Ecrins National Park Page 3 of 4 Climate of the Ecrins 'The Ecrins" is situated at a biological and climatic crossroads, in the heart of the French Alps. Thus there are four main climatic areas: the north, where the presence of spruces on the north-facing slopes testifies to a northerly (cold and wet) influence. the west, whence thick clouds bearing heavy rainfalls are blown in, encouraging the growth of forests that can withstand humidity such as beeches and firs. the south, where the effects of the Mediterranean sea are felt as they drift up the Durance valley to Embrun and to the southern slopes of the upper Champsaur valley where lavender and pine trees are found. the east, where the inner Alps have a cold, dry and sunny atmosphere which encourages the growth of larch trees throughout the whole of the area around Briançon. This wide range in climatic conditions is reflected in the plant life to be found within the park land which, if we include the peripheral zone, contains approximately 2,000 species of flora about half the species existing in France. The park’s fauna includes most alpine species such as chamois, marmots and ermines among the animals and many other vertebrates such as alpine newts, grass-snakes and frogs. In addition, there are 110 different species of birds. The park also has numerous species of insects and invertebrates. Marmots are common in the National Park There is relatively little forest land within the park (less than 59% of the central zone). On the other hand, a large proportion of park is taken up by alpine pastures and moorlands covered with rhododendrons and dwarf junipers. Together, these two types of terrain make up large areas of pastureland whose steep slopes and vegetation mean that it is mostly turned over to sheep farming. In fact, since people first came to the valleys, the region has been one of small village communities living off mountain farming and sheep-rearing and confronted with problems of communication between the neighbouring valleys. Thus each valley has developed its own individuality which has its own traditions, customs and architecture. The local population has been greatly affected by the drift from the land over the last hundred years and is now having to face the problem of how to handle the changes within its communities. People have had a profound effect on the landscape throughout the area shown in the form of deserted hamlets, fields surrounded by dry stone walls, and overgrown paths half lost among the grasses. It was people who cleared the slopes, marked out and cultivated the fields, built the villages and hamlets in short, they moulded the countryside into the landscape that we know today. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Page 3 of 4