Science at UM [S05-ep07]: The Vulnerability of Farms in the Haut-Languedoc
This week on "Science at UM," three economists: Abderaouf Zaatra (Ciheam), Mélanie Requier (CIHEAM) and Hélène Rey-Valette (Cee-m). They discuss a study conducted in the Haut-Languedoc region on the vulnerability of farms to climate change. Marianne Dupré-Gabirot, head of the science outreach department, introduces the new season of the Bar des sciences. A program broadcast every Wednesday on Divergence.
While the winter has been a bit harsher than usual so far this year, January’s cold snap does nothing to alter Météo France’s alarming assessment: 2025—like 2022, 2023, and 2024 before it—is among the warmest years ever recorded in France since 1900.
Climate change—which, by the way, will be the subject of the upcoming issue of Lum magazine—affects agriculture first and foremost, especially in our northern regions, which are even more affected than the rest of France. A few dozen kilometers from here, in the Haut-Languedoc—a highly rural region spanning 1,900km² that stretches from the Orb River in the north to Capestan in the south and from the Lauragais plain in the west to the Béziers area in the east—the number of farms has plummeted by 60% in just over 20 years. This decline clearly calls into question our region’s resilience. And while climate change is not the sole cause, it will be the primary driver in the coming years if nothing is done.
So how can we tackle this? First, by accurately assessing one’s vulnerability and the factors contributing to it. That’s for farmers! Second, by making informed strategic choices. That’s for public authorities! To address this dual challenge, our guests conducted a study that combines these two approaches: assessing farm vulnerability and evaluating farmers’ perceptions of vulnerability factors. An article published in the journal Land on July 1, 2025.
Abderaouf Zaatra and Mélanie Requier are researchers at the International Centre for Advanced Agricultural Studies in Montpellier (CIHEAM); Hélène Rey-Valette is a researcher at the Montpellier Center for Environmental Economics (CEE-M).
See also:
Abderaouf Zaatra’s dissertation, titled: “Vulnerability of Farms and Preferences for Adapting to Climate Change in the Pays Haut Languedoc and Vineyard Region.”
Our last-minute guest is Marianne Dupré-Gabirot, head of the science communication department at UM. She’s here to introduce the new season of the Science Bar. The next event will take place on January 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Brasserie Le Dôme, as always. The topic? Viral diseases: between panic and trivialization. It’s a timely topic!
At UM Science, you’ve got the program—let’s get started!
Co-production: Divergence FM / University of Montpellier
Host: Lucie Lecherbonnier
Interview: Lucie Lecherbonnier / Aline Périault
Production: Alice Rollet
Tune in to the show “A l’UM la science” on Divergence FM 93.9
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