A center of expertise and scientific mediation on the lake ecosystems: Inform, train, and provide scientific support to all stakeholders

Abstract

Lake ecosystems play essential ecological and socioeconomic roles, yet they are increasingly vulnerable to anthropogenic pressures exacerbated by global change. In France, stakeholders involved in these ecosystems are numerous and diverse (including government agencies, local authorities, managers, operators, users, associations, and researchers, among others. Together they generate a strong demand for new knowledge and for improved sharing of existing information. Moreover, very few stakeholders have received initial education in limnology that would enable them to easily address routine management issues. Finally, there is currently no national French information system that brings together all available data on lake ecosystems across the country. In response to this situation, the establishment of a scientific expertise and mediation center dedicated to lake ecosystems would facilitate knowledge sharing and the coordination of initiatives at the national scale. The missions of this structure would include fostering the stakeholder community, supporting skill development and technical assistance, and centralizing access to knowledge and tools. Following a preparatory phase, its creation is underway, with an official launch planned for late 2026. This initiative aims to address the needs expressed by stakeholders and to provide concrete leverage for more effective action in support of lake ecosystems across France.