Scientific targets

Axe 1 : Continuum terrestrial-aquatic

The objective is to achieve significant progress in understanding the sources, transfer, transformation and storage of carbon along the terrestrial–aquatic continuum. This research axis examines carbon transfers in their various forms (inorganic, organic and dissolved gases), the transformation of organic molecules, and the assessment of carbon‑storage potentials across different types of aquatic ecosystems (riparian, estuarine or coastal, in Arctic, sub‑Arctic, temperate or tropical contexts).

DEEP-C / TROPECOS / CABESTAN / PEACE / CarboNium

Axe 2 : Interactions between biogeochemical cycles

The biogeochemical cycles of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are strongly coupled in both natural and managed terrestrial ecosystems. Throughout the soil–plant–atmosphere continuum, carbon transformations are constrained by stoichiometric relationships with other nutrients. Water availability can also play a major role in this coupling. A better understanding of the nutrient‑mediated trade‑offs between carbon storage in plants and in soils is essential for accurately predicting changes in ecosystem carbon stocks.

The objective of this research axis is to improve our understanding of biogeochemical functioning and to design agricultural and forest systems that enhance carbon storage and close N and P cycles. This will be achieved through collaboration between research communities working on natural and managed ecosystems.

CANETE / Drought-ForC / PEACE / CarboNium / CrosyeN / GREENSCALE / RhizoSeqC / RIFT

Axe 3 : Biomasse production and use

The objective of this research axis is to generate and make accessible key knowledge on the factors that determine the traits and productivity of terrestrial and aquatic plants. In addition to environmental impacts, this thematic axis also considers the economic viability and social acceptability of innovative pathways for biomass production and use.

RhizoSeqC / GREENSCALE / CO2_CMPhi / CrosyeN 

Axe 4 : Social and economic issues

Through this thematic axis, the programme aims to better understand, represent and assess the causal chain linking behaviours, public policies and environmental and economic impacts. The analysis of the determinants of economic behaviour concerns, of course, the supply side (changes in agricultural practices, land use and land‑tenure management, etc.), food demand (emergence of new consumption patterns, food waste, etc.), as well as distribution systems and international trade and their role in price formation.

PREFALIM / CLIM-FAS