Webinars: “The PEPR Agroecology and Digital Technologies Duos”

Register now for the first webinar: ‘Observing socio-ecosystems: environmental sensors at the heart of current issues and challenges’.

Register now

Date: Tuesday 29 September 2026, from 1.00 pm to 2.00 pm

Featuring:

• Laurent Longuevergne (CNRS, UMR Géosciences Rennes), project coordinator for TERRA FORMA Equipex+
• Benoît RICCI (INRAE, UMR ABSys, Montpellier), project coordinator for BIODICAPT
• Bertrand GAUFFRE (INRAE, UR PSH, Avignon), project coordinator for BIODICAPT

TERRA FORMA is an Équipex+ project (2021–2029) which aims to develop sensors and observation services to better understand the interactions between living and non-living entities, and between humans and non-humans, which shape the trajectories of socio-ecosystems and the conditions for human habitation in different regions. To meet this challenge, the project is developing a national observation platform based on ‘instrumental frugality’, combining simple, open and modular systems adapted to the constraints of the field. It strengthens observation capabilities through the deployment of heterogeneous, distributed sensor networks and the production of well-documented data with high spatial and temporal resolution. Backed by research infrastructure, TERRA FORMA is building a complete value chain, from instrument development to the production, validation, sharing and reuse of data in situ. It thus aims to promote instrumental agility and a coherent national architecture to support interdisciplinary and collaborative research. This platform is based on five complementary services: eRECA, for sharing instrumental developments; PULSE, for remote data transmission from sensor networks; CEBA, for data management and FAIR standardisation; RIPOSTE, for the pooling of instruments and expertise; and SAPS, dedicated to citizen science and participatory science.

BIODICAPT is a PEPR project (2024–2029) that develops and optimises the deployment of sensors (microphones, cameras, satellites) to monitor agricultural biodiversity at various scales: the plot, the production catchment area, and at national level. To account for a wide variety of production systems and biogeographical contexts, these sensors are deployed across eight existing regional plot networks and are being trialled on a larger scale within institutional monitoring networks at national level. Statistical models are being developed to analyse these multi-taxon and multi-sensor data in relation to agricultural practices, agri-environmental measures and the landscape, with the aim of producing biodiversity indices. BIODICAPT also aims to provide farmers with low-cost, energy-efficient sensors to assess biodiversity on their plots. The data collected will be used to create reliable and accessible biodiversity indicators. This information will help inform farmers, members of the public and decision-makers, thereby promoting the most effective agroecological practices for enhancing biodiversity.