Currently, I am in the process of earning my Ph.D. in ecology at Aix Marseille University and IMBE (PPM team), with an expected thesis defense date set for September 2024. My research is primarily focused on unraveling the effects of habitat fragmentation on biodiversity. Employing an empirical approach deeply rooted in the principles of landscape ecology, my research comprises a series of meticulously designed landscape ecology experiments on artificial microcosms. These experiments are aimed at simulating conditions within fragmented landscapes, thereby shedding light on the intricate interplay between two critical variables affecting population dynamics : the spatial arrangement of remaining habitats (habitat configuration) and the potential for organisms to traverse habitat remnants in the landscape (matrix permeability). As a model organism, we use Collembola (Folsomia candida), a widely recognized prey species. Our research methodology involves the use of photographs and AI techniques for the weekly monitoring of the dynamics of a multigenerational population exposed to different landscape connectivity scenarios.

My doctoral research is an integral part of the MINILAND component of SCALED, a groundbreaking 5-year project spearheaded by Dr. Cécile Albert, my thesis supervisor (as well as Dr. Benoît Geslin and Dr. Mathieu Santonja). This ambitious initiative is funded by the European Research Council (ERC) through the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program. SCALED aims to address the ongoing discourse surrounding the potential offered by the management of habitat configuration, matrix permeability, and habitat amount. To achieve this, the project combines modeling techniques with empirical approaches, all at varying spatial scales and across multiple organisms. SCALED aspires to yield conclusive scientific evidence to guide decision-makers in the realms of conservation and territorial planning.