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 "For many years, biodiversity was considered separately by ecologists who focused on a wild and natural state as being in equilibrium, and by agronomists who studied the diversity of genetic resources for domesticated species. It is now widely acknowledged that biodiversity is a dynamic process influenced by human intervention, notably by agriculture that fashions our country to a considerable degree, and that many lessons can be learned from cross-disciplinary studies by both ecologists and agronomists.
INRA's scientific expert report on Agriculture and Biodiversity has highlighted the knowledge acquired to date regarding the impact of agriculture on the biodiversity of natural areas and the services that they can provide to farming. It has also shown how much of the functioning of agro-ecosystems is still to be discovered. Our ambition is to better describe and understand biodiversity at different levels – genes, species, ecosystems, landscapes –, and the interactions that occur both between these levels and with agricultural practices.
This work constitutes a new challenge for agricultural research which must contribute to actions in an uncertain world. The vulnerability and value of biodiversity require action, and to that end, research contribution is essential in order to understand, evaluate and propose innovations."
Marion Guillou
President of INRA
> Download document "Biodiversity and Agriculture" (PDF, 700kO)
Recent research at INRA
> National inventory and mapping of microbial biodiversity in soils
The analysis of the abundance and diversity of soil micro-organisms in order to constitute an inventory of the biodiversity of French soils and to assess the impact of different uses (agricultural, industrial, urban) of soils on this biodiversity.
> Identification of species from their DNA: launch of a database
Launch of a database making it possible to identify organisms from the sequencing of their genome and the analysis of their DNA.
> Evaluating biodiversity: informing the choice of criteria and indicators for public policies
The comparative study of biological, ecological and economic criteria making it possible to define and measure biodiversity in order to guide decision-makers in their choices of conservation or valorisation policies.
> Evolutions affecting the adventive flora of sunflower over 30 years
The functional analysis of the evolution of the adventive flora of sunflower over a period of 30 years demonstrates a specialisation of the flora present in this crop. Analysis of the biological characteristics of these weeds has made it possible to observe that the species favoured by the more widespread cultivation of this crop present some biological similarities with sunflower.
> A method to better characterise species-rich grasslands
INRA researchers are proposing a new method based on the functional types of plants to evaluate species-rich grasslands. In a context where grasslands are seeing a resurgence of importance, this method will allow farmers to better manage their fodder resources and development agents to provide more appropriate advice.
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See also
