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Soil restoration and de-artificialization are generating considerable interest among many stakeholders as a way to address biodiversity and climate challenges. However, an approach focused solely on soil productivity restauration risks neglecting the biodiversity already established on these brownfield sites and degraded areas. This article presents a frugal approach to soil restoration that relies on existing and potential species—adapted to atypical environments—spontaneous dynamics, soil maintenance, and adaptation to local constraints. Examples from the Nord and Pas-de-Calais territory demonstrate the value of utilizing spoil heaps, quarries, and sand pits rather than resorting to "all-out afforestation".
Demographic and land pressures in (peri)urban areas as well as the zero net artificialization law in France, encourage the remediation of polluted soils. Phytotechnologies, which reduce, at a moderate cost, environmental and health risks and promote the refunctionalization of degraded soils, have thus developed over the last twenty years. However, monitoring of the treated site over time, the establishment of contaminated plant management channels and scientific mediation with populations are required. Phytoextraction, phytostabilization and phytovolatilization applied to soils polluted by persistent metals are approached in a transversal manner: scientific research, regulation and applications.
This article analyzes strategies for the detection and remediation of chlordecone, a pesticide once widely used in the French Antilles. It covers its history, examines its physicochemical properties, and assesses its health effects. Various decontamination techniques, such as microbial biodegradation, phytoremediation, and compost sequestration, are explored. The extraction and quantification of chlordecone in environmental and biological matrices, along with associated analytical methods, are presented. Finally, the article highlights the need for advances in extraction and detection to optimize decontamination treatments.
Inspired from Nature Based Solutions, eco-design of maritime infrastructures is one of the pragmatics, technically and economically, responses to achieve legal mitigation objectives, adapted to each environment and aesthetically concerns to the natural underwater landscapes. This article presents the bases for the realization of eco-designed maritime infrastructures functional and efficient in terms of civil engineering and ecology, to enhance its integration into coastal or marine ecosystems. The original methodological approach, for the realization of eco-designed projects, is supported by concrete examples. The development of maritime territories is depicted from the perspective of ecological transition and additional biological conservation targets supported by human infrastructures.
Rivers are extremely diverse ecosystems in terms of size, geographic location, hydraulic and ecological specificities. However, it is possible to identify common points relating to their ecology and the functional processes that take place there; this makes it possible to develop studies and analysis methods common to all rivers and to identify optimized operating and management rules. Rivers, like all terrestrial environments, are seriously threatened by human development. After an overview of the major hydro-ecological characteristics of rivers, this article addresses ecological restoration tools and methods, based on a regional example developed in the Beaujolais region.
Soil organic carbon is important for soil quality and climate regulation. The evolution of the organic carbon stock of a soil depends on the balance between carbon inputs, mainly in the form of plant litter, and soil carbon outputs, mainly via the heterotrophic respiration of soil micro-organisms. This article discusses past and future changes in soil organic carbon stocks and organic carbon storage potential in soils.
Phytomanagement is an integrating risk management approach of polluted sites and soils (PSS). It is based on phytotechnologies and sustainable management objectives of PSS. Its applicability is based on a technical feasibility study integrating preliminary laboratory assays which allows to ensure that phytotechnologies achieve the management or remediation objectives of pollutants on the site. If positive, pilot assays could be carried out prior to the whole site implementation and site objectives monitoring. This methodology will be illustrated by experience feedback.
In order to combat the threats facing the environment, ecological engineering seeks to respond to the challenges that societies are now facing, such as the erosion of biodiversity or climate change. To do this, ecological engineering implements developments in line with the mechanisms of ecosystems to protect the environment. In order for these developments to be as respectful as possible of ecosystems, it is important to adopt an ecodesign approach. Ecodesign will in fact make it possible to choose the materials that present the least risk to the planet in the short and long term.
The multiplicity of (peri)urban agriculture (UA) projects at the global level illustrates its key role in social, environmental and economic dynamics. These projects respond to the challenges of sustainable cities and are part of the collective and inter/transdisciplinary dynamics of Territorial Food Plans, or the Zero Net Artificialization law. However, conflicts of use for spaces and pollution are frequently observed and force actors to negotiate around issues related to land. This article deals with the dynamics driven by UAs on a global scale and in France to promote sectoral and multi-actor ecological transitions on the themes of sustainable food, environmental health and inclusive education.
Biodiverse walls are new vertical greening systems designed to support biodiversity in dense and mineral urban environments, where access to natural soil is limited. With a strong objective of autonomy and minimal maintenance, these walls incorporate a continuous and organic substrate layer within a structural wall made of building materials. The article describes various design parameters, including construction systems, materials, species selection, and substrate types, as well as maintenance practices, methods for ecological monitoring of the masonry prototypes, and their ongoing development. Results indicate that these structures support diverse species, with habitat suitability varying according to wall type and orientation.
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