Ecological Processes and Services (PROSE)

The activities of PROSE team are based on four research topics.

Topic 1 Understanding the mechanisms of action of biosolutions

These include biocontrol techniques, biofertilisers, biostimulants and so on. The aim is to facilitate their integration into cropping systems.

Topic 2 Manipulating functional biodiversity at the level of the cropping system

Studies are being conducted into its own or combined effect on the key functions of the agro-ecosystem and the associated services. A distinction is made between 'planned' biodiversity, chosen by the farmer, and 'associated' biodiversity, which naturally colonises an agro-ecosystem via the surrounding environment; similarly, 'introduced' biodiversity is distinguished from 'resident' biodiversity.

Topic 3 Landscape approach

This is approached as a context or as a scale of organisation for certain ecological processes, such as pest and disease flows.

Topic 4 Cross-disciplinary approach

The processes explored in the first three areas are integrated into this cross-disciplinary area, through the modelling and management of databases and collaborative platforms. The aim is to capitalise on the results and establish rules for optimising the provision of ecosystem services and the efficient use of resources, in line with the performance objectives of production systems. It will ensure compatibility between the data collected in the various areas and, more generally, the optimisation of data collection to serve the purpose of an overall model.