ARCHI - Plant architecture and functioning
Keywords
Understanding the "structure-function-time-environment" relationships that govern the three-dimensional development of individual plants along ontogeny, according to the architectural approach initiated in the 1970s by F. Hallé et R. Oldeman (Hallé et al. 1978 - Tropical Trees and Forests - An Architectural Analysis. Springer).
In order to understand the functioning, evolution and adaptation of plants, we develop research on : (i) the links between architectural attributes and functions ("functional traits") related to exploration (occupation of space), assimilation (photosynthesis, root absorption), transport (flow, cavitation), reserves (role of parenchyma, water storage), support (mechanical support and postural control), defence (heartwood formation, morpho-anatomical adaptations), and survival strategies via vegetative and/or sexual reproduction ; (ii) the functional role of anatomy in the broad sense (pith, wood, bark, leaves...); (iii) the evolution of plant architecture, from fossil plants to phylogenies based on contemporary species and their biogeography (heterochrony, radiation, architectural convergences and divergences).
This work is based on : the study of growth forms (trees, shrubs, bushes, epiphytes, lianas); the morpho-anatomical analysis of the fundamental organisation of the plant (architecture, regularities, similarities) and the functioning of the shoots (stem-petiole-limb interface) and the tree crown; the relationships between primary and secondary growth, between stem and root development; the study of the multifunctional role of wood (mechanical support and hydraulic conduction), the determinants and the role of the epicormic branches (repair mechanisms).
Plants are also studied in their environment through the relationships between architecture, functional traits and biotic factors; interactions between individuals within the stand and communities (competition for resources, forest succession).
This work has applied spin-offs for the selection of species or varieties in agronomy and forestry; the development of diagnostic tools for tree management in cities, monitoring forest health; the definition of sampling protocols for the structure of large forest canopies, the determination of ontogenetic stages (architectural stages), or the measurement of functional traits in community ecology.
Several of our projects are conducted in French Guiana (partly supported by LabEx Ceba, and in New Caledonia, partly supported by IRD infrastructure and the Herbarium of New Caledonia).
| Acronym | Title | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CoForFunc | Toward a biome-scale monitoring of the COngo basin FORest FUNCtional composition Porteur : Raphaël PELISSIER | 2024 - 2027 |
| CORMIER3R-II | Convergence Cormier - Réseau, Ressources et Résilience d'un arbre oublié au service de la transition agro-écologique Porteur : Marilyne LAURANS | 2023 - 2026 |
| DCB-Kerry | PA-RG202502- Vegetation changes around the Devonian-Carboniferous boundary: a case study in Co. Kerry, Ireland Porteur : Anne-Laure DECOMBEIX | 2025 - 2026 |
| DigitAF | Des outils numériques pour aider l\'agroforesterie à atteindre ses objectifs en matière de climat, de biodiversité et de durabilité agricole : relier le terrain et le cloud Porteur : Marie GOSME (INRAe) | 2022 - 2026 |
| DoForChange | Des forêts domestiques en transition : repenser la résilience et la gouvernance d’une interface socio-écologique en changement Porteur : Julien BLANCO (IRD) | 2025 - 2029 |
| FLORAPYR 3D | Coopérer pour surveiller et conserver la flore pyrénéenne Porteur : Yann HELARY (CBNPMP) | 2024 - 2027 |
| ISLETS | Island Leaf Ecophysiological Trait Synthesis Porteurs : Claire FORTUNEL / Kasey BARTON (University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa) | 2023 - 2026 |
BESSON Ninon 2025 - 2027. Etude de la phénologie végétative des forêts d'Afrique Centrale.. Ecole doctorale : GAIA / Université de Montpellier. Dir : HEURET Patrick / Co-dir. : BARBIER Nicolas
GAUDRY Thibaud 2026 - 2029. projet de thèse impliquant des analyses de l’architecture des plantes et la mise en œuvre de méthode d’analyses phylogénétiques avancées pour reconstruire l’évolution de l’Architecture des Rosaceae en Eurasie.. Académie des Sciences Polonaises. Dir : CHURSKI Marcin / Co-dir. : CHARLES-DOMINIQUE Tristan
LO BUE Gabriela 2025 - 2028. Plasticité architecturale des plantes ligneuses en réponse à l’herbivorie par les grands Mammifères : comparaison entre biomes européens. Ecole doctorale : GAIA / Université de Montpellier. Dir : COUTERON Pierre
- UMR DIADE, IRD Montpellier : Jérôme Duminil et Romain Guyot ;
- Ecole centralesupelec, Université de Paris Saclay : Véronique Lechevalier ;
- UMR Ecofog : Sabrina Coste (UG), Clément Stahl (INRA
- Université d’Ulm (Allemagne) : Steven Jansen
- ISEM Montpellier : Benoît Brossier (CNRS)
- UR Forêt et Sociétés (Cirad): Charles Doumenge, Loic Dutrieux, Valéry Gond
- Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI): Jacqueline Uku





























































































































































