Science Bar: Animal and Plant Migration Since the Dawn of Time
On June 13, starting at 7 p.m., the next Science Bar organized by the University of Montpellier will take place. For this edition, Fabien Anthelme, an ecologist at AMAP and Jean-Jacques Cornée, researcher at UM Geosciences, will talk with the public about these migrations of animal and plant populations.
Today, there is a wide variety of animal and plant species on Earth, estimated to number more than 8 million, although science has only catalogued 2 million. These living beings inhabit all areas of the globe, from the depths of the oceans to the peaks of mountains and from tropical forests to polar deserts. But how did biodiversity reach such a high number of species? Why are some places so diverse while others are relatively poor? Why don't environments with similar conditions have the same populations?
Keys to coping
Biodiversity and its distribution can be explained by numerous factors related to soil, climate, interactions, and also the geological history of our planet. Recent discoveries concerning the movement of tectonic plates have helped us to better understand the migration of animal and plant species. This knowledge, combined with observations of increasingly rapid contemporary changes, sheds light on the upheavals caused by human activity and provides keys to better addressing them.
To engage with the public, two experts will be present this month at the Science Bar:
- Fabien Anthelme is an ecologist and research director at IRD. He coordinates a research team at the AMAP laboratory (botany and modeling of plant and vegetation architecture) focusing on high-altitude tropical plants and ecosystems in the Andes.
- Jean-Jacques Cornée, Doctor Emeritus of the CNRS, is a member of the Geosciences Laboratory. He is currently studying the geological movements of the Antilles during the Tertiary period and the related population dynamics.
The Science Bar has become one of Montpellier's flagship scientific culture events, offering a monthly participatory and citizen-led debate on all aspects of science from January to June. Throughout the season, scientists are invited to engage in a dialogue where their knowledge and practices are shared, but can also be discussed. The season is co-produced by the scientific culture departments of the UM and its partners: INRAE, INSERM, and IRD. This evening event will be translated into sign language. Admission is free, subject to availability.
Practical information:
- Date: Thursday, June 13 at 7 p.m.
- Location: Emile Zola Media Library, 218 Boulevard de l’Aéroport International, 34000 Montpellier.
Free admission subject to availability