Structures, functions and movements of searcher shoots in climbing plants

Climbing plants must move from branch to branch to reach the light. To do so, diverse species produce shoots of various shapes and properties capable of crossing voids and seeking support. Some are short, thin, and light while others are long, branched, and leafy. Over time, some make movements that sweep across large spaces while others do not express any complex movements. It shown that there is a great diversity of ways for climbing plants to cross spaces in search of supports on which to climb. The observations made provide a wide survey of climbing plants adaptations that are of interest to better understand the functioning of forest ecosystems and inspire the development of new technologies in soft robotics.

Composition du jury
M. Julien BACHELIER - Professeur des Universités, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin - Rapporteur
M. Thomas SPECK - Professeur des Universités, University of Freiburg, Freiburg - Rapporteur
Mme Sandrine ISNARD - Chargé de recherche, UMR AMAP, IRD, Montpellier - Examinateur
Mme Sara PUIJALON - Chargé de recherche, UMR LEHNA, CNRS, Lyon - Examinateur
M. Pierre-Éric LAURI - Ingénieur de recherche, UMR SYSTEM, INRAe, Montpellier - Examinateur
M. Nicholas ROWE - Directeur de recherche, UMR AMAP, CNRS, Montpellier - Directeur de thèse
M. Patrick HEURET - Chargé de recherche, UMR AMAP, INRAe, Montpellier - Directeur de thèse