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Sparasion emarginatumKieffer, 1906 est signalé pour le première fois en France, de trois localités différentes. Sparasion emarginatumKieffer, 1906, new species for the French fauna (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) Sparasion emarginatumKieffer, 1906 is recorded from France for the first time, from three different localities.

International audience; Mediterranean olive oil producers have multiple incentives for adopting circular business models and better resource management, facing water scarcity and huge amounts of waste, but also seeing new opportunities for value creation. This article aimed to understand how circular business models valorizing olive oil waste and by-products are implemented. Ten business cases from six Mediterranean countries were studied, mainly based on semi-structured interviews with enterprise managers. Data were analyzed according to the business model canvas elements, success factors, and barriers while considering the institutional context. The results highlight the diversity of activities, types of resources used, and partnerships and products offered in different market segments. The principles of biowaste conversion and circularity, such as cascading, upcycling, recycling, and recovering, are all applied. The key success factors comprise an environmental concern, knowledge about biotechnologies, markets and logistics, a long-term commitment to the sector, local availability of resources, legislation, subsidies, and product acceptance by consumers. The main barriers include a lack of specific public financial support, an insufficient knowledge transfer from research to olive oil producers, and a lack of articulation of needs for research by the enterprises. More public-private collaborations and multi-stakeholder projects are needed for further shifting to a circular economy in the olive oil sector.

International audience

International audience; The circular economy and bioeconomy can contribute to transitioning towards more sustainable production and consumption in the olive oil sector. This article is the first to analyse multi-actor strategies and multi-level socioeconomic conditions for olive oil waste and by-product valorisation in the Mediterranean area using circular bioeconomy principles. Government policies, the strategies of corporations and farmers and consumers' perceptions are discussed, and various methods are applied, such as desk reviews, case studies and quantitative and qualitative surveys. The findings show strong aspirations for improved sustainability in the olive industry. Furthermore, waste and by-product valorisation strategies foster the creation of innovative practices. However, a common regulatory framework, public financial measures, new circular business models using innovative technologies, multi-actor collaboration and increased consumer awareness of the circular economy and new olive oil waste-based products are necessary for more efficient and sustainable use of olive resources. The policy and management recommendations presented in this study may aid in improving and innovating frameworks and practices for better sustainable management of valuable olive resources.

International audience

International audience

Lien vers la version française : https://www.med-amin.org/en/ressources-2/files/docs-communication/reports-rapport/396-bulletin-avancees-ete-2020/file; International audience; This document presents the progress of harvests and planting in the MED-Amin countries based on data collected from the network’s focal points and from various sources as appropriate (press releases from the Ministries of Agriculture or their Grain Offices, international organizations mentioned hereafter, private consulting companies or press articles).For each monitored crop (wheat, barley, maize and rice), this information is preceded by a report of the world market and harvest outlook of the main producing countries. Figures are based on information provided by monitoring and analysis organizations, mainly the International Grains Council - IGC (checked early August at https://www.igc.int/en/markets/marketinfo-sd.aspx, the Grain Market Report of 23 July), the USDA (WASDE report of 12 August, the Crop Progress report of 10 August and Wheat Outlook of 14 August), FAO-AMIS (Market Monitor of July (data as of 2 July) and GEOGLAM Crop Monitor for AMIS of July (data as of 28 July), and https://app.amis-outlook.org/#/market-database/view-and-compare), the European Commission - DG AGRI (JRC MARS Bulletins of 24 August, the JRC MARS Bulletin for North Africa of 15 June and https://agridata.ec.europa.eu/extensions/DashboardCereals/CerealsProduction.html updated on 30 July).

International audience; The present bulletin is a general outlook on the cereal harvest in the Mediterranean region . It provides early qualitative forecasting of the 2020 harvest on three cereals crops: Soft wheat, durum wheat and barley. The first bulletin provides an assessment of the situation at the end of March will be followed by a second assessment of the situation at the end of April and published in June.

