Espace DEV is developing research on the spatial dynamics of eco-sociosystems. Its objectives concern the definition of indicators of these dynamics: bio-geophysics, changes in societies, risks related to emerging diseases according to environmental parameters, changes and vulnerability of territories to global changes. To this end, it develops methodologies in spatial remote sensing and multidisciplinary knowledge integration.
The Joint Research Unit (UMR in French) is placed in a perspective of coviability (coviability of social and ecological systems - rethinking humans’ links to the biosphere) of territories at local, regional and global levels and more particularly in tropical environments.
It conducts interdisciplinary research aimed at:
- taking advantage of the new resources offered by the explosion in the number and diversity of Earth observation missions;
- characterizing the spatial footprint of the relationships between society and its environment. Its objective is to extract from these analyses indicators of the functioning of these interconnected systems, with the aim of sharing knowledge with communities in the South.
The UMR believes that access to spatial data in the South can be a key to improving knowledge and decision-making in the face of global change.
Each member of the UMR belongs to a research team. A team leader is in charge of the scientific animation and budget management.
The functional organization of the UMR is based on 3 teams:
OSE (Observation Spatiale de l’Environnement),
AIMS (Integrated Approach to Environments and Societies)
MICADO (Modelling, Knowledge Engineering and Analysis of Spatial Data).
The UMR ESPACE-DEV (228) is supervised by the IRD, the University of French Guiana, the University of Reunion Island, the University of the West Indies and the University of Montpellier. It is a host team for the University of Perpignan Via Domitia and Avignon University.
