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Dünya’da kestane üretiminde 2.sırada olan ülkemizde, kestane meyvesi farklı şekillerde değerlendirilirken, perikarp (husks) olarak adlandırılan dış kabuğu ne yazık ki atık olarak nitelendirilmektedir. Son yıllarda yapılan çalışmalarda bu atıl kaynağın biyolojik aktiviteye sahip fenolik bileşikler içerdiği tespit edilmiştir. Söz konusu fenolik bileşiklerin bitki materyalinden ayrıştırılması için kullanılan organik çözücülerin çevreye ve insan sağlığına zararlı olduğu ve kullanımlarının 2050 yılında kısıtlanacağı bildirilmiştir. Bu noktadan hareketle çevre dostu, toksit olmayan derin ötektik çözücülerle kestane perikarp’ında bulunan fenolik bileşiklerden gallik asitin eldesi ve veriminin artırması hedeflenmiştir.Çalışma kapsamında Bartın Amasra-Yahyayazıcılar mevkiinden toplanan kestane meyve perikarpları örnekleri kontrol, suda haşlama ve 150-200°C‘de fırında kavurma ile muamele edilmiştir. Daha sonra MeOH: su ve aseton: su (90:10 v/v) çözücüleri ile ekstrakte edilmiştir. Bu 3 farklı örnekler ayrıca, 3 farklı Derin Ötektik Çözücü (DÖÇ) türü (kolin klorür: formik asit, kolin klorür: etilen glikol ve kolin klorür: laktik asit), 3 farklı ekstraksiyon süresi (10,35,60 dak.), 3 farklı ekstraksiyon sıcaklığı (30,50,70°C), 3 farklı sıvı: katı oranı (10,20,30 mL/g), 3 farklı su miktarı (% 10,20,30) gibi farklı parametreler uygulanarak Box – Behnken deney tasarım modellemesi ile optimum koşullar belirlenmiştir. Örnekler HPLC ile analiz edilmiştir. Ayrıca, kestane meyve iç kabuklarında bulunan holoselüloz, α-selüloz ve lignin miktarları da tespit edilmiştir. Tüm örnek grupları incelendiğinde en iyi sonucu MeOH: su verdiği görülmüştür. Örnek grupları içinde de fırınlanmış örneklerde gallik asit miktarı diğer örneklere göre 5 kat daha fazla bulunmuştur. En düşük miktarı veren haşlanmış örneklerde ise gallik asit, ellagik asit gibi hidroliz olabilen tanenlerin suya karışarak uzaklaşmış olabileceği düşünülmüştür. Elde edilen verilere göre holoselüloz miktarı % 45,3; α-selüloz %29,2; klason lignin % 42,5; ekstraktif madde miktarı ise MeOH: su karışımında % 3,2 olarak tespit edilmiştir. MeOH: su ve aseton: su örnekleri GC-MS’de analiz edilerek gallik asit varlığı tespit edilmiştir. Tez kapsamında kütle spektrometresi kullanılmasının amacı gallik asidin varlığının tespit edilmesi olmuştur. Bu analizler sırasında örneklerde görmeyi planladığımız ellagik asit tespit edilememiştir. DÖÇ örneklerinin viskoziteleri ve su içerikleri nedeniyle, analizler bu aşamadan sonra gallik asit odaklı olarak HPLC’ de gerçekleştirilmiştir. Yapılan 243 analiz sonunda, her bir DÖÇ çözeltisi kendi içinde değerlendirildiğinde elde edilen en yüksek gallik asit miktarı ile sokshelet cihazında organik çözücülerle yapılan deney sonuçları karşılaştırıldığında DÖÇ çözeltilerinin, belirgin bir şekilde her üç örnek türünde de gallik asit miktarını artırdığı görülmüştür. Organik çözücülerle sokselet ekstraksiyonunda 6 saat süre ile yapılan ekstraksiyon ve her üç DÖÇ çözeltisi kullanılan ultrason banyosundaki ekstraksiyon sonuçları karşılaştırıldığında DÖÇ çözeltileri özellikle kolin klorür: etilen glikol (1:2) karışımı metanol: su örneğine göre fırınlanmış kabukta gallik asit oranını 3 kat artırdığı görülmüştür. Tez çalışmasında, gallik asit değerini maksimize eden değişkenler belirlenmiş ve model Minitab ile çözülerek optimum gallik asit değeri tahmin edilmiştir. En iyi sonucu veren deney koşulları ekstraksiyon süresi: 35 dakika, ekstraksiyon sıcaklığı: 60°C, su miktarı:18 ml, sıvı: katı oranı: 10 ml DÖÇ ve 1 g örnek, materyal: fırınlanmış ve DÖÇ: kolin klorür: etilen glikol olarak belirlenmiştir. Söz konusu koşullarda gallik asit miktarı 116 ppm (Logaritmik değer: 4,75) olarak tahmin edilmiştir. Arzu edilebilirlik fonksiyonu (d), tahmin edilen ve deneysel değerler arasında mükemmel bir uyum olduğunu gösteren 1 değerine eşit bulunmuştur. Bununla birlikte aynı modeli kullanarak deneylerimizde en iyi sonucu veren şartlar ile tahmin yaptığımızda (Ekstraksiyon süresi: 30 dakika –Ekstraksiyon sıcaklığı: 60°C – Su miktarı: 20 ml – sıvı: katı oranı 1 g örnek 10 ml çözelti –Fırınlanmış örnek- Kolin Klorür: Etilen Glikol DÖÇ çözeltisi) gallik asit değeri 115,07 ve 0,99 ppm arzu edilebilirlik oranı ile hemen hemen gerçek ölçümlerle aynı sonucu vermiştir. In our country, which ranks 2nd in chestnut production in the world, chestnut fruit is evaluated in