International audience; The promotion of optimum rotations and agricultural management of winter wheat-based cropping systems is very critical, as wheat is considered an essential component in the Mediterranean diet. Considering the delicate economic situation of farmers in the Mediterranean area, recommending a low risk, sustainable farming system is desirable. In this study, an innovative application of a multi-criteria field-level approach is presented, targeting food security, farmer profitability and environmental sustainability. The CropSyst biophysical simulation model was calibrated and implemented for the study site. It was chosen for its agro-environmental robustness to simulate four rotations (wheat-wheat, wheat-fallow, wheat-potato, and wheat-fava bean). Four types of wheat agricultural management systems (full fertilization and full irrigation, full fertilization and zero irrigation, zero fertilization and full irrigation, and zero fertilization and irrigation) were tested in low and high soil water holding capacity (WHC) types. The effects of soil conditions, management practices and rotation type on wheat grain yields were assessed. Furthermore, the performance of each winter wheat-based cropping system was evaluated in terms of productivity (protein production and profitability) and the efficient use of resources (nitrogen and water), as well as the economic risk of low relative productivity each one engenders. The results show that there is no particular optimal scenario that can simultaneously ensure high productivity, reduce economic risk of low relative productivity, and achieve high wheat- water- and nitrogen-use efficiency. However, the wheat-fava bean rotation cultivated with no wheat fertilization appeared to be a better substitute to the wheat-wheat rotation in terms of protein production (0.93 t/ha versus 0.8 t/ha in low WHC soil and 1.34 t/ha versus 1.17 t/ha in high WHC). This cropping system achieved a higher net profit (2111 US$/ha versus 1222US$/ha in low WHC and 3550 US$/ha versus 2450 US$/ha in high WHC), showing high resource-use efficiency and was less risky for farmers. Moreover, a very high profit could only be attained with the wheat-potato rotation (8640 US$/ha and 12,170 US$/ha in low and high WHC, respectively), yet with low input-efficiency and high economic risk of low relative productivity.

International audience

International audience

International audience

International audience; The emergence and rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus on all continents has been sending singular signals in international markets and countries' economies. The Mediterranean (especially its Southern and Eastern rims) is not spared, being one of the most sensitive regions to world prices volatility due to its dependence on international trade. The objectives of this report are to inform the general public with facts and figures related to the threats of COVID-19 on the agri-food sector of the CIHEAM member countries and to document policy responses to those threats, with emphasis on innovative measures taken by governments. The content of the report is based on information collected from the focal points of the MED-Amin network. It focuses on the grain sector, in particular on cereals. It illustrates the importance of multilateral action and international dialogue related to food security in the region.

International audience; The present bulletin is a general outlook on the cereal harvest in the Mediterranean region. It provides early qualitative forecasting of the 2020 cereal campaign, with a particular focus on soft wheat, durum wheat and barley. This is the final update which provides an assessment of thesituation at mid-June.

International audience; After the success of the 1st edition of Montpellier in 2016, CIHEAM organized the 2nd edition of the Mediterranean initiative for PhD students and young researchers (MedForum2018) at CIHEAM Bari (Italy) from 18 to 20 September 2018. MedForum2018, entitled “Research and Innovation: Tools for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security”, focused on the CIHEAM Strategic Agenda 2025 (CAPMED2025) and its Action Plan developed for the implementation of the United-Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in specific fields across the Mediterranean area. Through research work of PhD students and young researchers, MedForum2018 aimed at: - Fostering entrepreneurship, women and youth employment; - Identifying and sharing potential innovation tools geared towards integrated solutions for sustainable agriculture, food and nutrition security; - Enhancing research and innovation impact at national and regional level; - Proposing alternatives to prevent young researchers’ migrations. MedForum2018 was organized by CIHEAM in partnership with MAECI-Italy (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation), CMI (Center for Mediterranean Integration of the World Bank), UfM (Union for the Mediterranean), Agreenium (Institut Agronomique, Vétérinaire et Forestier de France) and with the technical collaboration of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

