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Bordeaux’s mayor, Pierre Hurmic, activated the city’s emergency response plan Wednesday as the Garonne River continues to rise, threatening flooding in two districts. The activation marks the first time the plan has been implemented due to flood concerns since record-breaking storms in December 1999.

The rising waters are attributed to a combination of continued rainfall and high tides, with the confluence of the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, at the entrance to the Gironde estuary, placed under red alert for flooding by Vigicrues, France’s flood forecasting service. Vigicrues indicates that the river level could potentially surpass the 7.05-meter peak reached during the 1999 storms, caused by Lothar, and Martin.

As a precautionary measure, markets and events along the riverbank have been canceled. Nurseries and recreation centers in vulnerable areas have been closed, along with municipal parks and gardens. The city, France’s ninth largest with a population of 265,000, is bracing for potentially significant disruption.

Mayor Hurmic, a member of Europe Ecology – The Greens (EELV), has opened a shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness who regularly reside along the Garonne’s banks. Two gymnasiums have as well been prepared to accommodate residents potentially affected by the flooding. Hurmic described the situation as an “exceptional climatic phenomenon, undoubtedly due to climate change,” according to reports.

Pierre Hurmic has served as Mayor of Bordeaux since 2020, having been continuously elected to the municipal council since 1995, according to available information. He defeated incumbent Nicolas Florian in the 2020 mayoral election.

Vigicrues continues to monitor the situation, and further updates are expected as the tide reaches its peak Thursday morning.

Shanghai – A novel global study led by researchers at the East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST) demonstrates a significant link between plant diversity and increased agricultural yields. The research, analyzing data from over 600 experiments worldwide, suggests that moving away from monoculture farming practices towards more diverse plantings can boost productivity and enhance the resilience of ecosystems.

The findings, published recently in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution, offer a scientifically grounded approach to ecological agriculture, forestry and grassland management. Researchers analyzed more than 5,700 datasets spanning farmland, grassland, and forest ecosystems across both tropical and temperate regions, revealing consistent benefits from biodiversity. This research arrives at a critical juncture as global food security faces increasing pressure from climate change and evolving pest dynamics.

The study’s core finding centers on the natural mechanisms plants employ when grown in diverse communities. Rather than competing solely for resources, multiple plant species perform together to resist pests and diseases. According to the research, this is achieved through a variety of synergistic effects, including the creation of what researchers term a “scent maze.” This complex mixture of odors released by different plants disrupts the ability of specialized pests to locate their host plants effectively. The varied structure of vegetation created by diverse plantings helps regulate local microclimates, inhibiting the spread of disease spores and pest migration.

“Such effects work together to develop diversified plantings in farms, grasslands, and forests more biologically resilient and productive ecosystems,” explained Wan Nianfeng, a lead researcher on the team and a professor at East China University of Science and Technology. The team’s work extends beyond simply identifying the benefits of plant diversity; they have also developed differentiated technical solutions tailored to specific climate zones and crop types within China.

Boosting Food Security Through Ecological Practices

The implications of this research are particularly relevant for China, where ensuring food security is a national priority. Wan Nianfeng stated that promoting these planting techniques, customized to local conditions, could significantly reduce reliance on pesticides and enhance overall land productivity. This, in turn, would contribute to the country’s broader goals of achieving a “green agricultural transformation.”

The collaborative effort behind this study involved 18 institutions across nine countries, highlighting the global recognition of the importance of biodiversity in agricultural systems. The East China University of Science and Technology has been at the forefront of this research, building on its long-standing commitment to scientific innovation in ecological agriculture.

The research team’s findings align with a growing body of evidence supporting the benefits of agroecological approaches to farming. These methods emphasize working with natural ecological processes, rather than against them, to create more sustainable and resilient food systems. The study’s focus on both farmland, grassland, and forest ecosystems demonstrates the broad applicability of these principles.

Implications for Global Agriculture

While the team has initially focused on developing solutions for China, the principles outlined in the study are applicable globally. The “scent maze” effect and the microclimate regulation benefits observed in the experiments are not geographically limited. The challenge now lies in adapting these findings to the specific conditions of different agricultural regions and farming systems.

The study’s emphasis on reducing pesticide reliance is particularly noteworthy, given the growing concerns about the environmental and health impacts of these chemicals. By harnessing the natural pest and disease resistance mechanisms of diverse plant communities, farmers can potentially reduce their dependence on synthetic inputs, leading to more sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices.

The East China University of Science and Technology also has a history of international collaboration, as evidenced by a student exchange program with institutions in Singapore launched in 2025. This commitment to global partnerships underscores the university’s dedication to addressing complex challenges through international cooperation.

Looking ahead, further research will be needed to refine these techniques and assess their long-term impacts on ecosystem health and agricultural productivity. The team plans to continue monitoring the effects of diverse plantings in different regions and to develop new strategies for promoting biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. The success of this approach will depend on collaboration between researchers, farmers, and policymakers to create a more sustainable and resilient food system for the future.

What are your thoughts on the potential of plant diversity to improve agricultural practices? Share your comments below and let’s continue the conversation.