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Presentation of the journal BIOM - Scientific journal for biodiversity in the Massif central
The Massif central represents the largest mountain area in France with almost 1/5 of the national territory. Heritage of a turbulent geological history, with a wide range of reliefs and substrates, located at the limit of temperate and Mediterranean climates, strongly anthropized rural territory and place of varied agrosylvopastoral practices, it is characterized by a great diversity of biogeographical configurations, types of vegetation, natural and semi-natural habitats and a great biological richness. Biodiversity, in the often intensified and artificialized context of neighboring plains, thus represents in the Massif central a major subject of study. But it is also a difficult subject, beyond the inherent complexity of natural systems, due to the size of the concerned territory and this great diversity. The Massif central is not a "terra incognita" but great gaps exist thematically and geographically, updates are necessary in the light of the evolution of science and technology and many discoveries await the prospector. It is essential today to give new impetus to ecological and naturalistic research in the Massif central because of the importance of the subject, the difficulties associated with it, and the need to bring elements of practical knowledge to preservation and management purposes. Thus the BIOM journal aims to both stimulate and support publications.
The weak identity of the whole in relation to the parts that compose it, is another feature of the Massif central, formed by numerous and contrasting regions, each with a strong character. This general phenomenon also affects the naturalistic scientific field, in the form of a great dispersion of productions, local monographs and regional journals, without great relationships between them. The idea of a journal on the scale of the Massif, on the subject of biodiversity and its preservation, is therefore innovative and must constitute, beyond a tool for the dissemination of scientific knowledge, a place of exchange and a network for their development.
The creation of the BIOM journal is also based on various, more general observations, not only affecting the Massif central.
Observation of lack of knowledge: biodiversity is still poorly understood, both geographically, thematically and in terms of its functionality. Likewise, in a general context of biodiversity loss, it is important to know, monitor and evaluate how this phenomenon occurs in different regions and different systems. Finally, its preservation, through conservation or management actions, requires a deepening of knowledge of the biological, ecological and anthropogenic components that govern species and their habitats.
Statement of decoupling between scientific research and naturalist studies and lack of scientific validation for the latter, in a global context of high institutional environmental demand and production of unequal qualities. This phenomenon is attributable to the decline in natural sciences and the training of young people in academic courses.
Statement of current predominance of an anthropocentric logic which favors the development of interventionist approaches, economic purposes and services rendered to humans, in the issues of biodiversity conservation.
The BIOM journal thus makes it possible to contribute to the preservation of the biodiversity of the Massif central by sharing, centralizing, validating and disseminating knowledge, with a view to enhancing it, allowing its synthesis, its rational use and optimizing its application.