different ways, but its outer shell, called the pericarp (husks), is unfortunately considered as waste. In recent studies, it has been determined that this inert source contains phenolic compounds with biological activity. It has been reported that organic solvents used for the separation of said phenolic compounds from plant material are harmful to the environment and human health and their use will be restricted in 2050. From this point of view, it is aimed to obtain and increase the yield of gallic acid, one of the phenolic compounds found in the chestnut pericarp, with environmentally friendly, non-toxic deep eutectic solvents. Within the scope of the study, chestnut fruit pericarp samples collected from Bartın Amasra-Yahyayazıcılar locality were treated with control, boiling in water and roasting in an oven at 150-200°C. It was then extracted with MeOH: water and acetone: water (90:10 v/v) solvents. These 3 different samples are also 3 different types of Deep eutecthic solvents (DES) (choline chloride: formic acid, choline chloride: ethylene glycol and choline chloride: lactic acid), 3 different extraction times (10, 35, 60 min.), 3 different extraction temperatures (30 Optimum conditions with Box – Behnken experimental design modeling by applying different parameters such as (30, 50, 70°C), 3 different liquid: solid ratio (10, 20, 30 mL/g), 3 different water amounts (10, 20, 30 %) determined. Samples were analyzed by HPLC. In addition, the amounts of holocellulose, α-cellulose and lignin in the inner shells of chestnut fruit were determined. When all sample groups were examined, it was seen that MeOH: water gave the best result. Within the sample groups, the amount of gallic acid was found to be 5 times higher in the baked samples compared to the other samples. It was thought that hydrolyzable tannins such as gallic acid and ellagic acid in the boiled samples, which gave the lowest amount, may have disappeared by mixing with the water. According to the data obtained, the amount of holocellulose is 45.3 %; α-cellulose 29.2 %; Klason lignin 42.5 %; the amount of extractive substance was determined as 3.2 % in the MeOH: water mixture. The presence of gallic acid was determined by analyzing MeOH: water and acetone: water samples in GC-MS. The purpose of using mass spectrometry within the scope of the thesis was to detect the presence of gallic acid. During these analyses, ellagic acid, which we planned to see in the samples, could not be detected. Because of the viscosity and water content of the DES samples, the analyzes were carried out in HPLC with a gallic acid focus after this stage. At the end of the 243 analyzes performed, when the highest amount of gallic acid obtained when each DES solution was evaluated in itself, and the results of the experiment performed with organic solvents in the Soxhlet device, it was seen that DES solutions significantly increased the amount of gallic acid in all three sample types. When the 6-hour extraction with organic solvents in Soxhlet extraction and the extraction results in the ultrasound bath using all three DES solutions were compared, it was observed that the DES solutions, especially the choline chloride: ethylene glycol (1:2) mixture, increased the gallic acid ratio in the baked crust 3 times compared to the methanol: water sample. In the thesis study, the variables that maximize the gallic acid value were determined and the optimum gallic acid value was estimated by solving the model with Minitab. Experiment conditions that give the best results, extraction time: 35 minutes, extraction temperature: 60°C, amount of water: 18 ml, liquid: solid ratio: 10 ml DES and 1 g sample, material: baked and DES: choline chloride: ethylene glycol determined. Under these conditions, the amount of gallic acid was estimated as 116 ppm (Loarithmic value: 4.75). The desirability function (d) was found to be equal to 1, indicating a perfect agreement between the predicted and experimental values. However, when we make predictions using the same model with the conditions that give the best results in our experiments (Extraction time: 30 minutes – Extraction temperature: 60°C – Amount of water: 20 ml – liquid: solid ratio 1 g sample 10 ml solution – Baked sample – choline chloride: ethylene glycol DES solution) gallic acid value with 115.07 and 0.99 ppm desirability ratio gave almost the same result with actual measurements.

