Vanilla is an emblematic patrimonial and endemic resource for tropical EU regions and combines a high socio-economic value with a natural image due to its traditional and sustainable mode of production and process. Tropical EU regions offer a unique opportunity to study the genus in its global biodiversity. The stake of vanilla sustainability relies on three capacities: Our capacity to protect the wild vanilla species through their conservation and study, our capacity to exploit our knowledge of this biodiversity to diversify the quality of the vanilla product, and our capacity to improve cultivated vanilla (aroma, disease resistance, agronomy). The five regions involved (Reunion, French Polynesia, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Mayotte) will share Vanilla genetic resources and biodiversity management and development skills as well as scientific expertise (together with IBP/Paris) to develop these capacities to reach two objectives: The main research objectives of the project are first to improve our scientific knowledge to implement actions in the preservation of vanilla wild genetic resources in tropical UE (both ex situ and in situ) and subsequently, to identify what services wild species can offer for the improvement of cultivated species and the sustainability of vanilla crop production. We will inventory and characterise (genetic, phenotypic and mechanisms of evolution and diversification) the wide range of Vanilla genetic resources both cultivated and natural in tropical EU to protect and value endemic species and resources. We will also assess important agronomical traits in these species (aroma, resistance to viruses and fusarioses), and how these traits can be combined through hybrid breeding (V. xtahitensis x V. pompona). Innovative candidate gene markers from a collaborative international metagenomic project will be used to implement genome enabled improvement strategies for vanilla. The direct participation of biodiversity management and sustainable development stakeholder partners will allow implementing the results with regards to these two aspects, for each region involved. VaBiome is a highly structuring project which will contribute to build the future and long term international conservation of the genus diversity as well as the aromatic exploitation of this beloved product.

Recent climate change has deeply affected the unique and vulnerable polar and high mountain ecosystems. However, due to limited knowledge, high uncertainty remains regarding similar effects on tropical biotas. In the present project, we propose to study and promote tropical bryophytes and ferns as bioindicators of climate change. These highly diverse plants, widely acknowledged as crucial ecosystem components, remain among the least known groups. This project sets up the first comparative analysis of tropical biodiversity along altitudinal gradients in multiple islands. It assembles an international and multidisciplinary network across the islands of La Réunion (Mascarenes), Guadeloupe (Antilles), Pico (Azores), La Palma (Canaries) and Tahiti (French Polynesia). Partners with expertise in the field of biodiversity research and conservation include universities, research centres and national parks. The intended project specifically aims to: (1) Characterise bryophyte and fern diversity along altitudinal gradients from lowland to summit and from the genetic to the community level, (2) Relate species diversity and distribution patterns to relevant life-history and functional traits, (3) Compare relationships between diversity and predictors across the islands, (4) Model species response to climate change in terms of range shifts, (5) Establish permanent plots for long-term vegetation monitoring. Scientific networking will include intensive sampling and environment monitoring across the islands. Novel modelling approaches will help infer the relationships between species performance and local conditions. The derived results will bring new evidence regarding species and community responses to climate change. Overall, the results will be highly relevant for conservation managers and decision-makers. The original participation of local stakeholders (National Parks of Guadeloupe and Réunion) to a common research project will insure results transfer to conservation managers. The deliverables include joint publications, as well as training the next generation of field taxonomists and developing tools for conservation managers to promote sustainable biodiversity management.