UMR 7263 IMBE - Mediterranean Institute of Biodiversity and Ecology EECAR

Activities

The Mediterranean Institute of Biodiversity and Marine and Continental Ecology (IMBE) is a Joint Research Unit.
A laboratory dedicated to the study of biodiversity
The Mediterranean Institute of Biodiversity and Marine and Continental Ecology (IMBE) is developing an integrative approach to the study of biodiversity and socio-ecological systems.
The IMBE provides fundamental and applied knowledge on the functions and historical and evolutionary dynamics of biodiversity in all types of Mediterranean ecosystems, from the construction of paleo-ecosystems to their future in the context of global change. These contributions also include links with civil society on the one hand and human health issues on the other.
Through its involvement in research, training and scientific development, the IMBE plays an active role in environmental transition and sustainable development, helping to define local, national and international environmental policies.

Since 1 January 2024 , the two teams historically present on the Avignon sites IRPNC and BES merge into a single team which becomes :

Écology, Eco-toxicology Chimie Applied to theAgroécologie et à la Restauration EECAR

Director: Armin Bischoff PR IUT AU

Engineering for the Restoration of Natural and Cultural Heritage

Team leader Gérald Culioli, PR AU

One of the identity themes of this team is the study of artistic and archaeological heritage materials with the development of analytical methods allowing the identification of chemical markers characteristic of natural substances. This involves understanding the mechanisms of thermal and photochemical degradation of the identified markers. This team also specialises in restoration ecology, which consists of repairing ecosystems degraded by human activities in order to restore their biological diversity. This work allows significant advances in the field of fundamental ecology, on the identification of coexistence processes in plant communities and their associated entomofauna.

Biomarkers, Environment

Team leader : Joffrey Moiroux MCF AU

This team studies the effects of anthropogenic or other disturbances on both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. In the terrestrial field, the studies carried out aim to measure the impact of phytosanitary practices at both individual and population levels, and to develop alternative control methods to insecticides using generalist beneficials against apple pests. The aquatic ecosystems studied are being investigated in terms of both the physico-chemical quality of the water and the organisms themselves, along a gradient of scales including biochemical, physiological, population and biocenotic aspects.

On the Internet https://www.imbe.fr/

ORGANISATION

ASSOCIATED RESEARCH UNITS

• CNRS
• IRD
• AMU

Direction
Emmanuel Corcket, Pr AMU

Deputy Director
Carole Borchiellini, MCF AMU, Deputy Director
Anne Bousquet-Melou, PR AMU, Deputy Director
Armin Bischoff, PR AU, Deputy Director
Brigitte Talon, MCF, Deputy Director
Marine Berro, IE CNRS, Administrative Manager

Courses offered

LMD training areas: IUT, SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH, LAW ECONOMY MANAGEMENT

• Master's Degree in Life Sciences
• Master's degree Teaching, training in physical sciences and chemistry
• Erasmus Mundus Master in ARCHaeological MATerials Science (ARCHMAT)
• Master Agrosciences
• IUT Génie Biologique options Agronomy and Food and Biological Industries.
• IUT Techniques de Commercialisation.

Research activities

• Ecology of plant communities
• Restoration ecology and ecological engineering
• Conservation biology and biodiversity
• Environmental law
• Plant resins and archaeology
• Art varnish chemistry
• Study of plant colour and pigments
• Ecotoxicology / Study of the impact of phytosanitary practices used in apple orchards on non-target organisms
• Development of alternative control methods to insecticides
• Development of biological water quality indices specific to the Mediterranean region
• Nanotoxicology: effects of metal oxide nanoparticles on invertebrate organisms

Partnerships

Academic partnerships

• University of Leuven (Belgium) 
• University of Regensburg (Germany)
• University of Jena (Germany)
• CNRS Lebanon
• University of Porto Alegre (Brazil) 
• University of Cotonou (Benin) 
• University of Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) 
• University of Thessaloniki (Greece) 
• University of Tüebingen (Germany) 
• University of Castilla la Mancha / Toledo (Spain)
• University of Lincoln / Christchurch (New Zealand)

Industrial partnerships

• SCLM Company (quarry restoration)
• SPSE company (oil spill restoration)
• CDC Biodiversity Company (intensive orchard restoration)
• Société CNR (restoration of dykes on the banks of the Rhône)
• Association CEN-PACA (restoration and conservation of the Crau steppe)
• Tara Rubia Company (natural dyes)
• Nexira Food (resins, food processing)
• National, regional museums

Further information

Know-how

• Development of early indicators of environmental dysfunction, ecological restoration.
• Identification and study of biomarkers and degradation markers of natural substances.

Competencies

• Plant and animal ecology
• Biochemistry
• Ecotoxicology
• Analytical and organic chemistry
• Photochemistry
• Heritage chemistry

Specific equipment

• Analytical techniques of chemistry (UFR Science).
• Field and laboratory equipment, restoration ecology (IUT site).
• Biochemical analysis equipment (Agrosciences site).
• Observation and identification material (Agrosciences website).
• Insectarium (agrosciences site)
• Respirometer for insects