International audience; L’émergence et la propagation rapide du virus COVID-19 sur tous les continents ont envoyé des signaux forts sur les marchés internationaux et les économies des pays. La Méditerranée (en particulier ses rives Sud et Est) n’est pas épargnée, étant l’une des régions les plus sensibles à la volatilité des prix mondiaux en raison de sa dépendance vis-à-vis du commerce international. Les objectifs de ce rapport sont d’informer le grand public avec des faits et des données liés aux menaces du COVID-19 sur le secteur agroalimentaire des pays membres du CIHEAM et de documenter les réponses politiques à ces menaces, en mettant l’accent sur les mesures novatrices prises par les gouvernements. Le contenu du rapport est basé sur les informations recueillies à partir des points focaux du réseau MED-Amin. Il se concentre sur le secteur des grains, en particulier sur celui des céréales. Il illustre l’importance de l’action multilatérale et du dialogue international sur la sécurité alimentaire dans la région.

International audience; The present bulletin is a general outlook on the cereal harvest in the Mediterranean region . It provides early qualitative forecasting of the 2020 cereal campaign, with a particular focus on soft wheat, durum wheat and barley. The second bulletin provides an assessment of the situation at the end of April. It will be followed by a last update in June.

International audience

This work was supported by the Daniel and Nina Carasso Foundation (Grant Number: 00030240) and CGIAR Research Programme Agriculture for Nutrition and Health; International audience; Food systems are highly complex and are driven by many economic, social, cultural, and environmental factors. In order to meet global challenges in the coming decades, a better knowledge of food system dynamics is essential to better understand how to strengthen food and nutrition security outcomes simultaneously and improve the social, environmental, and economic performance of food systems. There is a constant call for enhanced metrics to design and implement policies that address the nexus of agriculture, food, health, and the environment. Policymakers, researchers, and local practitioners are thus striving towards the identification and development of indicators in support of sustainable food systems. This chapter reports on a joint project led by Bioversity International and the International Center for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies-Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Montpellier (CIHEAM-IAMM) to build consensus among the multidisciplinary food research community around a set of indicators (specific to the Mediterranean context) that can assess the different dimensions of the sustainability of food systems with the view to inform policymakers. Applying a Delphi survey, consensus was finally reached after three rounds of consultations involving 52 experts for 14 indicators. The application of the Delphi method in the study provides several lessons to enhance validity, replicability, participation, and consensus for further Delphi surveys.

International audience

Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) is one of the dominant conifer species in the Mediterranean area. Many studies have investigated the role of climate variables (precipitations, temperature) in its occurrence and growth, but few have taken the effect of local site conditions into account, nor their interaction with climate. This study aimed at thoroughly assessing forest sites potential for Aleppo pine in France, and designing a practical tool to help forest managers implementing these results. The study is based on a network of 512 plots laid out in the French Mediterranean area, where 2158 trees were measured. A site index was computed using a height growth model calibrated on these plots. Using neural networks and partial least square regression models (PLS), we disentangled the effects of climatic factors and local site conditions in Aleppo pine presence and growth. Local water balance (assessed through topography, soil, geology and legacies of past human activities) was the main factor driving Aleppo pine productivity in the study area. Climate played a significant role as a whole but more important at the species distribution margins, frost and snow limiting Aleppo pine range northwards and in elevation. Based on these results, a practical tool was designed for two different types of mother rocks to help assessing forest site potential for Aleppo pine. As the span of climate conditions in south-eastern France includes most of those found in Aleppo pine distribution area, except the driest and hottest ones found in its southernmost locations, this study could easily be used or adapted in most other concerned countries. Because of the ongoing climate change and increasing drought in the Mediterranean area, the balance between local and climate factors may change in time and space. Our results show that without an accurate knowledge of local conditions, the impact of climate change cannot be predicted.

