IMBE – Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Ecologie marine et continentale

Parcs photovoltaïques : que devient la végétation sous les panneaux ?

Borchiellini Carole — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 07:40:01 +0000

The rapid expansion of solar energy is transforming landscapes and natural habitats. A study published in Environmental Research Communications focuses on one of these effects: What happens to the vegetation in solar parks?

Researchers at the IMBE have studied 161 parks in France, Germany and the United Kingdom, based on 2,429 surveys carried out between 2016 and 2025. Their findings show that the Solar panels reduce vegetation cover and the number of species found directly beneath the panels, where they encourage the growth of plants that are better suited to shade. The management of plots through grazing or mowing also influences the composition of the vegetation, but to varying degrees depending on the area of the park. The study also reveals that The site’s history prior to the installation of the panels continues to influence biodiversity several years later : Parks established on former wooded areas therefore have a lower species richness than those developed on former industrial sites.

These findings show that biodiversity in solar parks does not depend solely on the presence of solar panels or how they are managed, but also on the characteristics and history of the soil. They therefore highlight the importance of to consider the restoration and management of these spaces in accordance with the local context, in particular by promoting species suited to the shaded conditions beneath the panels and by reintroducing grassland species where necessary.

Offre de stage M2 “Effets d’une translocation de vers de terre et d’apports de matières organiques sur les fonctions d’un sol steppique méditerranéen artificialisé”

Borchiellini Carole — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 07:18:27 +0000

UMR 7263 IMBE and theUMR 1114 EMMAH offer a 6-month Master’s (Year 2) placement, in Avignon, from January/February 2027.

The work placement is part of a project to ecological restoration of degraded soils in the Crau plain, through the implementation of nature-based solutions. In particular, the intern will take part in field monitoring of introduced earthworm populations and in a laboratory experiment using soil columns, with a view to assessing their contribution to the restoration of the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils.

The work placement will be supervised by Lison Défossé (IMBE/INRAE – University of Avignon), Céline Pelosi (INRAE) and Thierry Dutoit (CNRS – IMBE).

📍 Venue: Avignon – UMR IMBE and UMR EMMAH

👤 Required profile: A university degree or engineering qualification in soil science, with an interest in soil fauna, ecological restoration and the impacts of land development. A good command of statistical analysis and modelling would be an advantage.

📅 Applications must be submitted by 1 November 2026
Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis.

📄 Find the full course description and application details.

L’hétérogénéité paysagère en montagne méditerranéenne façonnent une mosaïque microclimatique de phénomènes d’atténuation ou d’amplification du climat régional

Borchiellini Carole — Mon, 7 Sep 2026 09:14:23 +0000

The study of microclimates reveals critical differences between regional climates and local conditions.

A study carried out in the Sainte-Baume mountains by Laureline Leclerc, Frédéric Médail, Lenka Brousset, Emmanuel Corcket, Marie Finocchiaro, Daniel Pavon, Arne Saatkamp and Eric Meineri, and published in Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, reveals the existence of a veritable mosaic of microclimates within a Mediterranean landscape.

Over a period of 15 months, 60 sensors spread across 30 hectares, in areas characterised by varied topography and vegetation structure, measured local variations in temperature and humidity.

In summer, maximum temperatures could locally be up to 8.3 °C lower or 10.8 °C higher than those expected based on the regional climate.

Microclimates may also be decoupled from the regional climate, and may warm more slowly or more rapidly than the macroclimate.

The relative importance of topography and vegetation as factors responsible for these landscape variations is explained: topography is a decisive factor in all seasons, whilst the effect of vegetation – particularly tree cover – predominates by far during the growing season.

These very fine-scale contrasts could provide certain species with more favourable local conditions in the face of climate change. Conversely, some areas may amplify the effects of global warming and expose organisms to more extreme temperature and water conditions.

These findings therefore highlight the importance of taking microclimates into account in order to better understand and anticipate the responses of Mediterranean ecosystems to climate change.

