For researches on the environment and the anthroposystems in connection with the societal stakes
The LTER realize a vast network between interdisciplinar research organisms on environment and anthroposystems in connection with the societal questions of national interest.
Twelve are at present in service and a network inter ZA about the city is under construction in association with the LTER site of Baltimore.
Their specificity lives in the size of the object of study, which is region-wide. Their problem is the interactions between an environment and the societies which occupy and exploit it.
The understanding of these interactions involves a multidisciplinary approach including in particular the nature sciences, life sciences, human sciences and engineering sciences in an objective to answer a specific territorial question which can be elaborated in interaction with the administrators.
The big themes treated are :
- Big rivers / pond / services / management : ZA « Seine »,« Loire », « Rhône », « Moselle »
- Usage of lands / biodiversity : ZA « Armorique », « Alpes », « Plaine et Val de Sèvre », « Hwange » (Zimbabwe)
- Climate change / biodiversity / biogeochemistry : ZA « Terres australes et antarctiques », « Alpes »
- Urban Environment : ZA « Environnementale Urbaine » (Strasbourg)
- Relations between earth and sea : ZA "Brest Iroise"
- Ecology and society : ZA "Arc jurassien"
The scientific production which results from works, at once fundamental and finalized, makes it easily useful by the administrators (organisms of management of environmental resources, communities, associations) in answer to their request of knowledge, expertise and has all its place in the local debates on the management, development and assessment of public policies.
Carried by all the EPST, universities and high schools working in the field of the environment, the LTER represent flexible and effective multiple structures of stake in synergy: human and material potential at the regional level, results of research and public debate, education.