The Blackcurrant Creeks in Marseilles

The massive creeks is a particular ecosystem. The soil is almost nonexistent, the limestone cliffs are extended talus covered numerous faults and fissures in which anchor the plant roots.

This xéricité associated with salt spray conditions the subsistence of suitable vegetation: heather Erica multiflora, spiny cushions of the talus in Marseille, laurel, oak kermes, sarsaparilla, Aleppo pine and juniper accompanying endemic species such as bracken or centipede grass Gouffé, which is almost a symbol of the creeks.

In total, we can consider that 83 species are protected nationally or regionally, or entered on the endangered species list.

The habitat inventory was conducted as part of studies are twenty six Natura 2000 natural habitats with a further forty mixed habitats. There are four broad, rocky habitats with cliffs and scree slopes, with pine forest habitats climax, open habitats such as grasslands and scrublands and coastal habitats. There is a fifth set of habitats that you will not see images, strictly related to the sources. Its surface is very limited, it is moist habitats, they are rare and therefore should be strongly protected.

See also the very detailed site of Eric, Dominique and Thierry: Flowers of the Creeks