This study provides an overview of the scientific work of Pierre Quézel (1926-2015). Ecologist and biogeographer, twice Doctor of the University of Montpellier, in science and in medicine, he was professor at the University of Algiers until 1962 and thereafter at the University of Aix-Marseille where, in 1964, he set up the Laboratory for Mediterranean Botany and Ecology which he continued to head until 1990. He was also one of the co-founders in 1985 of the Mediterranean Institute for Ecology and Paleoecology (IMEP). Author of 406 scientific publications which include several books, he devoted more than fifty years to the study of the flora and vegetation of the Mediterranean region and the Sahara, working on a wide range of topics : biogeography, palaeoecology, phytosociology, ecological dynamics, human impacts and biodiversity conservation. An internationally-recognised expert, he played a major role in the understanding of Mediterranean forests and woodlands and in obtaining recognition of their specific features, as much for their structure as for the dynamics of their succession over generations. Through the orientation of his research, which also encompassed aspects of paleoecology and cytotaxonomy, and the training of innumerable research scientists from countries all around the Mediterranean Rim, Pierre Quézel succeeded in creating a very fertile dynamic for research in ecology and plant geography, thus enhancing the understanding and preservation of what has become a hotspot of biodiversity, part of the planet’s evolving biogeographic capital., Cet article dresse un bilan synthétique des activités scientifiques de Pierre Quézel (1926-2015). Écologue et biogéographe, docteur ès sciences et en médecine de l’université de Montpellier, il a été professeur à l’université d’Alger jusqu’en 1962 puis à l’université d’Aix-Marseille, où il avait fondé en 1964 le Laboratoire de botanique et d’écologie méditerranéenne qu’il a dirigé jusqu’en 1990. Il fut également le cofondateur de l’Institut méditerranéen d’écologie et de paléoécologie (IMEP) créé en 1985. Auteur de 406 publications scientifiques dont plusieurs ouvrages, il a travaillé durant une cinquantaine d’années dans le domaine de la flore et de la végétation vasculaires de la région méditerranéenne et du Sahara. Il a considéré de multiples thématiques : biogéographie, paléoécologie, phytosociologie, dynamiques écologiques, impacts de l’homme et conservation de la biodiversité. Expert reconnu sur le plan international, il a joué un rôle majeur dans la connaissance des forêts méditerranéennes et la reconnaissance de leurs spécificités, tant sur le plan de leurs structures que de leurs dynamiques de succession. De par l’orientation de ses recherches intégrant aussi les aspects paléoécologiques et cytotaxonomiques, et la formation de nombreux chercheurs sur toutes les rives de la Méditerranée, Pierre Quézel a su impulser une dynamique féconde de travaux écologiques et phytogéographiques, afin de mieux comprendre et de préserver ce remarquable point chaud de biodiversité, véritable capital biogéographique et évolutif à l’échelle mondiale., Médail Frédéric. Pierre Quézel (1926-2015), une vie et une oeuvre scientifique entre Méditerranée et Sahara / Pierre Quézel (1926-2015), his life and scientific work between the Mediterranean Basin and the Sahara. In: Ecologia mediterranea, tome 44 n°2, 2018. Hommage scientifique au professeur Pierre Quézel (1926-2015) pp. 5-22.

Exercice de prévision de récolte dans le réseau MED-Amin; International audience; Les pays du réseau MED-Amin ont participé pour la troisième année consécutive à un exercice de prévision de récolte pour les cultures céréalières (blé tendre, blé dur et orge) qui a consisté à confronter des indicateurs agro-météorologiques d’observation terrestre fournis par le Secrétariat MED-Amin et le Centre Commun de Recherche de la Commission européenne (CCR) à des observations de terrain dans chacun des 13 pays participants. La méthodologie suivie en 2019 repose sur l’identification de zones (et leurs unités administratives correspondantes, voir annexes) sur lesquelles des anomalies, positives ou négatives peuvent être mises en évidence à partir d’indicateurs agro-météorologiques et de télédétection. Cette étape est effectuée à la mi-avril, avec une mise à jour à la mi-mai. Pour chacune de ces deux étapes, les points focaux nationaux MED-Amin ont évalué qualitativement les perspectives de rendement pour ces zones ciblées grâce à un retour d’experts de terrain. L’établissement préalable de références statistiques subnationales permet de visualiser l’impact potentiel des différentes conditions de culture et les perspectives de rendement dans chaque pays.