With over 80 species, Milesia Latreille, 1804 is a hoverfly genus (Diptera: Syrphidae) is found in all continents except for Australia and the Antarctica. However, little is known about its life cycle and biology. The three Milesia species for which early stages are known have saproxylic larvae, suggesting that the larvae of all other Milesia species are also saproxylic. The early stages of the three Milesia species occurring in Europe are undescribed. Milesia crabroniformis (Fabricius, 1775), a mimic of the hornet Vespa crabro Linnaeus, 1758, is the largest hoverfly in Europe and is listed as Least Concern in the IUCN European Red List of Hoverflies. We here report the first early stages of Milesia ever found in Europe, describing them and their breeding sites. Larvae of M. crabroniformis were collected in water-filled tree holes of live chestnut trees (Castanea sativa Mill.) in Málaga, Southern Spain in 2020-2021. Various studies based on stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques have proven useful in diagnosing hoverfly early stages by the observation of their fine morphology. Thus, these techniques were also used here to characterize the second (L2) and third (L3) stage larvae of M. crabroniformis, as well as the puparium. A Leica M205 C binocular stereomicroscope and a Jeol JSM-ITH500HR SEM were used. The head skeleton and chaetotaxy of the L3 larva were described and illustrated. Adjustments to the diagnosis of the larvae of Milesia are proposed based on the number of hooks from the primary row of the main group of hooks. The new early stages are compared with those of other Milesia hoverflies, as well as with those of the sister group Spilomyia Meigen, 1803. The knowledge of the larval biology and breeding sites of saproxylic insects is useful for implementing forest management measures and species’ conservation programs. This work belongs to the ‘Fauna Ibérica’ Project (PGC2018-095851-A-C65) of the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. Antonio Ricarte’s position (UATALENTO17-18) at the University of Alicante is funded by the “Vicerrectorado de Investigación y Transferencia del Conocimiento”. Student grant of José Orengo’s was funded by the University of Alicante (UAFPU2019B-57). Javier Quinto’s position were funded by Andalusian Regional Government (PP.PEI.IDF2019.001) and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (PID2020-115140RB-I00). This work is part of a PhD thesis of the first author.

