Transformation rate of natural ecosystems due to human activities has recently accelerated. Habitat fragmentation and biological invasions are major threats on biodiversity, as both are main processes resposible for populations and species declines. Despite a large body of literature focusing on the impact of fragmentation or biological invasions on species abundance and diversity, changes in ecological and evolutionary processes due to these two global changes remain poorly understood. This project aims to assess effects of fragmentation on several attributes of individuals.populations in a set of bird species showing a gradual specialization on forest habitat: (i) genetic diversity, due to demographic changes (smaller and more isolated populations), (ii) phenotypic quality of individuals (i.e. morphological, ornamental, immunological, physiological stress), and (iii) host-parasite interactions. In addition, we will test two recent hypothesis explaining the success of biological invasions (the so-called enemy release hypothesis and the hypothesis of different immune defence strategies in invaders), and investigate some of their consequences for native species. This project will be conducted on four territories: French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Montserrat. If these territories host a high endemic biodiversity, they are faced with real problems of forest loss and fragmentation as well as species introductions or invasions, mainly due to human activities and demographic growth. In addition to contribute to a better knowledge of ecological and evolutionary consequences of habitat fragmentation and biological invasions, the integrated approach of this project will produce valuable results for decision rules in nature and wildlife management frameworks. The participation of scientific partners and partners concretely involved in local conservation plans ensures the integration of research and management.

We spend some 90% of our time inside buildings where we control the quality of the environment for health, thermal comfort, security and productivity. The quality of the indoor environment is affected by many factors, including design of buildings, ventilation, thermal insulation and energy provision and use. Maintaining the quality of the environment in buildings can have considerable consequences on both local and global environment and on human health. In recent years, the air-tightness of buildings has become an issue, as part of a drive to provide thermal comfort and reduce energy consumption. However, as dwellings are made more airtight, internal pollution sources can have a greater impact on the indoor air quality and occupants may experience adverse health effects unless ventilation is effective. On the other hand, ventilation can lead to ingress of outdoor air pollution; it also reduces energy efficiency of buildings, accounting for 25-30% of the total building energy use. Conversely, efforts aimed at the improvement of energy efficiency through better thermal insulation may affect adversely indoor air quality, e.g. through reduced ventilation and increased moisture content. The latter is the main cause of mould, the exposure to which is being increasingly linked to respiratory and other health problems. Further, burning fuels in micro-generation domestic appliances such as gas boilers and cookers can potentially be hazardous to the health of those in the dwelling or further afield. However, switching to other sources of energy such as biomass, photovoltaics, fuel cells etc., while reducing the impact on the indoor environment can, on a life cycle basis, cause environmental and health impacts elsewhere. Nevertheless, several Government reports have highlighted the importance of household micro-generation options as well as energy efficiency, given the imperatives for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and widespread fuel poverty. The latter has been linked to Britain's large burden of cold-/winter-related deaths, which often exceed 30,000 per year. Poor indoor environmental quality in residential buildings, offices and schools has been related to increases in sick building syndrome symptoms, respiratory illnesses, sick leave and losses in productivity. Health effects can be immediate (e.g. irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness and fatigue) or can occur over a longer period of exposure to indoor pollutants (e.g. respiratory diseases, heart disease and cancer). A growing body of scientific evidence indicates that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialised cities. Given that most people spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, their exposure to air pollutants is determined primarily by exposure indoors, particularly in their home. In order to contribute towards achieving a better quality of the indoor environment, this project proposes to study the environmental and health effects related to the generation, conservation and use of energy in buildings, with a particular focus on residential buildings. The main outputs from the project will be an integrated decision-support methodology and software tool for more sustainable management of indoor pollution. The framework will be applied to a number of case studies that will compare environmental, health and economic implications of the principal options for future home energy provision as an aid to policy development. Using a life cycle approach, the project will examine a range of sustainability issues, including environmental impacts (e.g. resource depletion, global warming, acidification, eco-toxicity etc.) and social issues (e.g. human health, comfort and well-being). The economic implications of different options will also be examined.