General presentation of the ZAL

The Loire Atelier Zone (ZAL) aims to study the spatial and temporal dynamics of socio-ecological systems (SES) as represented in the structuring scheme common to the AZs.

It is currently composed of 14 research teams spread across the basin and 105 members, of whom about twenty are Doctoral students 

Its purpose is the observation of the Loire hydrosystemdis Human societies on its catchment and the Co-evolution of hydrosystems and societiesThese observations are set in the past on the long-termand fuel research on the present and the future. Research conducted within the framework of the ZAL are interdisciplinary and combine the Earth Sciences, Life Sciencesthe Environmental Sciences and the Human and Social SciencesThey mainly concern interactions Companies–Environment in direct or indirect connection with the riveror its tributaries.

All of these works are being carried out both in Long time (archaeological research, palaeoecology, geomorphology...) and for The current period (ecology, geography, land-use planning…), which is a unique feature of the Workshop Zones Network and sets it apart from research carried out in most catchment areas, whether in France or abroad. Another distinctive feature of the ZAL is that its catchment area or reference territory covers the entirety of a large catchment area (117,500 km², approximately 20% of mainland France) in order to incorporate the entire hydrosystem.

The scientific management is provided by a steering committee composed of representatives from member research units and led by two co-directors, Mathieu BONNEFOND (CNAM) and Nicolas LEGAY (INSA Centre Val de Loire)

The ZAL is a member of the network of Zones Ateliers, networks eLTER and iLTER.The Loire Atelier Zone (ZAL) aims to study the spatial and temporal dynamics of socio-ecological systems (SES) as represented in the structuring scheme common to the AZs.

It is currently composed of 14 research teams spread across the basin and 105 members, of whom about twenty are Doctoral students 

Its purpose is the observation of the Loire hydrosystemdis Human societies on its catchment and the Co-evolution of hydrosystems and societiesThese observations are set in the past on the long-termand fuel research on the present and the future. Research conducted within the framework of the ZAL are interdisciplinary and combine the Earth Sciences, Life Sciencesthe Environmental Sciences and the Human and Social SciencesThey mainly concern interactions Companies–Environment in direct or indirect connection with the riveror its tributaries.

All of these works are being carried out both in Long time (archaeological research, palaeoecology, geomorphology...) and for The current period (ecology, geography, land-use planning…), which is a unique feature of the Workshop Zones Network and sets it apart from research carried out in most catchment areas, whether in France or abroad. Another distinctive feature of the ZAL is that its catchment area or reference territory covers the entirety of a large catchment area (117,500 km², approximately 20% of mainland France) in order to incorporate the entire hydrosystem.

The research work is grouped around two thematic axes, powered by flagship projects.

The scientific management is provided by a steering committee composed of representatives from member research units and headed by three co-directors, belonging to different disciplines:
 Sylvie SERVAIN, INSA-Centre Val de Loire
 Mathieu BONNEFOND, CNAM
 Jean SECONDI, University of Angers

From 1st January 2020, the ZAL is part of a new project co-hosted by Mathieu BONNEFOND (CNAM) and Nicolas LEGAY (INSA Centre Val de Loire)

Membership is via their research unit (see rules of operation).

The ZAL is a member of the network of Zones Ateliers, networks eLTER and iLTER.[:]