20
BIODIVERSlTE ET ENVIRONNEMENT
2. Create 3 National Research Programme on Biodiversity
The key questions bear on the role of biodiversity in the stability of ecosystems
and the ability of living communities to evolve rapidly. Protection of biodiversity
is necessary for the present sake of biosphere and for the protection of biological
resources future generations will need. A specific research effort must be imple—
mented and it must take advantage of a multidisciplinary approach (systematics,
ecology, population biology, genetics, molecular biology, social sciences).
In parallel an Engineering Science of Biodiversity must be developed to ans—
wer the following questions: what is to be protected ? and how ?
_
Such objectives require the implementation of a National Research Pro—
gramme on Biodiversity. Specific attention should be paid to the processes that
generate, modify or reduce biological diversity. Fundamental research is to be
linked from the beginning to the studies and the management of specific genetic
resources (these operations are presently coordinated by the Bureau des Res—
sources Génétiques) and of biological communities Of economic value (for ins—
tance plant—microorganisms associations). A very systematic effort has to be
oriented towards Microbiology which did not get enough attention in recent
years
Research institutions able to carry on such operations do exist in the
country (CEMAGREF, CIRAD, CNRS, IFREMER, INRA, MNHN, ORS—
TOM) but they are placed under various authorities. At present they have howe—
ver launched a collaborative project called Dynamique de la Biodiversité et
Environnement, in close interaction with the Ministère de l’Environnement.
This project got international recognition as the French branch of the internatio—
nal programme DIVERSITAS (UNESCO/IUB S/SCOPE).
ln spite of its interest this project suffers severe difficulties: it is not recognized
per se by several Ministeries, it does not receive any direct governmental fun—
ding, and consequently represents only the embryonic form of the true National
Research Programme on Biodiversity the country needs. Time has come for a full
scale operation with nationwide recognition and financial support. The manage—
ment can be placed under the auspices of CNRS, INRA or MNHN.
3. Education and information
Knowledge in the field of biodiversity is transferred to people by education
institutions, books, papers, and all modern media in a scattered manner. A natio—
nal policy is necessary to rationalize the ow of information, to prepare society
to receive it and benefit from it. Responsibility for the elaboration and the imple—
mentation of such a policy belongs to the Ministère de l’Education Nationale and
the Ministère de l’Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche. The periodical
updating of teaching programmes in schools and universities should provide the
opportunity to introduce Biodiversity and Biodiversity Engineering in the cursus
of the coming generations. The National Coordination should be part of the
future panels elaborating and amending the teaching programmes.
For public information media have the pertinent role and the French Acadé—
mie des sciences should be dedicated to amplifying the flow of information
from sciences and techniques on one hand to media and society on the other.
4. Resources management
Numerous attempts
to protect Biodiversity have already been developed in
the country With some success but in a scattered and uncoordinated manner.
In 1997,
the Ministère de l’Education Nationale, de la Recherche et de la Technologie has laun—
ched a national program on medical Microbiology.
.
BIODIVERSlTE ET ENVIRONNEMENT
2. Create 3 National Research Programme on Biodiversity
The key questions bear on the role of biodiversity in the stability of ecosystems
and the ability of living communities to evolve rapidly. Protection of biodiversity
is necessary for the present sake of biosphere and for the protection of biological
resources future generations will need. A specific research effort must be imple—
mented and it must take advantage of a multidisciplinary approach (systematics,
ecology, population biology, genetics, molecular biology, social sciences).
In parallel an Engineering Science of Biodiversity must be developed to ans—
wer the following questions: what is to be protected ? and how ?
_
Such objectives require the implementation of a National Research Pro—
gramme on Biodiversity. Specific attention should be paid to the processes that
generate, modify or reduce biological diversity. Fundamental research is to be
linked from the beginning to the studies and the management of specific genetic
resources (these operations are presently coordinated by the Bureau des Res—
sources Génétiques) and of biological communities Of economic value (for ins—
tance plant—microorganisms associations). A very systematic effort has to be
oriented towards Microbiology which did not get enough attention in recent
years
Research institutions able to carry on such operations do exist in the
country (CEMAGREF, CIRAD, CNRS, IFREMER, INRA, MNHN, ORS—
TOM) but they are placed under various authorities. At present they have howe—
ver launched a collaborative project called Dynamique de la Biodiversité et
Environnement, in close interaction with the Ministère de l’Environnement.
This project got international recognition as the French branch of the internatio—
nal programme DIVERSITAS (UNESCO/IUB S/SCOPE).
ln spite of its interest this project suffers severe difficulties: it is not recognized
per se by several Ministeries, it does not receive any direct governmental fun—
ding, and consequently represents only the embryonic form of the true National
Research Programme on Biodiversity the country needs. Time has come for a full
scale operation with nationwide recognition and financial support. The manage—
ment can be placed under the auspices of CNRS, INRA or MNHN.
3. Education and information
Knowledge in the field of biodiversity is transferred to people by education
institutions, books, papers, and all modern media in a scattered manner. A natio—
nal policy is necessary to rationalize the ow of information, to prepare society
to receive it and benefit from it. Responsibility for the elaboration and the imple—
mentation of such a policy belongs to the Ministère de l’Education Nationale and
the Ministère de l’Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche. The periodical
updating of teaching programmes in schools and universities should provide the
opportunity to introduce Biodiversity and Biodiversity Engineering in the cursus
of the coming generations. The National Coordination should be part of the
future panels elaborating and amending the teaching programmes.
For public information media have the pertinent role and the French Acadé—
mie des sciences should be dedicated to amplifying the flow of information
from sciences and techniques on one hand to media and society on the other.
4. Resources management
Numerous attempts
to protect Biodiversity have already been developed in
the country With some success but in a scattered and uncoordinated manner.
In 1997,
the Ministère de l’Education Nationale, de la Recherche et de la Technologie has laun—
ched a national program on medical Microbiology.
.