Lakes and ponds of the Aquitaine Atlantic coast are unique natural ecosystems, not only at the national but also at the European scale. These systems host a high taxonomic diversity, especially for aquatic plants. Indeed, isoetid communities represent a set of species with high conservation value, also including one endemic species. These communities are however highly threatened, especially by anthropogenic activities, and most of the coastal Aquitaine’s lakes have already experienced their extinction. Knowledge on these species is still however scarce, particularly concerning their genetic diversity. While conservation and restoration actions are emerging with the redaction of a National Plan for preserving these communities, understanding their genetic diversity, their relationships with taxonomic and functional diversity appear as a major issue.

• Starting date: 1/12/2022
• Research units: UR 1454 EABX Aquatic Ecosystems and Global Change, UMR 1202 BIOGECO Biodiversity, genetic and communities
• INRAE Centre: Nouvelle Aquitaine Bordeaux
• PhD supervisors: Aurélien Jamoneau (community ecology) et Olivier Lepais (population genetic)
• PhD Student: Estelle-Marie BLANQUART
• University and Doctoral School: Ecole doctorale Sciences et Environnement, University of Bordeaux
• Funding : Biosefair metaprogramme / Région Nouvelle Aquitaine
• Disciplines impliquées : génétique des populations et des communautés, écologie des communautés
• Départements concernés : AQUA, ECODIV
• Unités impliquées : UMR EABX, UMR BIOGECO

Objectifs

This doctoral project is based on 3 work packages. First, a comparative genetic diversity analysis of 9 species of the community will be initiated and should give information about the distinct effect of historical and environmental variables on species demography. Second, the relationship between genetic and taxonomic diversity will be investigated and should deliver crucial information on biological interactions and metacommunity functioning. Finally, results will be considered within a conservation perspective, examining genetic isolation of protected species to suggest adapted management for their conservation.

Contacts :

• Olivier Lepais
• Aurélien Jamoneau
• Estelle-Marie Blanquart