Sustaining Economic Exploitation of Complex Ecosystems in Computational Models of Coupled Human-Natural Networks

Understanding ecological complexity has stymied scientists for decades. Recent elucidation of the famously coined "devious strategies for stability in enduring natural systems" has opened up a new field of computational analyses of complex ecological networks where the nonlinear dynamics of many interacting species can be more realistically mod-eled and understood. Here, we describe the first extension of this field to include coupled human-natural systems. This extension elucidates new strategies for sustaining extraction of biomass (e.g., fish, forests, fiber) from ecosystems that account for ecological complexity and can pursue multiple goals such as maximizing economic profit, employment and carbon sequestration by ecosystems. Our more realistic modeling of ecosystems helps explain why simpler "maxi-mum sustainable yield" bioeconomic models underpinning much natural resource extraction policy leads to less profit, biomass, and biodiversity than predicted by those simple models. Current research directions of this integrated natu-ral and social science include applying artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and multiplayer online games

Les productions françaises d’oléagineux de spécialité : des démarches en filière pour créer de la valeur dans nos territoires

Dans un contexte de demande de diversification de la part du consommateur, de recherche de nouveaux débouchés pour les producteurs et de mondialisation des marchés oléagineux, les acteurs de la filière française ont développé des productions de spécialité afin de redonner de la valeur ajoutée à la filière. Cette analyse dresse un panorama de ces productions à travers quatre exemples : la filière oléique pour des qualités nutritionnelles et fonctionnelles reconnues, la filière érucique pour une diversité de débouchés en oléochimie, la filière Fleur de Colza – démarche de long terme de partenariat agricole – et la filière bio – un marché jeune, dynamique, en cours de structuration. Dans chaque cas, la valorisation pour le producteur nécessite une démarche de filière avec l’accompagnement de l’ensemble des acteurs afin de valoriser l’origine française par la traçabilité, apporter conseil et formation aux agriculteurs, optimiser la supply chain, soutenir la recherche variétale et développer la contractualisation pluriannuelle

Ideal oil and protein crops – what are users ideotypes, from the farmer to the consumer?

Oil & protein ideotypes might be “ideal” in terms of agronomy, they cannot be grown if they do not meet a demand. And while plant breeding takes years to develop new varieties, consumers can change their habits very quickly. Understand the “ideal” crops from the downstream point of view is therefore of paramount importance for R&D. In this review, we look at the current and what may be the future demands for the oil and protein crops. Because of diversity of products and consumers around the world, we chose to focus on French and Western Europe productions and markets: 1) consumers are in a quest for quality, traceability and sustainability (economic, social and environmental) with specific focus on GMO-free and organic demands. Some go vegan and more and more people switch from animal to vegetal protein intakes. And they want to rethink the agriculture model. 2) The food industry must adapt to all these demands while develop solutions for technological obstacles and remain cost-competitive. 3) The farmer needs crop profitability that relies on high and steady yields, eco-friendly and cost-competitive crop management techniques and decent price

Ideal oil and protein crops – what are users ideotypes, from the farmer to the consumer?

Oil & protein ideotypes might be “ideal” in terms of agronomy, they cannot be grown if they do not meet a demand. And while plant breeding takes years to develop new varieties, consumers can change their habits very quickly. Understand the “ideal” crops from the downstream point of view is therefore of paramount importance for R&D. In this review, we look at the current and what may be the future demands for the oil and protein crops. Because of diversity of products and consumers around the world, we chose to focus on French and Western Europe productions and markets: 1) consumers are in a quest for quality, traceability and sustainability (economic, social and environmental) with specific focus on GMO-free and organic demands. Some go vegan and more and more people switch from animal to vegetal protein intakes. And they want to rethink the agriculture model. 2) The food industry must adapt to all these demands while develop solutions for technological obstacles and remain cost-competitive. 3) The farmer needs crop profitability that relies on high and steady yields, eco-friendly and cost-competitive crop management techniques and decent price