Deux doctorantes de l’IMBE récompensées au colloque international SERE 2026

Borchiellini Carole — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 08:01:45 +0000

Both are PhD students at the University of Avignon, working within the team EECAR from the IMBE, Lison Défossé and Marina Reis were honoured at the 15th European Conference on Ecological Restoration (SERE 2026), which took place from 24 to 28 August in Brest.

Lison Défossé was awarded the 2nd prize and Marina Reis on 3rd prize for the best student oral presentation, for their respective presentations:

Can sealed soils recover? The effects of decompaction on soil biodiversity after 50 years of soil sealing, and prospects for nature-based restoration
Functional strategies for the establishment of native grasses: insights from a BEF experiment in the Cerrado

This distinction is particularly noteworthy at an international conference which brought together nearly 600 participants, with more than 100 oral presentations by students in the running for these awards.

The IMBE extends its warmest congratulations to Lison and Marina on this wonderful recognition of the quality of their work and their presentations!

Conserver les données et les liens pour faire avancer la recherche

Borchiellini Carole — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 14:41:36 +0000

Scientific reviews now make it possible to bring together data produced in different countries to address global issues.
However, it is essential that this data – some of which was collected several years ago – remains accessible and can be reused.
A study published on 24 August 2026 in PNAS is a fine example of this.

It brings together data on 742 plant species from 24 studies carried out across six continents.
The aim was to compare the characteristics of plants in old-growth grasslands with those in grasslands that have developed following disturbance to an old-growth grassland (crops, soil tillage, etc.).

Thierry Dutoit and Elise Buisson, from the IMBE, contributed to this study using data collected by five of their PhD students. This data accounts for more than 20 % of the data used in this global synthesis.

The results show that plants in secondary grasslands are generally larger and have leaves with a higher nitrogen content and a greater leaf area. They are therefore better adapted to rapid growth and the acquisition of resources. Conversely, plants in established grasslands are better adapted to conserving resources.
Remarkably, These differences may persist for more than a century after the destruction of the original grasslands. In particular, they could permanently alter the functioning of ecosystems and accelerate the nutrient cycle.
These results highlight the’the importance of preserving historic grasslands and suggest ways to restore their biodiversity.

The study also shows the’the importance of retaining data generated during research.
But simply storing data is not always enough: Maintaining links between PhD students and their supervisors is also essential.
These exchanges help us to better understand historical data and to retrieve information that is not always available in databases.

This study thus illustrates how data collected locally can, several years later, contribute to scientific research carried out on a global scale.

Canicule marine : la biodiversité marseillaise de nouveau sous pression

Borchiellini Carole — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 14:36:34 +0000

Following an exceptionally hot June in the Mediterranean, the first effects of the marine heatwave are already being observed in the waters off Marseille. Sea fans and sponges, which are particularly vulnerable to high temperatures, are showing further signs of stress.

Four years on from the exceptional event of 2022, which had a severe impact on shallow-water marine communities, scientists at the IMBE are closely monitoring how the situation is developing and the populations’ ability to recover.

Thierry Perez, Research Director at the CNRS, and Marie Grenier, a postdoctoral researcher in the’NEMO team, both of whom are sponge experts, give evidence in Provence initial findings and the uncertainties that remain regarding the extent of the impacts of this new marine heatwave.

👉 Find out more in the article by Provence Thursday 20 August 2026: «Marine heatwave: the first effects, despite some unknowns»

Biodiversité des grottes marines des Caraïbes : un inventaire inédit de petits crustacés et la découverte de nouvelles espèces

Borchiellini Carole — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 09:59:38 +0000

The largely unexplored sea caves of the Caribbean are home to a secretive and as yet little-understood fauna, which researchers are only just beginning to uncover.

A new article published in ZooKeys, co-signed by Karl Wittmann and Pierre Chevaldonné (IMBE, CNRS, NEMO team), highlights this unexpected richness.

Based on samples taken during the mission TRIVIA-2 In the Lesser Antilles, supplemented by further sampling and the study of museum collections, researchers have identified 27 species of mysidaceans, small crustaceans similar to prawns.

