Agroecology, Research and Innovation

This document defines agroecology as the study of agricultural and livestock systems as managed ecosystems, emphasizing the integration of ecological principles with human-driven practices. It traces the historical emergence of agroecology, reports a bibliometric analysis of its scientific output, and details INRA’s designation of agroecology as a priority research area in its 2010–2020 strategy. The paper examines spatial scales from soil microbial communities to regional landscapes, discusses high-throughput data and modeling tools, and presents five strategic research themes: biotic interaction networks, landscape agroecology, environmental sustainability assessment, functional ecology of nutrient cycles, and the evolution and transition of agroecological systems. It concludes by positioning INRA as a leading interdisciplinary actor with extensive teams, observatories, and experimental platforms supporting agroecological innovation.