Forest Ecosystems Research Unit (EFNO)

The EFNO unit aims to contribute significantly to a better understanding of the functioning of lowland forest ecosystems and their ability to adapt to management practices, increasing ungulate populations and climate change, in order to propose management methods that are best suited to local situations.

The EFNO research unit is based on the Barres estate in Nogent-sur-Vernisson (45). It is made up of four teams:

• BIODIVERSITY - Interactions between forest management and specific biodiversity - Preserving forest species in our territories.
• FONA - Interaction Forêt Ongulés Activités humaines - Reconciling wild ungulates and forest ecosystems.
• FORHET - Forêts hétérogènes - Understanding and modelling forest renewal and growth.
• GEEDAAF - Groupe d'études et d'expertise sur la Diversité Adaptative des Arbres Forestiers - Conserving and developing the genetic diversity of trees.

Facilities and main equipment:

• Entomology laboratory, ecology laboratory, greenhouses and nursery, access to a forest estate of almost 150 ha on site.
• OPTMix (Oak Pine Tree Mixture) experimental system for oak-pine mixtures and stand density, located in the Orléans forest.
• Contribution to various In-Sylva research infrastructure projects.