International audience; Recurrent food crises and global environmental change are critical issues that pushed food security and sustainability to the top of the policy agenda. Policy-makers need assessment tools that help them decide what actions they should take to achieve these goals. This paper proposes a new metric system assessing the sustainability of food systems and diets at a subnational level adapted to the context of the Mediterranean area. Recognizing the systemic dimension of sustainability, the proposed information system builds on a vulnerability/resilience conceptual framework and considers the interactions between a set of biophysical and socioeconomic drivers of vulnerability and a number of context-specific food and nutrition security issues. A three-round iterative Delphi survey was conducted to involve a number of selected experts in the indicator selection process. 18 indicators were finally identified for eight preselected causal models of vulnerability and resilience at the interactions between a set of four drivers of change (water depletion, biodiversity loss, food price volatility, and changes in food consumption patterns) and four food and nutrition security outcomes (nutritional quality of food supply, affordability of food, dietary energy balance, and satisfaction of cultural food preferences). Each interaction was disentangled in exposure, sensitivity and resilience. The exercise allowed discussion of a conceptual and dynamic framework for food systems, and identification of indicators that gather consensus among the expert community.

International audience

International audience

Lien de la version française : http://www.med-amin.org/fr/ressources/fichiers/docs-communication/384-med-amin-bulletin-avancee-recolte-semis-nov-2019/file; International audience; This bulletin reflects the progress of harvests and planting in the MED-Amin countries based on data collected from the network’s focal points and from various sources as appropriate (press releases from the Ministries of Agriculture or their Grain Offices, international organizations mentioned hereafter, private consulting companies or press articles). For each monitored crop (wheat, barley, maize and rice), this information is preceded by a report of the world market and harvest outlook of the main producing countries. Figures are based on information provided by monitoring and analysis organizations, mainly the International Grains Council - IGC (checked early November at https://www.igc.int/en/markets/marketinfo-sd.aspx, the Grain Market Report of 24 October), the USDA (WASDE report of 8 November, the Crop Progress report of 12 November, the Rice Outlook and Wheat Outlook of 13 November), FAO-AMIS (the Market Monitor of November and the GEOGLAM Crop Monitor of 7 November and https://app.amis-outlook.org/#/market-database/view-and-compare), the European Commission - DG AGRI (Cereal Market Situation of 31 October, the JRC MARS Bulletin of 28 October and 25 November, the JRC MARS Bulletin for Turkey of 12 September and https://agridata.ec.europa.eu/extensions/DashboardCereals/CerealsProduction.html updated on 31 October). Ce document présente les avancées de récoltes et semis dans les pays MED-Amin issues de données collectées auprès des points focaux du réseau et de diverses sources le cas échéant (communiqués des ministères de l’agriculture ou de leurs offices céréaliers, organismes internationaux cités cidessous, cabinets d’analyse privés, articles de presse). Pour chacune des cultures suivies (blé, orge, maïs et riz), ces informations sont précédées par un état de la situation du marché mondial et des perspectives de récolte des principaux pays producteurs. Ces informations sont fondées sur celles fournies par les organismes de suivi et d’analyse, essentiellement le Conseil International des Céréales - CIC (relevés début novembre sur https://www.igc.int/en/markets/marketinfo-sd.aspx et du Grain Market Report du 24 octobre), l’USDA (rapports WASDE du 8 novembre https://www.usda.gov/oce/commodity/wasde/, Crop Progress du 12 novembre, Rice Outlook et Wheat Outlook du 13 novembre), FAO-AMIS (Crop Monitor for AMIS de GEOGLAM de novembre et Market Monitor du 7 novembre ,et sur https://app.amis-outlook.org/#/market-database/view-and-compare), la Commission Européenne – DG AGRI (Cereal Market Situation du 31 octobre, JRC MARS Bulletins du 28 octobre et du 25 novembre, JRC MARS Bulletin global outlook 2019 for Turkey du 12 septembre et https://agridata.ec.europa.eu/extensions/DashboardCereals/CerealsProduction.html mise à jour 31 octobre).

