ECO-InvasionS: First BIOPOLIS Collaborative Project between CIBIO and CEE-M

InvasionS is excited to announce the launch of ECO-InvasionS, a pioneering project marking the first collaboration between CIBIO and CEE-M (Centre for Environmental Economics – Montpellier). 

This initiative, funded by BIOPOLIS in the context of their "Education, Research & Outreach"  Call, is a collaboration between CIBIO’s InvasionS group (Joana R. Vicente and Eva Malta-Pinto) and researchers from CEE-M (Nicolas Quérou and Pierre Courtois) and represents a significant step towards integrating ecological and economic perspectives on biological invasions, with the goal of finding common ground and identifying both conflicts and opportunities in this critical area of research.

For CIBIO, this collaboration is a key contributor to its strategic line of research "TL3: Sustainability, Ecosystem, and the Environment”, particularly in advancing the objectives of: Biological Invasions (ii), Ecosystem Services (iv) and Urban and Landscape Planning and Management (vi).

By reconciling ecological and economic perspectives, ECO-InvasionS aims to stimulate meaningful dialogue and foster collaborative approaches to address the complex challenges posed by biological invasions. The partnership is designed to drive the development of innovative solutions that effectively balance environmental sustainability with economic interests. 

A significant aspect of ECO-InvasionS is the opportunity for capacity building. The project will facilitate the transfer of scientific knowledge and technical skills from CEE-M's experienced researchers to CIBIO’s students and researchers, with a focus on the economics of biological invasions and relevant methodologies. This exchange will not only boost research capabilities in transdisciplinary fields but will also strengthen CIBIO's impact within the scientific community and beyond.

The first major step in this collaboration is the Advanced Course "Tackling current challenges in ecology: novel tools and technologies – applications to invasion science” scheduled for June 30th - July 3rd. CEE-M colleagues will share their expertise in a dedicated day focused on the "Economics of Invasive Species”.

The benefits of ECO-InvasionS will extend beyond academia. By equipping researchers with cutting-edge expertise and methodologies, the project will improve CIBIO's ability to engage with policy makers and other stakeholders. This, in turn, will empower CIBIO to play a more influential role in shaping policies and practices that address biological invasions and their socioeconomic effects.