Women, Men and Trees
These scientists, engineers and technicians work at INRAE to better understand, analyze and protect trees - and to design the forests of tomorrow.
Nathalie Korboulewsky—an unfailing OPTMix
In the Loire Valley, there are mixed forests of oaks and pines. Nathalie is trying to better understand these forests' ability to adapt their management to current issues (climate change, biodiversity, and more). Her life-size laboratory is a unique experimental system called OPTMix.
Georges Kunstler—the life cycle of trees
Georges focuses on tree demography in relation to climate. He studies their survival, growth, and reproduction with the aim of assessing how the resulting population dynamics determine the dynamics of forest stands.
Sylvain Delzon — a rooted genius
His research looks into the adaptation of forests to climate change and their evolution over time. His piping and fluid mechanics research is internationally renowned. Not only has produced numerous publications, but he's also earned an array of awards along the way, with a lot of energy and good humor.
Heidy Schimann: nothing too small to need their help
From bacteria to microscopic fungi… trees have complex relationships with the microorganisms (or microbiota) with which they live in close association. Exploring these relationships and understanding their role in a tree's resistance to drought is at the center of Heidy's research.
Hervé Cochard — the tree listener
A renowned ecophysiology researcher, Hervé works on the response of plants in response to drought. He is particularly fascinated by cavitation—the formation of air bubbles in the vessels of trees as a result of drought and high temperatures. These can result in the death of the tree from embolism (blocked vessels).
Philippe Deuffic — a relationship scientist
As an environmental sociologist, Philippe studies the relationship between forests and foresters, populations, and forest users in relation to climate change, increased environmental risks, threats to biodiversity, and conflicts of use.
Nathalie Breda—forests of the future
Nathalie's work in the Grand Est region (eastern France) consists of analyzing the functioning of trees and how this changes depending on forest management methods, climate, insect pests, and pathogenic fungi in order to pave the way for tomorrow's forests.
Leopoldo Sanchez Rodriguez — for sustainable wood production
More and better: that is Leopoldo's focus. His field of expertise is the genetic improvement of wood-producing forest tree species, like poplar, in regard to the environmental challenges that threaten their adaptation.
Delphine Derrien—organic matter under our feet
Leaves and dead wood decompose and fertilize it, trees draw their nutrients from it… forest soils are the subject of Delphine's research. Her study is focused on the mechanisms of organic matter degradation in light of climate change.
Niklas Tysklind—in the tropics
French Guiana—in the heart of this little corner of South America, Niklas Tysklind studies biodiversity. With the help of genetics, he seeks to understand the characteristics, causes, and consequences of ecology and evolution here.
Fabrice Bonne — in tune with the seasons
Observing buds bursting open in the spring, the ripening of fruits in the summer, and the turning of leaves in the fall is a real passion for Fabrice. He's a talented forest technician and an outstanding wildlife illustrator.
Harold Duruflé — poplars of the world
From the Volga to the Loire River, from the Rhine to the Vistula River, the black poplar is an emblematic species of riverside forests. Harold is seeking to determine what biological variables allow this species to adapt to its local environment.
Marielle Brunette — all-risk science
From natural risks (droughts, storms, wildfires) to economic risks linked to forests (fluctuation in the price of timber), Marielle seeks a way to prevent, manage, and hedge them. Not to mention the uncertainty caused by climate change.
Maxime Cailleret—a hot spell in the Mediterranean
Aleppo pines, evergreen oaks, and other trees… Maxime examines the functioning of Mediterranean forests under the stress of climate change. His goal is to understand and predict how droughts affect tree growth, mortality, and regeneration.
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