Aquesta publicació es basa en l’experiència i els coneixements adquirits en el marc del projecte LIFE MixForChange, que té com a objectiu augmentar la capacitat adaptativa al canvi climàtic dels boscos mixtos mediterranis subhumits a través del disseny, la implementació i la transferència d’una silvicultura innovadora que mantingui i promogui les funcions ecològiques i socioeconòmiques d’aquests boscos. El projecte s’ha implementat en formacions mixtes dominades per alzina, castanyer, roure i pi, i distribuïdes en quatre àmbits geogràfics de Catalunya —massís del Montnegre i el Corredor, massís del Montseny, serra de Bellmunt-Collsacabra i valls del Ripollès—, en 39 rodals demostratius en un total de 197 ha. La silvicultura aplicada es basa en la reducció de la competència i la promoció dels peus més vitals, l’augment de la complexitat del bosc (tant pel que fa a espècies com a estructura), la conservació de la biodiversitat i la promoció del valor productiu dels boscos en la diversificació de productes. A més, l’aplicació d’aquesta silvicultura integra principis de gestió naturalística i orientada a l’arbre individual, i promou estructures multiestratificades, un alt nivell de detall en les intervencions, un augment de la presència de planifolis esporàdics, com ara cirerer, freixe, auró, servera, etc., i altres espècies que puguin tenir interès per a la producció de fusta de qualitat o bé des del punt de vista de la biodiversitat (peus llavorers d’espècies escasses, peus amb microhàbitats d’interès, etc.)., El projecte MixForChange (LIFE15 CCA/ES/000060) està finançat pel programa LIFE de la Unió Europea

Aquesta publicació s’adreça especialment al personal tècnic i gestor d’espais forestals dins la Xarxa de Parcs Naturals de la Diputació de Barcelona, si bé és d’aplicació en altres espais forestals del nostre context. Es recullen la descripció i conclusions de les experiències realitzades en el marc del projecte LIFE MixForChange (2016-2022), a partir de la col·laboració entre el CTFC i la Diputació de Barcelona. Aquestes experiències es basen en l’aplicació, a l’hivern 2018- 19, d’una silvicultura amb criteris naturalístics i d’adaptació al canvi climàtic en un total de 3 finques públiques. Per caracteritzar l’efecte d’aquesta silvicultura sobre múltiples indicadors silvodasomètrics i d’adaptació al canvi climàtic s’han instal·lat 16 parcel·les de seguiment peu a peu, amb vocació d’esdevenir parcel·les de seguiment permanent. Aquestes parcel·les es mesuren abans i just després de les intervencions, i al cap de 2 períodes vegetatius. A més dels resultats obtinguts en aquestes parcel·les, l’avaluació d’aquesta silvicultura es completa amb les conclusions obtingudes al conjunt de 85 parcel·les permanents d’inventari instal·lades dins el projecte, per tal de mostrar les tendències generals obtingudes en les gairebé 200 ha forestals demostratives del projecte. El projecte LIFE MixForChange (LIFE15 CCA/ES/000060) està finançat pel programa LIFE de la Unió Europea., LIFE MixForChange (LIFE15 CCA/ES/000060)

Esta publicación se basa en la experiencia y conocimientos adquiridos en el marco del proyecto LIFE MixForChange, que tiene como objetivo aumentar la capacidad adaptativa al cambio climático de los bosques mixtos mediterráneos subhúmedos, a través del diseño, implementación y transferencia de una selvicultura innovadora, que mantenga y promueva las funciones ecológicas y socioeconómicas de estos bosques. El proyecto se ha implementado en formaciones mixtas dominadas por encina, castaño, roble y pino, distribuidas en cuatro ámbitos geográficos de Cataluña: macizo del Montnegre i el Corredor, macizo del Montseny, sierra de Bellmunt-Collsacabra y valles del Ripollès, en un total de 39 rodales demostrativos con un total de 197 ha. La selvicultura aplicada se basa en la reducción de la competencia y promoción de los pies más vitales, el aumento de la complejidad del bosque (tanto a nivel de especies como de estructura), la conservación de la biodiversidad y la promoción del valor productivo de los bosques, diversificando productos. Además, la aplicación de esta selvicultura integra principios de gestión naturalística y orientada al árbol individual, promoviendo estructuras multiestratificadas, un alto nivel de detalle en las intervenciones y el aumento de la presencia de frondosas esporádicas, como cerezo, fresno, arce, serbal, etc., y otras especies que puedan tener interés para la producción de madera de calidad o bien desde el punto de vista de la biodiversidad (pies semilleros de especies escasas, pies con microhábitats de interés, etc.)., El proyecto MixForChange (LIFE15 CCA/ES/000060) está financiado por el programa LIFE de la Unión Europea

