Bioengineering and ecological engineering: concepts of yesterday and today

Abstract

Bioengineering is an operational domain using vegetation for mitigating various ecological and human problems. As part of ecological engineering, it allows managing problems of erosion, soil instability, soil and water pollution, and land degradation. It is the domain of building, following the instructions of bioengineers who belong to the domain of conception. However these concepts are not clear today. To resolve this, this paper tries to assess on the meaning of business and competences in bioengineering and ecological engineering. First it exposes the definitions of each word, analyzing its history, use and links. Second, it explains for each concept the differences and convergences between engineering and research. Then, it deals with the current situation and the future of bioengineering, by questioning the recognition of the competences and of the structuration of the professionals. It concludes on the exposition of the main problems encountered by the professionals, and on the possible solutions, especially in the research domain.