Originally from Nantes, Eric obtained his doctorate in evolutionary biology in Montpellier at the end of the 90s. After a stint in Canada, he was recruited in 2001 as a lecturer at the University of Montpellier.
He conducts his research at the Institute of Evolutionary Sciences in Montpellier and works on issues related to maintaining biodiversity, particularly in response to climate change.
In 2012, with several colleagues, he set up a training program in the field of naturalist expertise, the Bachelor's degree in Studies and Development of Natural Areas (EDEN). This program, which he has been in charge of for several years, is offered on a work-study basis: either through apprenticeship or a professional training contract.
Find Eric in our South Cévennes destination magazine, Wild Encounter issue no. 6
Why is it important to train young people directly in the South Cévennes region?
The University of Montpellier has had ties with the Pays Viganais region for many years, notably through the use of the holiday village for immersion teaching weeks and orientation weeks. This was the case for the EDEN Bachelor's degree program, which has worked on natural sites in the Pays Viganais since its inception. When the project for a higher education center was discussed in 2018, the EDEN Bachelor's teaching team was contacted, and we proposed relocating this program for several reasons. First, being in Le Vigan facilitates access to housing for students in work-study programs (who must also have accommodation near their workplace). Second, for naturalist experts, the immediate surroundings of Le Vigan offer a clear advantage.
Since the students in the EDEN degree program come from all over France, this is also an opportunity to promote this region.
Why is the greening of an urban center essential for quality of life and the environment?
Everyone has experienced the calming effects of a walk in the forest. Being in the Chestnut Park or on the banks of the Arre in Le Vigan is almost like a walk in the forest.
Numerous recent studies demonstrate the beneficial effects of vegetation in combating the heatwave effects associated with asphalt and concrete. Plants help create pockets of coolness.
This applies to trees like the hackberry trees in the Place du Quai, but also to the ivy on the walls. It can't be said enough: let the ivy grow!
The presence of grassy, wild, and untidy spaces also has beneficial effects for pollinating insects, such as bees and butterflies. Therefore, wild grasses should be allowed to grow even amidst the asphalt.
What role can we play in promoting plant biodiversity in urban areas and developing regions?
First, let the grass grow. Let's stop wanting asphalt and walls devoid of greenery. Let's not forget the virtues of dry stone walls, an element of the Cévennes identity: they are not only less polluting to build than cinder block or concrete walls, but they also leave room for biodiversity. Birds, lizards, insects, and plants can make their home there. Everyone benefits: biodiversity, but also the maintenance workers who can dedicate their working time to things that are truly useful to the community.
We can also help these plants by planting them where they don't already exist. A simple flower box is enough. Ideally, the entire roadway should be landscaped to allow plants to establish themselves.
Are there indicator plants to assess the ecological quality of urban environments, and how can urbanization still promote biodiversity?
The first effect of urbanization is the disappearance of vegetation, but this is also true for insects, birds, mammals… In fact, few species manage to live in the presence of humans. We are very bad neighbors. A poor-quality urban environment will be one where you find plants that don't need pollinators, therefore wind-pollinated species like pellitory-of-the-wall and nettles… it should be noted that these plants are also often a source of pollen allergies!
Another characteristic of urban environments is the accumulation of pollutants of all kinds. The plant species that thrive are therefore those that can tolerate this pollution. Ultimately, we end up with only about sixty species capable of growing in these environments. The more disturbed the environment, the lower the diversity.
If you spot a wild orchid in an urban setting, a flax plant, or even just a poppy… then there's hope that the environment isn't too unhealthy. As mentioned earlier, we need to design our urban spaces to allow plant and animal biodiversity to flourish, not just in the form of isolated green spaces, but rather along continuous corridors.
Roads are the only urban infrastructure designed to be continuous. I can leave my home and cross France, and even Europe, without getting out of my car. I can't do that using sidewalks or cycling; I'll inevitably have to cross a road. Yet the example of roads shows us that it's possible to design continuous corridors. Let's do it for biodiversity! And for cycling too! On a large scale, ecological corridors are generally well respected with the implementation of the green and blue infrastructure network, but we should also do this at the scale of urban environments, connecting green spaces to peri-urban and undeveloped areas.
For urban areas like Le Vigan or Ganges, this is not too much of a problem, but we should still be able to put more greenery in the historic centers.
Are there any local initiatives that show that urbanization and flora conservation can go hand in hand?
There are few conservation actions specific to flora in South Cévennes apart from the management actions of protected and managed sites (Combe-Chaude Reserve, Natura 2000 site of the Causse de Blandas, for example).
Regarding urban flora, let's wait and see the results from the undergraduate students! But ideas for creating green spaces (grassy sidewalks, unpaved parking lots, etc.) already exist. We just need to implement them! There are also public awareness programs like "Wild Plants of My Street."
