@article{fdi:010066649,
  title = {{I}les {E}parses ({SW} {I}ndian {O}cean) as reference ecosystems for environmental research},
  author = {{Q}u{\'e}tel, {C}. and {M}arinesque, {S}. and {R}ingler, {D}. and {F}illinger, {L}. and {C}hangeux, {T}homas and {M}arteau, {C}. and {T}roussellier, {M}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{TAAF} ensures since 2007 the management of 5 small tropical islands lying in the southwestern {I}ndian {O}cean: the {I}les {E}parses. {T}hese islands share an exceptional natural heritage including many marine and terrestrial endemic species. {A}t a regional scale the {I}les {E}parses are some of the most pristine ecosystems, largely preserved from anthropogenic impacts due to their geographical isolation and a historically very limited human occupation. {I}n this context, {TAAF} wished that {I}les {E}parses become unique natural laboratories for earth scientists and environmental process observation like climate change impacts - but also sustainable biodiversity sanctuaries for which the scientific community should provide baseline ecological data to inform on appropriate conservation tools. {A}n inter-agency research consortium emerged in 2009 to meet this commitment for the {I}les {E}parses. {T}his program was intended to set a science framework in accordance with {F}rance' objectives for {R}esearch and {C}onservation. {I}t enabled between 2009 and 2014 the implementation of 18 cross-disciplinary research projects ranging from geology to ecology and represented by the variety of the proposed articles in this special issue. {A}ltogether research projects have dramatically increased knowledge on the {I}les {E}parses' ecosystems and have provided the first overview of their diversity, their functions and their dynamics and its determinants. {I}n particular applied research efforts have supplied a significant amount of ecological evidence that is now available to develop optimal conservation strategy to ensure the {I}les {E}parses' long-term biodiversity value. {T}hese findings point out that the continuation of research activity in the {I}les {E}parses should be considered a priority.},
  keywords = {{I}les {E}parses ; {I}ndian ocean ; {E}nvironmental research ; {P}ristine ecosystems ; {B}iodiversity sanctuaries ; {C}limate change ; {OCEAN} {INDIEN} ; {EPARSES} {ILES} ; {MOZAMBIQUE} {CANAL}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{A}cta {O}ecologica},
  volume = {72},
  numero = {{N}o sp{\'e}cial},
  pages = {1--8},
  ISSN = {1146-609{X}},
  year = {2016},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.actao.2015.12.012},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010066649},
}