Chapitre 10; International audience; Parmi les 257 millions de migrants que comptait notre planète en 2017, on estime que 66 millions de personnes étaient victimes de déplacements forcés. Leur nombre, en augmentation constante depuis une décennie, se compose principalement de personnes déplacées à l’intérieur de leur propre pays (40,3 millions en 2016). Le deuxième groupe par la taille (22,5 millions) est celui des réfugiés contraints de quitter leur pays (HCR, 2017). Souvent oubliées, les personnes apatrides méritent que l’on s’y intéresse. Les causes des migrations de détresse sont nombreuses : au-delà des guerres et des conflits armés, les effets délétères du réchauffement climatique, les dégradations environnementales et les catastrophes naturelles font peser un risque majeur sur les moyens d’existence. Relevons à ce stade que 84 % des migrants sont accueillis au sein de pays en développement (HCR, 2017). Le besoin de repenser les politiques, les programmes, la planification spatiale et sociale concerne tous les systèmes de gouvernance, de l’échelle locale à l’échelle internationale. L’appel de l’ONU à faciliter une immigration régulière, ordonnée et sans danger pour les personnes vise ainsi à assurer des effets positifs pour les migrants comme pour les États et dans les communautés d’origine autant que dans celles d’accueil (ONU, 2017). Pour atteindre cet objectif, l’adoption de stratégies exhaustives et inclusives est fondamentale. Le principal défi que pose aux gouvernements l’établissement de telles stratégies est de parvenir à une compréhension aussi parfaite que possible des différentes formes de mobilité, de la complexité des interrelations et de la dispersion spatiale. Ces stratégies exhaustives devront reposer sur des innovations sociales et techniques ainsi que sur de nouveaux modes de gouvernance à même de répondre aux défis et aux spécificités du contexte local.

Crop forecasting exercise in the MED-Amin network; International audience; The MED-Amin network countries participated for the third consecutive year in a crop forecasting exercise for cereal crops (soft wheat, durum wheat and barley) which consisted in comparing agrometeorological indicators of terrestrial observation provided by the MED-Amin Secretariat and the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC) to field observations in each of the 13 participating countries. The methodology applied in 2019 is based on the identification of zones (and their corresponding administrative units) for which positive or negative anomalies can be highlighted on the base of agrometeorological and remote sensing indicators. This phase was carried out at mid-April, with an update mid-May. For each of these two phases, the MED-Amin National Focal Points qualitatively assessed the yield prospects of these target areas through a feedback from field experts. The preliminary establishment of sub-national statistical references makes it possible to visualize the potential impact of the identified hot-spots on each country.

International audience

Chapitre 5; International audience; Les migrations en Méditerranée ont connu au cours de cette dernière décennie une mutation rapide, qu’il s’agisse de leurs flux (plus massifs), de leurs formes (migrations clandestines), des profils des migrants (hommes, femmes, enfants), des destinations et des nouvelles routes et réseaux utilisés (Sud-Nord, Sud-Sud). Les migrations présentes ne sont plus exclusivement des migrations de populations rurales et de paysans dont les relations au développement rural sont essentiellement traitées à travers la problématique des transferts d’argent des migrants au profit des villages ou des communautés rurales. Dans ce chapitre consacré aux migrations dans leurs dimensions environnementales, les auteurs tenteront de mieux appréhender les interactions complexes entre dégradations des ressources naturelles, changement climatique et migrations dans les régions sud et est de la Méditerranée. Les migrations dites « forcées », liées aux catastrophes naturelles et, plus précisément, au processus de dégradation des ressources naturelles (terres, eau agricole) et de changement climatique, ont pris des dimensions nouvelles qu’il est utile de comprendre et d’analyser.

