Hybrids at the heart of the ecological transition: forest plantations as an object of research

Résumé En

Forest plantations are growing worldwide. Indeed, they are all the more encouraged in the context of climate change and necessary energy transition. They are thus considered as indispensable by some. But they are at the center of controversies and, consequently, they are considered at the same time as artificial and contrary to biodiversity by others. This criticism is particularly valid for mono-specific plantations, formed by fast-growing species, on which we will focus. They thus crystallize societal concerns about nature. Heavily artificialized because planted, these plant formations appear to be the opposite of the idealized wilderness. But they are nonetheless hybrids, between nature and culture, leading us to question our representations of nature.In this paper, we will show that forest plantations are an original but relevant research object in the era of global changes, provided that they are approached in an interdisciplinary manner, combining biogeography and ecology, taking into account socio-economic and environmental issues. To conduct such a study, the mobilization of two complementary concepts proves fruitful: the concepts of ecosystem services and landscape.The presentation will be based on several research projects conducted on the subject in different fields (in France and Vietnam). In particular, we will share the experiences acquired in the framework of a project aiming at "maximizing the ecosystem services of forest plantations in a context of climate change" in the Centre-Val de Loire region (France): Plantaclim project, which integrates biogeographers and ecologists; turning towards operationality, they also include socio-economic actors. Offering a transversal view, the biogeography confirms her position as a synergy center, facilitating dialogues, building bridges between disciplines and between researchers and practitioners.