One of the biggest threats for the chestnut tree in Portugal and in Europe is the ink disease. The disease is caused by two Phytophthora species (Phytophthora cinnamomi and Phytophthora cambivora). These root parasites have biological and epidemiological characteristics that provide them with rapid adaptation to the environmental conditions and have a high capacity for survival. With this work we intend to develop molecular methods for the detection and identification of Phytophthora in chestnut soils, providing greater sensitivity of detection and greater specificity of identification. In this study, two methods were compared for the detection of Phytophthora from soils infected with chestnut ink disease (natural soil from a stand with diseased chestnut trees and potting soil from greenhouses). In the classical method (baiting method), for the detection of Phytophthora, leaf discs of chestnut (Castanea sativa) were used and subsequent identification of isolates. For molecular methods, soil DNA was extracted from the DNeasy® PowerSoil® Pro Kit (Qiagen) and was amplified from the ITS region of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) using the universal primers ITS4 and ITS6. It was possible to obtain 67% of positive detection from natural soils by baiting method and 75% of positive detection from soil of pots from greenhouse. P. cinnamomi was the species identified from the baiting method and the nucleotide identity of the ITS region of the three identified isolates ranged between 98 and 100%. Trap tissue assays are very useful when the aim is to obtain isolates of different Phytophthora species and DNA-PCR assays are valuable and basic requirements for integrated management programs to evaluate the control measures applied to minimize impacts and control the disease. Uma das maiores ameaças para o castanheiro em Portugal e na Europa é a doença da tinta. A doença é causada por duas espécies de Phytophthora (Phytophthora cinnamomi e Phytophthora cambivora). Estes parasitas radiculares têm características biológicas e epidemiológicas que lhes proporcionam uma rápida adaptação às condições ambientais e têm uma elevada capacidade de sobrevivência. Com este trabalho pretendemos desenvolver métodos moleculares para a deteção e identificação de Phytophthora em solos naturais, proporcionando uma maior sensibilidade de deteção e uma maior especificidade de identificação. Neste estudo, foram comparados dois métodos para a deteção de Phytophthora em solos infetados com a doença da tinta do castanheiro (solo natural de um povoamento com castanheiros doentes e solo de vasos de estufas). No método clássico (tecido de armadilha), para a deteção de Phytophthora, foram utilizados discos de folhas de castanheiro (Castanea sativa) e subsequente identificação dos isolados. Para métodos moleculares, o ADN do solo foi extraído do DNeasy® PowerSoil® Pro Kit (Qiagen) e foi amplificado da região ITS do ADN ribossómico (rDNA) utilizando os primers universais ITS4 e ITS6. Foi possível obter 67% de deteção positiva de solos naturais através do método de tecido armadilha e 75% de deteção positiva de solo de vasos de estufa. P. cinnamomi foi a espécie identificada a partir do método de tecido armadilha e a identidade nucleotídica da região ITS dos três isolados identificados variou entre 98 e 100%. Os ensaios de tecido de armadilha são muito úteis quando o objetivo é obter isolados de diferentes espécies de Phytophthora e os ensaios de DNA-PCR são requisitos valiosos e básicos para programas de gestão integrada para avaliar as medidas de controlo aplicadas para minimizar os impactos e controlar a doença.

If we play the game of a dechronologized biographical restitution of my research career, I can summarize it roughly as follows:I have made oases my laboratory in ethnoecology: understanding how societies organize themselves in environments with strong constraints. Do constraints force one way of building one’s world? Aiming at a comparative approach, I conducted a multisite field research with observations and analyses in various oases of the Sahara and Arabia. It appears that various registers of oasis praxis (socioecological registers, which can form resources), different ways of inhabiting and constructing the world, coexist within the different studied oases-laboratories. Moreover, different models of oases and palm groves can coexist within the same type of environment, which is a priori unfavorable to human life with severe ecological constraints (Saharan and Arabian deserts).From the study of the oasis agroecosystems, I derived an oasis model. I extracted then, for heuristic purposes, an element that is far from trivial: the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L. in binomial botanical classification). Besides a more global approach of the system formed by the collectives associating humans and non-humans in oases, I focused on this single date palm, which exists only in the sphere of humans, motivated by the conviction that by joining forces with colleagues in population genetics, I would be able to answer issues that would have remained unsolvable within the boundaries of my discipline. I explored notions of categorization of the living and in so doing bring together worlds with very different rationale (the DNA of biologists and the shape of date palm varieties grown in oasis gardens: the invention of the notion of “ethnovariety” ensued). I could also contribute to a history of the domestication of this plant and eventually to a history of oases.I put the oasis and date palm objects