Virgile uses SimOïko as part of SPACEMOD, an ambitious research project funded by ADEME (IMPACTS 2023 program) and coordinated by the University of Burgundy Franche-Comté.
This project (2024–2028) aims to develop a spatially explicit tool for modeling the transfer and impact of chemical mixtures in food webs for the purpose of ecosystem risk assessment (ERA) and the remediation of polluted sites and soils (SSP) and, more generally, any type of site contaminated by chemicals.
For the first component of the project—the simulation of population dynamics—Virgile chose SimOïko, with the aim of modeling:
- small mammals (field mice, voles, shrews)
- their predators (foxes, mustelids, birds of prey)
- over a 40 km² perimeter around an industrial site
- In total, six species and one scenario per species will be simulated.
Expected impact
Ultimately, SPACEMOD aims to become a benchmark tool for assessing the risks associated with polluted sites. It is intended for use by engineering firms, polluted site managers, local authorities, and environmental agencies. In the longer term, SPACEMOD could contribute to the development of the national methodology for Contaminated Sites and Soils promoted by ADEME.
The results will be promoted through international scientific publications, specialized conferences (ecotoxicology, polluted sites and soils, etc.) and popular science articles.
Congratulations to Virgile on this major project, which perfectly illustrates the use of SimOïko for concrete scientific applications in the service of ecological transition.
Photo: Tilt Shift factory; Grégory Tonon; CC BY-SA 2.0