Rivoc and BiodivOc: The Keys to a Better Future in Occitanie

[Article] - Published on April 5, 2021 under Research Centers, Research Units

Advancer regional in the region to better preserve biodiversity and combat vector-borne diseases. This is the mission that the Occitanie region has chosen to entrust toUM part of these last two key challenges. An initiative aimed at bring togetherregional academic, scientific, and economic resources around major strategic issues for the future of Occitanie. Here is an overview of these two key challenges, dubbed BiovidOc and Rivoc.

A body of water at a gravel pit in Haute-Garonne.
Copyright: © Rémy Lassus, EDB Laboratory, Toulouse.

How will we live in Occitanie in the coming decades? What will our climate be like? What impacts will this have on biodiversity? On human, animal, and plant health? Will we face new diseases? If so, will we have the means to treat them? Will we have succeeded in developing greener energy? While these questions are at the heart of science, the connections between research teams at the regional level are sometimes poorly structured, and ties with the business community still need to be strengthened to enable, in the long run, greater utilization of research results at the local level.

Making Research More Attractive in Occitanie

“I’m one of those who believe that research can be useful,” says Montpellier-based biologist Didier Fontenille, “and when it addresses societal, economic, health, or environmental issues, we must seize this opportunity to bring about change. ” And for this researcher at the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), the opportunity to make a difference is called Rivoc, one of the four key challenges supported by the Occitanie region, which was officially launched on March 18. A few days before the launch of BiodivOc—the second key challenge led byUM spearheaded this time by ecologist and evolutionary biologist Philippe Jarne, a CNRS researcher at the Center for Functional and Evolutionary Studies (CEFE)—

"Key Challenges" is an initiative of the Occitanie region aimed at identifying and bringing together the scientific community and local economic stakeholders around strategic themes for the region. “Excel, unite, and protect—these are the three keywords that apply to the goals we want to achieve,” says Nadia Pellefigue, vice president in charge of economic development, innovation, research, and higher education. “We’ve been in dialogue with researchers to mobilize resources where we can make rapid progress. We want to implement initiatives that facilitate an ecological transition and help make research more collaborative, more visible, and more attractive in Occitanie.” Four key challenges have been launched so far, two of which are led by the University of Montpellier, in line with MUSE’s three pillars: nourish, care, and protect.

Heal and Protect with Rivoc and BiodivOc

The goal of the Rivoc key challenge is to provide care, in particular by anticipating the diseases of the future (see sidebar) and by using research to foster the development of new control strategies. “Many animal diseases not only cause production losses but also pose a risk to human health. The Occitanie region, mindful of both the health risks and local economic challenges, has decided to support this project,” explains Didier Fontenille.

This is a topic that is already well established in Montpellier, Perpignan, and Toulouse, where there is a strong expertise in the field. It is also part of the broader “One Health” strategy, which views human, animal, and plant health—and, more broadly, environmental health—as a single, integrated whole. “An unhealthy environment leads to diseases in plants, animals, and humans. This ties in with the concept of biodiversity,” adds the director of Rivoc.

Biodiversity, which is at the very heart of the second key challenge, BiodivOc. “If there is one scientific field that is essential for addressing these issues, it is scientific ecology,” emphasizes Philippe Augé, president of the University of Montpellier. “And that’s fortunate! Because it is also a field of particular strength atUM one of the pillars of the MUSE project, which aims to promote a transition toward an environmentally friendly society.”

Occitanie does indeed have exceptional environmental potential, but it is under heavy pressure from human activities. “The region is also one of 34 biodiversity hotspots. This means it is very rich in species. We have a diversity of landscapes that continues to amaze me every day, but it also means that this biodiversity is under serious threat,” warns Philippe Jarne. The causes include very high population pressure, which poses major challenges for natural resource management; intensive agricultural activity; and local species threatened by the arrival of exotic species such as the coypu or the infamous tiger mosquito, which is addressed in this second key challenge. “The relationship we each have with nature is philosophical in nature, but this loss of biodiversity will not come without economic, social, and health consequences.”

Synergy Booster

For all stakeholders, the success of these key challenges therefore depends above all on better structuring of research based on synergy, as Philippe Augé points out. “These are excellent tools for fostering interactions among regional research hubs, organizations, and disciplines; for creating synergy among the 30,000 researchers in Occitanie; and for developing projects with the private sector and nonprofit organizations, as well as making scientific knowledge accessible to as many people as possible.”

Stemming from the KIM Rive initiative launched by Muse last February, the Rivoc key challenge already has about 40 partners. These include academic and university partners in Montpellier, Toulouse, and Perpignan; institutional partners such as the ministries of agriculture and health; professional associations; civil society organizations; and companies working to combat vector-borne diseases—developing diagnostics, medications, or vector control tools that are more environmentally friendly than current pesticides. “The region’s mandate is to organize scientific activities that include multidisciplinary basic research, of course, but also implementation initiatives—that is, the application of research and expertise at the regional level—and this is already beginning to forge connections, build networks, and create opportunities,” explains Didier Fontenille. Several companies in Toulouse have reportedly already contacted researchers in Montpellier with a view to collaborating, “and the door remains open to anyone who believes they can contribute to or benefit from Rivoc,” adds the director (1).

Action-oriented research is something to which Philippe Jarne also feels deeply committed. “Among our objectives are, of course, a better understanding of biodiversity and the mechanisms that govern it, but there are also issues of cross-disciplinary collaboration and socio-economic partnerships. This isn’t necessarily the area where our community is expected to focus, yet we are already heavily involved in shaping public policy. ” To achieve these goals, the ecologist will be able to count on the 70 partners already participating in the BiodivOc challenge, including about twenty research units in Perpignan, Toulouse, Banyuls, Moulis, and, of course, Montpellier, as well as organizations such as theCemeb and TULIP Labex programs. “We will draw on collaborative platforms, develop a multidisciplinary approach, and build relationships with biodiversity managers, as well as with consulting firms and large private companies.”

From Occitanie to the Rest of the World

Each of these two key challenges will receive regional funding of 2 million euros over four years. For BiodivOc, this amount will specifically make it possible to fund “between 3 and 5 projects, each receiving approximately 300,000 euros, and involving at least five teams across two university campuses. “We want to turn these projects into dynamic scientific initiatives and use them as a springboard to secure additional funding.” As for Rivoc, this funding could also make it possible to bring in collaborators: “If African, American, or Asian researchers working on vector-borne diseases want to see what we’re doing in Occitanie, we have the funding to bring them here for three to six months,” adds Didier Fontenille.

For both researchers, while everything starts in Occitanie, the goal remains the dissemination of knowledge and making it available to everyone. “We certainly aren’t going to fund research on penguins in Antarctica, but our research won’t be limited to Occitanie because the issues are much broader,” says the biodiversity specialist. “Our hope is that the rest of the world will take an interest in us, understand that things are happening in Occitanie, and come work with us—but conversely, we have a duty to put these findings to work for the rest of the world,” concludes the director of Rivoc.

(1): For more information, please contact Rivoc-Projet and BiodivOc

Keywords: Initiatives, Research, Health