to the test of what I call my insular theory of oases, which takes up notions from landscape ecology (theoretical models of dispersion) and network theories. Ecological and anthropological conceptual tools such as functional connectivity or the “principle of the little but effective” derive from this theoretical reflection.To the ways of inhabiting and constructing the world (inherent approach to ethnoecology), I added the ways of being in the world, of knowing and acting on the world, with an anthropology of sensory perceptions, for proposing an enhanced ethnoecology. The ambition is to study the variety of sensory interactions that humans in society can establish with their environment. Despite a sensory equipment a priori common to all the representatives of the Homo sapiens species, there coexist ways of being in the world of an extraordinary heterogeneity because of culturally situated sensory learning. If the senses are the tools of knowledge of one’s environment and of action on it, the study of sensitivities, balances and sensory combinations privileged by humans in society, the in situ study of their sensory universes (sensorium) as well from a scientific point of view (etic) as in the perspective of its interlocutors (emic) on the ethnographic field should be integrated to ethnoecology.This interest in the sensory stems from a work in urban anthropology, which had Cairo as its urban fieldwork. I demonstrated the construction (in the constructivist meaning) of public spaces, including public gardens, and the evolution over the last decades of the practices that take place there and the qualities that are assigned to them. One sensory modality was prominent: the sonic dimension, without the local natural language being structured to make the experience of it communicable. Part of my research activity was devoted precisely to inventing tools to enable anthropology to grasp this dimension of the urban experience of the inhabitants, who are both sound receivers and producers.The Space Observatory of the CNES (French National Center for Space Studies) offered me the opportunity to invest the graviception as an object of research on the sensory: a limit-object, a quasi-universal unthought so much the variations of the terrestrial gravity are imperceptible to humans. The weightlessness, which until then belonged to the mythical narrative, to the mysticism or to the fiction, has, however, become the marker of this new extraterrestrial space invested by a little part of the humans. This “extraterrestrial” fieldwork is unique in that it takes us far from any reference known to humanity, and offers a definite and subversive disruption with the natural order of the world.A short time ago, I initiated a new model, a new (terrestrial) fieldwork: the Orezza Valley in Castagniccia, a singular region of Corsica. The project is to establish an anthropology of the (almost) close, an ethnoecology that relies on oasis experiences, informed by the sensory, informed by the genetic. The idea is to make on the model of the date palm a population genetics applied to the agrobiodiversity of the chestnut tree (Castanea sativa Mill. in binomial botanical classification), also an engineering species, in this case of the chestnut agroecosystem, a declining one. At the same time, the project draws on historical demography and village genealogies (over two centuries) and cadastral land evolution (over a century).This dissertation may seem unusual: a non-linear dissertation. It takes the form of an intimate and notional dictionary. As a reflexive exercise, this dissertation begins with a very autobiographical “self-definition” and continues with some forty somewhat arbitrary notional entries. Through this analytical approach, I hope to clarify issues, in this case anthropological ones, by examining and clarifying the language used to formulate them, with the ambition of shedding light on the path(s) I am taking and demonstrating the coherence of the whole.; Si l’on se prête au jeu d’une restitution biographique déchronologisée de mon parcours de recherche, je peux le résumer grossièrement comme suit :J’ai fait des oasis mon laboratoire d’ethnoécologie : comprendre comment les sociétés s’organisent dans des environnements à fortes contraintes. Les contraintes obligent-elles à une façon univoque de construire son monde ? Visant une approche comparative, j’ai mené une recherche de terrain multisite avec observations et analyses dans différentes oasis du Sahara et d’Arabie. Il appert que coexistent différents registres de la praxis oasienne (registres socioécologiques, qui peuvent former des ressources), différentes manières d’habiter et de construire le monde, coexistent au sein des différentes oasis-laboratoires étudiées. De plus, différents modèles d’oasis et de palmeraies peuvent coexister au sein d’un même type d’environnement, a priori défavorable à la vie humaine avec de fortes contraintes écologiques (déserts sahariens et arabiques).De l’étude des agroécosystèmes oasiens, j’ai déduit un modèle d’oasis. J’en ai extrait, à des fins heuristiques, un élément loin d’être anodin : le palmier