Functional Ecology & Biochemistry of Soils & Agroecosystems
The unit studies the joint changes within agro-ecosystems in plant and soil functioning as a result of global change and changes in farming practices. Based on scientific expertise, its research develops practices intended to maintain and improve the agricultural and environmental functions of agro-ecosystems.
The Joint Research Unit's work serves to describe, understand and forecast the ecological processes of primary production and regulation of carbon, greenhouse gas and nutrient flows. Within an overall functional ecology approach, the unit studies the role of soil organisms and plants and their interactions within bio-geochemical cycles in soils and agro-ecosystems. Its studies of biological regulation and interlinked carbon, water and nutrient flows are based on modelling, long-term field observations, in situ experiments and experiments under controlled conditions. The environments studied are primarily low-input Mediterranean and tropical agro-ecosystems.