Evolution et adaptation au changement climatique chez les sapins méditerranéens. Mise en place d’un site d’étude sur le Mont Ventoux. Société botanique du Vaucluse

International audience

International audience

International audience

International audience

International audience

International audience; How to move forward if we cannot understand our present from our past? The same applies for the study of ecosystems. Evidence of ecological legacies in temperate post-agricultural forests has been provided on soil physico-chemical properties and understory vegetation richness and composition, which led to distinguish ancient and recent forests. However, no land use legacies dating back more than 50 years have been reported in Mediterranean forests. The definition of ancient and recent forests usually relies on a threshold date, most often provided by historical maps. In France, the Etat-Major map is the most precise, with a relatively high resolution and drawn over the whole country with a standardised method. However, the use of historical maps only for studying land use legacies in forest is questionable in a Mediterranean context characterised by a traditional agro-sylvo-pastoral system. Using a historical ecology approach, our purpose was to examine the legacies of various former land uses on soil and understory vegetation in Mediterranean forests and to compare the relevance of two historical sources: 1860 land use map (map-based PLU) and remnants recorded in the field (in situ PLU remnants). In the Regional Natural Park of Luberon (French Mediterranean area), we inventoried plant communities and analysed soil physico-chemical properties on 100 plots with various past land uses according the Etat-Major map (arable, pasture or forest) and in situ PLU remnants (terrace, stone removal or no remnants). Compared to ancient forest, former arable land hosted more species and had deeper and nutrient-richer soils while former pasture had shallower and nutrient-poorer soils. Similarly, and compared with no remnants, terraces hosted more species and had deeper and nutrient-richer soils whereas stone removal had shallower and nutrient-poorer soils. Understory species composition significantly varied according to map-based PLU and in situ PLU remnants. However, in situ PLU remnants were globally a much better indicator of land use legacies on soil and understory plant composition compared to map-based PLU. We thus confirmed the legacies of past land use on Mediterranean forest soil and understory vegetation. We also stressed that historical ecology should rely on both field evidence and historical maps, particularly in Mediterranean landscapes with a complex history of land uses.

[Departement_IRSTEA]Territoires [ADD1_IRSTEA]Dynamique et fonctionnement des écosystèmes; International audience; How to move forward if we cannot understand our present from our past? The same applies for the study of ecosystems. Evidence of ecological legacies in temperate post-agricultural forests has been provided on soil physico-chemical properties and understory vegetation richness and composition, which led to distinguish ancient and recent forests. However, no land use legacies dating back more than 50 years have been reported in Mediterranean forests. The definition of ancient and recent forests usually relies on a threshold date, most often provided by historical maps. In France, the Etat-Major map is the most precise, with a relatively high resolution and drawn over the whole country with a standardised method. However, the use of historical maps only for studying land use legacies in forest is questionable in a Mediterranean context characterised by a traditional agro-sylvo-pastoral system. Using a historical ecology approach, our purpose was to examine the legacies of various former land uses on soil and understory vegetation in Mediterranean forests and to compare the relevance of two historical sources: 1860 land use map (map-based PLU) and remnants recorded in the field (in situ PLU remnants). In the Regional Natural Park of Luberon (French Mediterranean area), we inventoried plant communities and analysed soil physico-chemical properties on 100 plots with various past land uses according the Etat-Major map (arable, pasture or forest) and in situ PLU remnants (terrace, stone removal or no remnants). Compared to ancient forest, former arable land hosted more species and had deeper and nutrient-richer soils while former pasture had shallower and nutrient-poorer soils. Similarly, and compared with no remnants, terraces hosted more species and had deeper and nutrient-richer soils whereas stone removal had shallower and nutrient-poorer soils. Understory species composition significantly varied according to map-based PLU and in situ PLU remnants. However, in situ PLU remnants were globally a much better indicator of land use legacies on soil and understory plant composition compared to map-based PLU. We thus confirmed the legacies of past land use on Mediterranean forest soil and understory vegetation. We also stressed that historical ecology should rely on both field evidence and historical maps, particularly in Mediterranean landscapes with a complex history of land uses.

Communication oraleBOOK P Camoin 2018 REVISED VERSION; International audience