Research activity

I aim to understand the origin of spatial patterns in species and in genetic diversity. I address the following questions :

1) What are the influence of environment and landscape on these distributions ?

2) What are the processes at the origin of these spatial patterns (drift, gene flow, selection…).

My work has applications in conservation biology, for example with the objective to help to define conservation units. To address these questions, I adapt and evaluate statistical methods. I have contributed to the introduction of landscape genetics.

Main research topics

1-Dynamic of biodiversity in anthropised landscape -

Estimating gene flow in an urbanized area - FRB (2010-2012)

2- Spatial pattern of selection - Interaction genome-environment

- Pattern of adaptive genetic variation in the Alps .

- Pattern of adaptive genetic variation in Arabis alpina – PhD : Bénédicte Poncet (2006-2010)– Collaboration with Felix Gugerli and Rolf Holderreger (WSL, Zurich).

3-Spatial distribution of neutral genetic diversity

- Method for detecting boundary based on Wombling (PhD Alain Cercueil -2001-2004)

- Comparison of statistical methods for identifying genetic boundary (Collaboration with Mark Miller, Utah University) – PhD: Toni Safner (2006-2009)

4- Spatial pattern of species distribution

- Impact of land use on the distribution of aquatic species in Himalaya (Collaboration Steve Ormerod, 1996-1999).