logistical developments are carried out on this site, they must prioritize the conservation of this particularly special plant biodiversity, especially the exceptionally rich orchid species. The military base presents a wonderful opportunity for species conservation and will benefit from enhanced research conclusions.”
