ECOSOM-Functional ecology: from socio-ecological systems to molecules

Presentation

The Functional Ecology team aims to assess and understand the effects of environmental changes on biological processes (production, decomposition of organic matter, mineralisation, interactions, predation, local extinctions and/or changes in the distribution of certain species, etc.), the dynamics and functioning of ecosystems (adaptation, resilience, functional diversity, food webs) and the socio-ecological system (contributions of nature to man, cultural benefits, urban transition). Using integrated and interdisciplinary approaches, the EcoSoM team will explore the cultural, functional, biological, physiological and chemical responses of ecological systems and their biodiversity to changes in climate, land use, agroforestry practices, artificialisation and traditional uses. We will contribute to understanding the role of local knowledge (pastoralism, use of medicinal plants) and cultural variability in the evolution and distribution of biodiversity and on ecological processes, human health and the dynamics of socio-ecosystems. In the context of global change and environmental transition, the research carried out by the Functional Ecology team will integrate different levels of the continuum of biological organisations (from societies to metabolites and nutrients), types of ecosystem (European forests, agrosystems, mangroves, Mediterranean steppes, scrublands, alpine meadows), biological models (plants, animals, micro-organisms) and their interactions (trophic, allelopathic, etc.).

Based on a detailed understanding of processes and a description of biodiversity, we are developing nature-based solutions aimed at providing societies with tools for sustainable development (ecosystem conservation and restoration, phytoremediation, combating climate change, food security, health).

The Team

Leader of the ECOSOM team
MCF-Maitre de Conferences
Leader of the ECOSOM team
MCF-Maitre de Conferences
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Meryem Aakairi
DC-Doctoring
Sandrine Alibert
MCF-Maitre de Conferences
Celestine Aubouin
DC-Doctoring
Clementine Baccati
DC-Doctoring
Beatrice Baghdikian
MCF-Maitre de Conferences
Virginie Baldy
PR-Professor
Christine Ballini
MCF-Maitre de Conferences
Myriam Bertolotti
ITA-Engineer Administrative Technician
Solène Brasseur
DC-Doctoring
Celia Breaud
DC-Doctoring
Sok-siya Bun
MCF-Maitre de Conferences
Salome Coquin
DC-Doctoring
Emmanuel Corcket
PR-Professor
Lola Czuckermand
DC-Doctoring
Sylvie Dupouyet
ITA-Engineer Administrative Technician
Maximilien Fil
DC-Doctoring
Helene Folzer
MCF-Maitre de Conferences
Elnur Garayev
MCF-Maitre de Conferences
Thierry Gauquelin
ECE - Emeritus Research Teacher
Cheikhouna Gaye
DC-Doctoring
Raphael Gros
MCF-Maitre de Conferences
Arnaud Lechvien
DC-Doctoring
Thibaud Legros
DC-Doctoring
Fathi Mabrouki
ITA-Engineer Administrative Technician
Valerie Mahiou-Leddet
MCF-Maitre de Conferences
Veronique Masotti
MCF-Maitre de Conferences
Claire Menival
DC-Doctoring
Jean-philippe Mevy
MCF-Maitre de Conferences
Elena Ormeno-Lafuente
DR-Research Director
Luc Rangon
ITA-Engineer Administrative Technician
Manon Rocco
PD-Post Doctorant
Charifat Said Hassane
MCF-Maitre de Conferences
Marie-dominique Salducci
ITA-Engineer Administrative Technician
Mathieu Santonja
MCF-Maitre de Conferences
Clementine Saunier
DC-Doctoring
Amélie Saunier
PD-Post Doctorant
Thierry Woignier
DR-Research Director

Collaborations

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Using ethnoecological, ethnopharmacological, ecophysiological, phytochemical and metabolomic approaches, this central theme will aim to analyse the functional interactions between plants and humans and their importance for the dynamics of local knowledge systems, for use in the field of health, for understanding the functioning and trajectories of ecosystems, and for restoring and conserving their biodiversity. We are also contributing to understanding the role of local knowledge (pastoralism, use of medicinal plants), cultural variability and various modes of natural resource management in the evolution and distribution of biodiversity and on biological processes, human health and the dynamics of socio-ecological systems.

The EcoSoM team will study how global changes influence biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. The aim will be to describe, understand and predict the influence of climate change, land use change and other anthropogenic disturbances on the metabolic expression (genes and metabolites) and physiological and population responses of different biological models (plants, animals, terrestrial microorganisms and coastal benthic organisms) and their consequences on fundamental ecological processes (resource allocation trade-offs, interactions, litter degradation, volatile organic compound and CO2 emissions) and the environment (atmospheric and soil quality, fire hazards, etc.).).

The aim of this area will be to analyse the structure of biotic interaction networks (chemical, trophic) within and between different ecological systems (predation and herbivory networks, soil food chains, complex herbivore-plant-pollinator networks, engineering organisms and human-environment relations) and the impact of these interactions on the stability and functional processes at ecosystem scale (i.e. nutrient cycles, intensity of trophic cascades, biomass production, pollination). The EcoSoM team will build on a better description and understanding at different scales (individual, population, species and community of species) of the role of specialised metabolites in biotic interactions and the responses of organisms to biotic and abiotic conditions in their environment. Based on the functional traits of organisms, this area will also improve our ability to predict the evolution of interaction networks and associated processes in the context of climate change.