Odile Joye
Master in biogeosciences
odile.joye@unine.ch
Interests and research areas
My childhood in the countryside sparked my interest in fauna, flora, and biodiversity at a very early age. In addition, the many landscapes that make up Switzerland, which I explore through my outdoor sports activities, have not only encouraged me to better understand these ecosystems, but also to invest in their preservation. My research work is part of the exploration of the adaptation and evolution mechanisms of species at altitude in response to climate change. I am particularly interested in the interaction between these changes and the dynamics of local species, in order to better understand the importance they represent for biodiversity. In parallel with my research, I attach great importance to awareness raising and knowledge sharing. By raising awareness among younger generations about the protection of ecosystems or by supporting adults in a better understanding of ecological issues, I am convinced that sharing this knowledge is fundamental for the preservation of natural landscapes. My path aims to establish a link between my rural roots and my scientific commitments, in the hope of contributing to the sustainable management of natural environments. In the future, I would like to work in the environmental research or consulting sector, where I could contribute to projects and raise public awareness through teaching.
Current project – Study of earthworm communities along an altitude gradient in Switzerland
Climate change has many impacts on terrestrial ecosystems, particularly through changes in temperature and precipitation, creating extreme climatic episodes (drought, storms, floods, etc.). Although the impact of climate change on insects is well documented, the influences on earthworms still require further study. However, these environmental engineers are essential for underground organisms and vegetation. They are therefore suitable indicators for analyzing future climatic effects on these ecosystems. Biodiversity is essential for strengthening resilience, the ability to return to normal functioning after a disturbance. By assessing earthworm diversity (the variety of different species present in a given area), we can then anticipate the evolution of alpine ecosystems in the face of future extreme environmental changes.
The objective of this project is to deepen knowledge about the interactions between earthworms and their environment and determine the impacts of climate change on earthworm communities in alpine regions, taking into account the conditions essential to their survival such as vegetation, soil and climate. To do this, an altitude gradient in the pre-Alps, in Lavey-Morcles was chosen to illustrate changes in temperature and precipitation. The objective of the project is to understand the evolution and distribution of earthworm communities along this gradient according to climatic characteristics, in particular by determining the diversity and abundance of earthworm communities, which is still little known in mountain ecosystems. This work is also an extension of Mrs. Sarah Semeraro’s thesis, aiming to further enrich the existing data along this transect and to broaden the scope of the study.
Main themes
- Alpine ecosystem
- Climate change
- Soil biodiversity
Experience
Faunistic excursion, Bachelor of Biology, University of Neuchâtel
“Science and pedagogy” course, Bachelor of Biology, University of Neuchâtel
APP problem-based learning, Bachelor of Biology, University of Neuchâtel
Soil and vegetation excursions, Master of Biogeosciences, University of Neuchâtel
Mapping excursion in Burgundy, Master of Biogeosciences, University of Neuchâtel
