Senior scientist IRD (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, France), Ecology of arid lands, natural resources management .

Main activities

“Water budget and water use in natural arid and semi-arid ecosystems”, Madagascar (1971-1973). “Water balance, biomass production and vegetation dynamics of sahelian ecosystems”. Senegal (1974-1980). Leader of the project “Integrated study of desert ecosystem: natural resources management and development”, Mapimi Biosphère Reserve Mexico (1981-1986). “Society & environment in Arid Mediterranean regions” (1996-1998).

Information network “Réseau Zones Arides” (RZA 1986-1995), Member of the Scientific Committee of “Observatoire du Sahara et du Sahel” (1995 -2005), President of French Scientific Committee on Desertification (CSFD 1997-2003), Member of the Scientific and Technical Committee of “Fonds Français pour l’Environnement Mondial” (FFEM) (1998-2003), Member of Desert-Net International.