dattier (Phoenix dactylifera L. en classification botanique binomiale). En sus d’une approche globale du système formé par les collectifs associant humains et non-humains dans les oasis, je me suis concentré sur ce seul palmier dattier, qui n’existe que dans la sphère des humains, motivé par la conviction qu’en m’associant à des collègues tenants de la génétique des populations, je pourrai répondre à des questions qui seraient restées insolubles dans les strictes frontières de ma discipline. J’ai exploré les notions de catégorisation du vivant et, ce faisant, rapproché des mondes aux rationalités très différentes (l’ADN des biologistes et la forme des variétés de palmiers dattiers cultivés dans les jardins des oasis : en découle l’invention de la notion d’« éthnovariété »). Je pouvais aussi contribuer à une histoire de la domestication de cette plante et peut-être à une histoire des oasis.J’ai soumis les objets oasis et palmiers dattiers à l’épreuve de ce que j’ai appelé ma théorie insulaire des oasis, qui reprend des notions de l’écologie du paysage (modèles théoriques de dispersion) et les théories des réseaux. De cette réflexion théorique découlent des outils conceptuels écologiques et anthropologiques tels que la connectivité fonctionnelle ou le « principe du peu mais efficace ».Aux manières d’habiter et de construire le monde (approche inhérente à l’ethnoécologie), j’ai ajouté les manières d’être au monde, de connaître et d’agir sur le monde, avec une anthropologie des perceptions sensorielles, dans la perspective de proposer une ethnoécologie augmentée. L’ambition est d’étudier la variété des interactions sensorielles que les humains en société peuvent tisser avec leur environnement. Malgré un équipement sensoriel a priori commun à tous les représentants de l’espèce Homo sapiens, il coexiste des manières d’être au monde d’une extraordinaire hétérogénéité du fait d’apprentissages sensoriels culturellement situés. Si les sens sont les moyens de connaissance de son environnement et d’action sur celui-ci, il convient d’intégrer à l’ethnoécologie l’étude des sensibilités, des balances et des combinaisons sensorielles privilégiées par les humains en société, l’étude en situation de leurs univers sensoriels (sensorium) tant d’un point de vue de la science (etic) que dans la perspective de ses interlocuteurs (emic) sur le terrain ethnographique.Cet intérêt pour le sensoriel est issu d’un travail en anthropologie urbaine, qui avait pour terrain l’urbain arabe du Caire. J’y ai démontré la construction (au sens constructiviste) des espaces publics, y compris les jardins publics, et l’évolution au cours des dernières décennies des pratiques qui y prennent place et des qualités qui leur sont assignées. Une modalité sensorielle se révélait saillante : la dimension sonore, sans que le langage naturel local soit clairement structuré pour en rendre dicible l’expérience. Une part de mon activité de recherche fut consacrée justement à inventer des outils pour permettre à l’anthropologie de se saisir de cette dimension de l’expérience urbaine des habitants, à la fois récepteurs et producteurs sonores.L’Observatoire spatial du CNES m’a offert l’opportunité d’investir la graviception comme objet de recherche sur le sensoriel : un objet-limite, un quasi-impensé universel tant les variations de la gravité terrestre sont imperceptibles pour les humains. L’apesanteur, qui relevait jusqu’alors du récit mythique, de la mystique ou de la fiction, est pourtant devenue le marqueur de ce nouvel espace extraterrestre investi par un peu des humains. Ce travail de terrain « extraterrestre » est unique qu’il nous emmène loin de toute référence connue par l’humanité, et offre une rupture certaine et subversive avec l’ordre naturel du monde.J’ai initié il y a peu de temps un nouveau modèle, un nouveau travail de terrain (terrestre) : la vallée d’Orezza en Castagniccia, une région singulière de la Corse. Le projet est d’établir une anthropologie du (presque) proche, une ethnoécologie qui prend appui sur les expériences oasiennes, informée par le sensoriel, informée par la génétique. L’idée est de faire sur le modèle du palmier dattier une génétique des populations appliquée à l’agrobiodiversité du châtaignier (Castanea sativa Mill. en classification botanique binomiale), également une espèce ingénieure, en l’occurrence de l’agroécosystème du châtaignier, en déprise. Dans le même temps, le projet s’appuie sur une démographie historique et des généalogies villageoises (sur deux siècles) et l’évolution foncière cadastrale (sur un siècle).Ce mémoire peut paraître inhabituel : un mémoire non linéaire. Il prend la forme d’un dictionnaire intime et notionnel. En tant qu’exercice réflexif, ce mémoire débute par une « définition de soi » très autobiographique et se poursuit par une quarantaine d’entrées notionnelles quelque peu arbitraires. Par cette démarche analytique, j’espère éclaircir les problèmes, ici anthropologiques, en examinant et clarifiant le langage dont on se sert pour les formuler, avec l’ambition d’éclairer la ou les voies que j’emprunte et faire la démonstration de la cohérence de l’ensemble.