Agroecology on the agenda at the next Science Bar

[Press release] - Published on April 4, 2024 in Press Room

On April 25, starting at 8:30 p.m., the next Science Bar organized by the University of Montpellier will take place. For this edition, Riccardo Bommarco, professor of agricultural entomology at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Uppsala, Sweden, Marie Gosme, agronomist and specialist in temperate agroforestry systems at INRAE, and Yves Vigouroux, director of biology research at IRD, will debate with the public on the issue of adapting agroecology to the challenges of climate change.

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.

A Science Bar dedicated to agroecology

Agriculture faces two challenges: ensuring food and nutritional security and adapting to climate change while helping to mitigate its impacts. Climate change has multiple consequences for agriculture: extreme weather events, changes in rainfall patterns, soil structure and water resources, lower agricultural yields, loss of biodiversity, and the emergence of new pests and diseases affecting crops, humans and animals. In this context, adaptation refers to the ability of a system to adjust and adapt. It therefore encompasses all measures taken to reduce the vulnerability of natural and human systems to the actual or expected effects of climate change.

To discuss this topic of science and society, three multidisciplinary experts will answer questions from the audience:

• Riccardo Bommarco, Professor of Agricultural Entomology at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Uppsala, Sweden. He holds a PhD in Agronomy and specializes in Entomology. He is also a Professor of Ecology. Visiting scientist at MAK'IT – University of Montpellier.

• Marie Gosme, agricultural researcher specializing in temperate agroforestry systems at the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Environment, and Food (INRAE Occitanie-Montpellier) – UMR AbSys (biodiversified agrosystems).
• Yves Vigouroux, Director of Biology Research, Director of the Diversity, Adaptation, and Plant Development (Diade) Joint Research Unit at the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD).