John D. Thompson
CNRS, Centre d’Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, Montepllier, France
JOHN THOMPSON is a research director with the CNRS at the “Centre d’Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive” in Montpellier where he works on the ecology, adaptation and conservation of Mediterranean plant diversity. In 2005 he published the book “Plant Evolution in the Mediterranean” with Oxford University Press (http://www.oup.co.uk/isbn/0-19-851534-0).
His current research is on two main themes that areundertaken in close interaction with protected areas and land management staff and thus cross the science – action interface:
The development of arguments for the integration of knowledge on ecological and evolutionary processes into plant conservation management in relation to an ever-increasing human footprint. The focus here is the need to conserve evolutionary potential and the processes of ecological adaptation. This work involves detailed monitoring studies, spatial assesments of vulnerability, the development of protocols for reintroduction of impacted poulations, fine-scaled studies of the ecologigical niche, and assessments of sites of hybridization and ongoing diversification.
The conceptual basis and application of the notion of ecological solidarity to the production of strategy and action for conservation management of protected areas and their surrounding territory. This notion emphasises the need to conserve the processs that underlie ecological and socio-ecological interdepencies.
John Thompson is currently president of the scientific commission for the “Mercantour National Park” and president of the “National Parks Scientific Commission” with the “French National Biodiversity Agency”. He is also member of the scientific commission of the “Mediterranean Botanical Conservancy” in France and the” Calanques National Park”.
