ECOPICS is a multidisciplinary project with two interlinked goals:

1) To answer fundamental research questions concerning soil ecosystem processes and links with plant communities in specific climates and land use types

2) To determine how the promotion of specific ecosystem services are beneficial (or not) to local anthropogenic communities and to soil quality. We define soil quality in ECOPICS in terms of carbon sequestration, macroporosity, faunal and microbial abundance / diversity.

To successfully reach these goals, we will examine two contrasting mountain biomes in temperate (France) and tropical (Mexico) climates and examine how a variety of soil, plant, soil microbial and faunal characteristics/processes are linked to the immediate climatic environment. Focusing on specific plant species and communities, data will enable us to test specific hypotheses with regard to soil carbon carbon sequestration and biodiversity. We aim to investigate the effect of a cultural service on both the local socio-economy and soil quality.