Some of these species live exclusively in these underground habitats, whilst others are simply associated with them. The study combines morphological observations and genetic analyses to gain a better understanding of the relationships between these species and to refine their classification.

A number of significant discoveries are presented, including the description of new species and even the creation of a new genus. This research has also made it possible to extend the range of certain species, which are now found in the Caribbean.

By bringing together data from fieldwork, collections and the literature, this study provides a comprehensive overview of the mysidaceans found in the region’s sea caves. It constitutes a a valuable resource for better understanding and preserving these unassuming yet exceptionally rich ecosystems.

A écouter : Alerte aux fourmis envahissantes en France, quels dangers pour l’homme et la faune ?

Borchiellini Carole — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 06:58:51 +0000

Olivier Blight, a lecturer and researcher at IMBE, has sounded the alarm over the spread of the electric ant in the Var

La Wasmannia auropunctata, nicknamed the «electric ant» because of the intensity of its sting, is one of the world’s most worrying invasive species. In a podcast broadcast on 23 June 2026 on Radio France, on the programme The Earth Squared, Olivier Blight reports that a third outbreak was detected in spring 2026 in Cavalaire-sur-Mer, in the Var.

Native to South America, this tiny ant delivers a very painful sting and poses a serious threat to biodiversity by eliminating local insects and species. Difficult to eradicate as it hides everywhere, it is the subject of an active campaign to control it: insecticides, drones and mapping of affected areas.

Scientists believe that eradication remains possible on areas of less than 10 hectares, but becomes very complex beyond that. Its introduction is often linked to the horticultural trade.

Another invasive species, the Asian fire ant, has also been detected in the region and poses a risk to human health.

In the face of these growing threats, vigilance remains essential. To better understand the scale of the phenomenon and the issues it raises, Four podcasts broadcast in 2024 are still available to listen to.

LA STATION MARINE D’ENDOUME, 150 ans d’héritage naturaliste au service des grands défis environnementaux du XXIe siècle

Borchiellini Carole — Wed, 1 July 2026 07:50:56 +0000

The Endoume Marine Station as told by Thierry Pérez

Situated on the Marseille seafront, the Endoume Marine Station is an iconic site in the research into marine ecology for over 150 years. Founded in the late 19th century, it has played a part in the major advances in oceanography, from the earliest naturalist studies to the most modern scientific approaches.

Now part of the Pythéas University Scientific Unit (OSU), it is home to cutting-edge research teams studying the marine biodiversitythe functioning of ecosystems and impacts of global change. Thanks to advanced technical resources and a strong culture of fieldwork, scientists there explore both the Mediterranean Sea and the world’s oceans.

Situated at the crossroads of fundamental research and societal challenges, the Endoume Marine Station plays an active role in the conservation of marine environments and our understanding of the major environmental challenges of the 21st century.

👉 Pop into your local bookshop to read the article by Thierry Pérez in the journal Marseille and delve into 150 years of history and the current challenges facing marine ecology.

Portrait d’une exploratrice du vivant, décrypté par Jean-Yves Meunier

Borchiellini Carole — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 12:30:31 +0000

🦋 Observing, collecting, documenting: Lucy Evelyn Cheesman made the field her laboratory

In this previously unseen video, Jean-Yves Meunier, an entomologist and ecologist at the IRD’s IMBE, sheds light on the life and career of Lucy Evelyn Cheesman, a pioneer of scientific exploration.

Through his expert perspective, he puts things into perspective the significance of Lucy Evelyn Cheesman’s work and its lasting contribution to our understanding of living organisms.

From the 1920s onwards, Lucy Evelyn Cheesman led several scientific expeditions in the Pacific and South-East Asia to study the biodiversity of regions that had as yet been little documented. Her research made it possible to collect and describe numerous species, thereby considerably expanding scientific knowledge of insects and tropical ecosystems.

She also became the first female curator of the entomological collection at the Zoological Society of London. Her work contributed to development of natural history collections, which are essential for the study and understanding of biodiversity.

🎥 You simply must take a look at this portrait of a woman!