Looking for the smallest detail
Mapping urban biodiversity by learning to identify plants and animals: that’s the idea behind “Inventaire fac,” a citizen science project open to everyone.
“There’s life in the city!“. That is the motto of the Naturalist Group at the University of Montpellier (GNUM). A teeming, ever-present life: “ Biodiversity is everywhere, even in the heart of the city, where animal and plant species abound. It’s up to us to keep our eyes open! “continues Guillaume Bagnolini, one of the leaders of this student organization. They invite people to actively explore this biodiversity through their ‘Inventaire fac’ project, which was officially launched on March 2.”
Fun and educational nature walks
Goal: to contribute to a scientific inventory of the flora and fauna found in Montpellier. The idea is simple: every week, Jean-Baptiste Le Floc’h leads two outings during which he guides a group of volunteers, with their noses in the air or close to the ground.“We collect specimens, identify plants and animals, and go for walks,” summarizes this trained botanist, who coordinates the project.
The city and all its green spaces serve as prime exploration grounds:“Montpellier’s university campuses, but also the banks of the Lez River, public gardens, and university housing complexes… ” Both scientific and fun, these walks are open to everyone: knowledgeable enthusiasts or beginners, as well as students or university staff curious to recognize edible plants or identify a bird or insect. This is the principle of so-called “participatory” science: allowing the general public to become full participants in research.
Discover and protect the environment
The primary benefit of this exercise is that it helps raise awareness of the fragility and beauty of life.“It is, above all, an educational process. Understanding the environment inspires a desire to protect it. We learn scientific methods in the field, and then we’re in a position to pass them on to others. Taking action and passing on knowledge are two effective ways of learning.”
Participants in the initiative are also on the front lines of environmental monitoring.“We’re in a position to alert public authorities and park managers to certain emergencies. For example, the need to protect the grass cover. This natural habitat, which shelters a whole population of insects, is often damaged by the intensive use of lawn mowers,” Jean-Baptiste continues.
Online Scientific Inventory
Inventaire fac lets you upload your contributions online to a dedicated database. You can submit photos, observations, and identification suggestions. All submissions will be reviewed by the contributor community and then by a scientific committee.
Once validated or supplemented, your contributions can finally be put to use by researchers:“Studying species distribution, their migrations linked to global warming, or even detecting the presence of pests: there are many scientific research topics,”concludes Guillaume Bagnolini.
- Get involved: inventairefac.com
- Contact: assognum.free.fr