Alexandre OCHANDO

Address

Maison de la Recherche, Jean Jaurès University 5, Allées A. Machado – 31058 TOULOUSE Cedex 1

Email

alexandre.ochando@univ-tlse2.fr

UE 301: Physical Environments: Components and Organisation (Year 2): 24 hours – tutorial instructor

PhD topic: Process‑based low‑tech riverine regeneration in the Adour‑Garonne basin: feedback, social representations and operational perspectives.

PhD supervised by Jean‑Marc Antoine and Philippe Valette (GEODE – UMR 5602, UT2J).

My research focuses on the ecological restoration of rivers, a process that consists in assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been damaged or destroyed. I am more specifically interested in process‑based low‑tech regeneration, an approach aimed at restoring physical, chemical and biological processes through the implementation of artisanal structures mimicking the presence of large woody debris in rivers and the construction activity of beavers. Low‑tech regeneration is part of a broader reflection on water and aquatic ecosystem management, notably carried by the emerging Water Regeneration Movement in France.

The first part of the thesis focuses on the initial feedback from the Adour‑Garonne basin. I seek to better understand the contextualisation of the approach and its associated practices, to identify the factors that facilitate or hinder its implementation, as well as the motivations and action perspectives of the first project leaders.

In the second part of the thesis, the aim will be to propose a comparative study of the ways in which low‑tech regeneration is appropriated, integrated and implemented, in partnership with several river syndicates holding the GEMAPI competence. This multi‑site analysis aims to identify and understand the social representations of the stakeholders involved, while contributing to the monitoring of certain physical effects on river environments.

University Education :

• 2025 – present : PhD in Geography, Contrat Doctoral Unique – University of Toulouse Jean‑Jaurès – UMR 5602 GEODE – Toulouse (31).
• 2022 – 2024 : Master’s degree (Years 1 & 2) in Geography, Planning, Environment and Development – Environmental Transitions in Territories track, High Distinction (University of Toulouse – Jean Jaurès).
• 2019–2022: Bachelor’s degree in Geography, Planning and Development, High Distinction (University of Toulouse – Jean Jaurès).

Professional Experience :

• October – December 2024 : Finalisation and dissemination of the vulnerability assessment of the Hauts de Chartreuse Nature Reserve (Natur’Adapt methodology). Fixed‑term contract, Hauts de Chartreuse National Nature Reserve (Saint‑Pierre‑de‑Chartreuse, France).
   
• March – August 2024 : The socio‑ecosystem of the Hauts de Chartreuse Nature Reserve facing climate change, vulnerability and opportunity assessment (Natur’Adapt methodology). Master’s internship (Year 2), Hauts de Chartreuse National Nature Reserve (Saint‑Pierre‑de‑Chartreuse, France).
   
• April – July 2023 : Diachronic study of the evolution of environments and landscapes in the Hauts de Chartreuse Nature Reserve. Master’s internship (Year 1), Hauts de Chartreuse National Nature Reserve (Saint‑Pierre‑de‑Chartreuse, France).