Discovery and science

The journal of the Plant Biology Laboratory of the University of Grenoble and the CNRS was created by Professor Paul Ozenda, who developed the mapping of alpine vegetation. Funded by these two institutions, 1,000 copies were printed and exchanged with numerous French and foreign laboratories. The work of the Lautaret Garden and the National Documentation Coordination Unit for Mathematics (Mathdoc), two joint University of Grenoble/CNRS service units, makes this journal available to all, thanks to the support of the University's Vice-President for Research, who subsidized the digitization of the journal as part of its scientific heritage.

An exceptional scientific heritage
The journal brings together more than 100 vegetation maps of the Alps (French, Italian, Austrian) and other mountains (Massif Central, Nepal, etc.). It has since expanded to include ecological studies that go beyond simple vegetation. These maps were produced at different scales, particularly at 1:50,000. Often printed in large format (up to 1 x 1 m), they have been digitized in high definition. Approximately 4,000 pages of articles associated with the maps or independent of them are also available. This work brings together the contributions of dozens of researchers and students over more than thirty years.

A tool for today's research
These maps are an important tool for land managers and researchers studying the effects of climate change and land use today. The Alpine Ecology Laboratory (LECA - CNRS/University of Grenoble/University of Savoie), which has its roots in part in the Plant Biology Laboratory, is now at the forefront of research in these areas.