Context
The Camargue delta is internationally known for both its natural and cultural heritage and diversity. This status has been acknowledged in the frame of different conservation programs such as the Ramsar convention, the UNESCO Man and Biopshere program and it is also a Regional natural park.
The richness of the Camargue stems from its complex interactions between man and nature and has been changing overtime. To understand how the Camargue might be developing towards the future, we are currently developing future scenarios based on changes in the water management of the Camargue in a joint funded research project with INRA Montpellier. The current water management in the Camargue is opposite to the naturally occurring dynamics and is largely determined by the agricultural practices and cultures currently in place. However, the current water management is also facilitating and maintaining the large diversity of habitats, species, ecosystem services and values to exist in the Camargue, making it a crucial factor in the socio-ecological system dynamics.
Objectives
The main objective of this internship is to develop possible storylines on how the different actors in the Camargue area might respond to changes in water management and the possible impacts this might have on biodiversity and ecosystem services in the delta. This study will be partly done on literature and partly through participatory methods with local stakeholders. This information then needs to be further prepared so it can serve as input data into a model (Gaucherel and Pommereau 2017; Gaucherel et al 2017). This work will be done in the frame of a project in collaboration with INRA Montpellier.
References
- Gaucherel, C. and F. Pommereau. 2017. Petri nets of ecosystems to quantify resilience and identify catastrophic shifts Submitted.
- Gaucherel, C., H. Théro, A. Puiseux, and V. Bonhomme. 2017. Understand ecosystem regime shifts by modelling ecosystem development using Boolean networks. Ecological Complexity 31:104-114.
Profile and competencies
- Master degree in environmental or social sciences
- Excellent capacities in data handling
- Very good redaction skills (English and/or French)
- Experience with participatory research methods
- Enjoys working in a team
- Basic knowledge on ecology and statistics are highly appreciated.
Conditions
The internship will be officially supervised by Cédric Gaucherel (CIRAD), Ilse Geijzendorffer and Olivier Boutron (both Tour du Valat Research Institute for the Conservation of Mediterranean Wetlands in the Camargue, South of France).
You are expected to undertake part of your literature research and your participatory methods to consult experts and local actors in the Camargue. A second intern based at INRA in Montpellier will develop the model and you are expected to collaborate with this second intern to prepare the data that you have gathered in the right format to be included in the model, as well as to contribute in the interpretation and validation of the model outputs.
- Duration: 6 months (between January and August 2019)
- Monthly allowance: 569 €.
- Possible accommodation at the Tour du Valat (in a shared 2 beds room for ~70€/month) and to have lunch (3€/day)
Candidature
Send a detailed CV and a cover letter to the main responsible of the internship Ilse Geijzendorffer, Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory Coordinator (e-mail) before November 16th, 2018 and Cédric Gaucherel (e-mail). Skype interviews will be scheduled in the first week of December 2018. Dates will be sent later to the pre-selected candidates.