Our Joint Research Unit applies the framework and concepts of functional ecology, in order to understand the role of plants and soil organisms (roots, ecosystem engineers, microfauna, microorganisms) and their interactions in determining coupled carbon, nitrogen and phophorus fluxes in soil-plant systems. Our research also focuses on the different ways in which land use change and climate can modify soil-plant system functioning.
Our research activities are structured in 3 research themes and 2 transversal axes:
Theme 1 “Biodiversity and Ecological functions in soils”
Objectives:
This research theme (Tdr1) aims to understand soil processes derived from biological interactions in agroecosystems, and under agronomic and climatic drivers. Our scale of interest begins from hotspots and hot moments to soil profiles, field and cropping season. Our research integrates works performed by Tdr2 and Tdr3 to design tools and to propose new agroecological insights.
Theme 2 “Soil/plant Interactions and biogeochemical coupling” sets out to identify and understand the abiotic and biological mechanisms involved in the coupling and closing of nutrients biogeochemical cycles at different scales (from the soil profile to the field).
Theme 3 "Carbon and global climate change" sets out to understand the factors and main processes of primary production, carbon sequestration and the sustainability of agrosystems subject to climate change.