Research projects

2021-present ASTONISH: Effects of habitat structural complexity of eco-evolutionary dynamics of fish. Long-term research project aiming at understanding the ecological and evolutionary consequences of the global anthropogenic simplification of natural habitats. 

We introduced medaka fish (Oryzias latipes) in 16 mesocosms (1 m2), which harbour either a low or high density of a plastic mat mimicking floating vegetation and providing a complex habitat structure.

Mesocosms are further covered with 1 mm mesh nets to prevent colonization by predatory insects. Before medaka introduction, mesocosms were enriched with nitrogen and phosphorus, and were seeded with benthos and plankton. Since medaka introduction, mesocosms are not further manipulated.

Medaka are fished in March and November each year. Fish a live batch-photographed and released.

First results on ecological effects of habitat structural complexity are published as a preprint.

2020-present M&M: Mesocosms and Macroduration, co-led by Olivier Dézerald, Caroline Gorzerino and Damien Fourcy.

In collaboration with U3E PEARL, we run a long-term mesocosm experiment on the ecosystem effects of invasive crayfish Procambarus clarkii. In October 2019, 12 freshwater mesocosms (11m2) were seeded with pond sediments from which, during 2020, macrophytes and complex fishless pond communities quickly developed and function like natural ponds. In July 2021, 40 crayfish were introduced in eight mesocosms. Since 2023, four crayfish populations are exploited using commercial traps to simulate an eradication attempt. The experiment is intended to run for 5 to 10 years.

Since January 2020, monthly samples are taken for whole-mesocosm colour and surface vegetation (aerial photograph), macroinvertebrates (photograph of trapped samples), zooplankton (ethanol-fixed before analysis with the FlowCam), as well as pelagic and benthic chlorophyll (Phytopam and YSI ProDSS). Crayfish population dynamics are tracked using mark-recapture in June and October each year. Below is an aerial view of the 12 mesocosms.

2019-present PRIME: Pond crayfish mark-recapture in the Brière Regional Natural Park, co-led by Jean-Marc Paillisson and Eric Petit. Once a year in May-June, we supervise undergraduate students to perform crayfish mark-recapture in eight ponds. Additionally, a number of biotic and abiotic factors are measured in each pond. This is a long-term project aiming at improving our understanding of the factors that control the dynamics of crayfish populations.

2022-2024: SPABIO: Bioéconomie dynamique spatialisée des invasions  biologiques: preuve de concept pour la gestion de la jussie en Brière. Grant from INRAE as part of the Métaprogramme BIOSEFAIR.

The aim of the project is to develop a spatial-temporal bioeconomic model to assist managers in taking management decisions for uprooting operations on the water primrose willow (Ludwigia grandiflora), an invasive plant in the Brière Regional Park.