Bernard ALET

My research focuses mainly on the interdisciplinary understanding of “natural” areas, biodiversity and landscapes, on their management and multi‑valorisation issues, on their place and new challenges within local societies, as well as in spatial planning and territorial development. This research is conducted within the GEODE laboratory – UMR 5602 – CNRS.

 

Strengths of the research activities :

• Contemporary evolution of nature/society relations: the Midi‑Pyrenean example of protected natural areas
• Natural heritage and biodiversity: management and multi‑valorisation issues of natural areas within the framework of planning and development of rural and peri‑urban territories
• (Geo)systemic analysis, zoogeography, dynamics and evolution of faunal biodiversity
• Assessment of the effects of public policies on the environment and landscapes: their consequences on dry grasslands, wetland environments (peatlands, ponds, gravel pits…) and trees outside forests in the south‑west of the Massif Central
• Protected areas, territorial planning, local and regional development, biodiversity management: processes of patrimonialisation of nature and biodiversity in the Sensitive Natural Areas (ENS) of the departments of Aveyron, Tarn and Tarn‑et‑Garonne, in the Regional Nature Reserves (RNR) of the former gravel pits of Cambounet s/Sor (81), of Lamartine in Frouzins (31) and of the Garonne/Ariège Confluence in Portet s/Garonne (31), in the Regional Nature Parks (PNR) of Midi‑Pyrénées and in PNR projects such as those of Grésigne and the Gorges de l’Aveyron, and in Natura 2000 areas (ZPS Grésigne‑81…)
• Since 2010, new research on the new issues and new relations between climate warming, the evolution of urban biodiversity and their consideration by the population and urban policies (environmental, socio‑economic, socio‑cultural, political and strategic issues)
• Since 2014, new research on geo‑history, historical ecology, micro‑history, and landscape archaeology, notably in the Grésigne forest and its margins (Tarn). This research focuses on the evolution of agro‑sylvo‑pastoral landscapes, their uses and practices by the various societies that have succeeded one another since the Early Middle Ages.
   

New research programmes :

• Research programme on the process of patrimonialisation of protected “natural” areas (2012–2017): participatory approach, consultation processes, social acceptance and acceptability… Applications to two case studies: the Regional Nature Reserve (RNR) of Cambounet s/Sor and the RNR of the Garonne/Ariège Confluence, in partnership with the DREAL, the Midi‑Pyrénées then Occitanie Region, the Departmental Council of Tarn, Nature Midi‑Pyrénées and LPO‑Tarn. This research resulted in 3 publications (see bibliography).
• Research contract with the MEDD on landscape dynamics and perceptions of wooded interfaces: what are the issues for the implementation of the Green and Blue Infrastructure (TVB) (2011–2014): Comparative analysis of perceptions of the TVB in three study areas, from predominantly rural territories to peri‑urban territories: in Comminges around Saint‑Gaudens (31), the Salat valley (09/31) and the Lèze valley (09/31). This research resulted in 4 publications (see bibliography).
• EPAL research contract on the Lozère Aubrac (2016–2018): this contract focused on the landscapes and uses of Lake Saint‑Andéol (48), mobilising various methods (sedimentology, palynology, national and departmental archives, photo‑interpretation, fauna, flora and vegetation surveys, social surveys…). This contract resulted in 2 publications (see bibliography).
• Furthermore, for about five years, I have undertaken new research in geo‑history, historical ecology, micro‑history and landscape archaeology, notably in the Grésigne forest and its margins (Tarn), in collaboration with the SRA (Regional Archaeology Service), the CDAT (Departmental Archaeological Centre of Tarn) and the CAPA (Archaeological Centre of the Albigeois Region). This research focuses on the evolution of agro‑sylvo‑pastoral landscapes, their uses and practices by the various societies that have succeeded one another since the Early Middle Ages, their traces forming a genuine landscape palimpsest. Two articles have already been published in Archéologie Tarnaise (see bibliography), and I am leading a project for an archaeological guide to the Grésigne forest and its margins (to be published in 2020 in the “Guides archéologiques du Tarn” collection edited by the CDAT).