cnrs laboratoire decologie alpine leca

What cnrs laboratoire decologie alpine leca does

LECA (Laboratoire d'Ecologie Alpine) is a French public research laboratory designated as a Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR 5553) jointly operated by CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA), and Université Savoie Mont-Blanc (USMB), and a member of the Observatoire des Sciences de l'Univers de Grenoble (OSUG) federation. Its research mission is to understand the mechanisms driving biodiversity origin and dynamics, decode biodiversity's role in socio-ecosystem functioning, and predict biodiversity responses to anthropogenic pressures (climate change, land-use change, pollution, biological invasions), with a particular focus on alpine environments. It serves the international scientific research community, French environmental policy and management bodies (national parks, OFB, ONF, CBNA), and undergraduate/graduate students at UGA and USMB.

The laboratory operates two scientific teams — BIOM (biodiversity distribution and dynamics) and MEEBIO (macroevolution, evolutionary ecology, biodiversity dynamics) — supported by eight technical platforms (AEEM, AnaBM, Ecologie Chimique, EET, EXAM, Insectarium, MEMOBIO, MOCA) plus the nationally hosted eDNA metabarcoding platform under AnaEE France. It produces and maintains a portfolio of widely used open-source bioinformatics and modelling tools (OBITools, biomod2, ecoPrimers/ecoPCR, sumaclust/sumatra) and has trained over 80 doctoral researchers since 1987. Core methods combine short- and long-term field observation, controlled experimentation, and mechanistic/statistical modelling across scales from genes to ecosystems and landscapes.

LECA does not commercialise products or services. Its business model is institutional public funding: core allocations from CNRS, UGA, and USMB cover salaries and operating costs, supplemented by competitive grants from the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (DivAlps 2021-2025, MACDONALD 2023-2026, LandMine 2025-2029, EquitES 2023-2025, plus completed projects), Biodiversa, and other agencies. Outputs are disseminated free of charge through the HAL open-access archive, open-source software releases, and graduate-level teaching (Master BEE at UGA; Master SEAM at USMB), with science-policy translation delivered through partnerships with the three French Alpine national parks, OFB, ONF, CBNA, the VIVALP Living Lab, and the Zone Atelier Alpes observatory.

Name

cnrs laboratoire decologie alpine leca

Legal name

Laboratoire d'Écologie Alpine

Website

https://leca.osug.fr

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Public French alpine ecology research laboratory (UMR 5553) under CNRS, UGA, and USMB, studying biodiversity dynamics, ecosystem functioning, and climate impacts across Alpine and polar environments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Academic Research Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Biodiversity Baseline Studies & Long-Term Monitoring Programs (EUAHAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental DNA (eDNA) & Advanced Biodiversity Methods (Bioacoustics, Camera Traps) (EUAHAHAM), Bioinformatics & Multi-omics Analysis Software (HLAGAJAD), Bioinformatics, Multi-Omics Data Analysis & Interpretation Services (HLAGANAI)

Keywords

• Alpine ecology research
• Biodiversity science
• Ecosystem services research
• Environmental DNA metabarcoding
• Species distribution modelling

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Martin d'Hères (Grenoble)

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. Public Research Funding: LECA is a Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR 5553) funded by CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA), and Université Savoie Mont-Blanc (USMB). Core institutional funding covers salaries and operating costs. Additional funding is secured through competitive national and international research grants.
2. ANR and Competitive Research Grants: The lab receives substantial funding from the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR) for specific research projects including DivAlps (2021-2025), MACDONALD (2023-2026), and LandMine (2025-2029), as well as other project funding (EquitES 2023-2025, ORCHAMP, Alpages Volants 2016-2026).

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

LECA is a public joint research unit (UMR 5553) operated by CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, and Université Savoie Mont-Blanc. It conducts fundamental and applied research on alpine biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and socio-ecosystem dynamics, supported by eight technical platforms (AEEM, AnaBM, Ecologie Chimique, EET, EXAM, Insectarium, MEMOBIO, MOCA) and the national eDNA metabarcoding platform (AnaEE-France). The lab also delivers open-source bioinformatics software (OBITools, biomod2) and contributes to graduate-level higher education through Master's programmes at UGA and USMB.

Product overview

LECA (Laboratoire d'Écologie Alpine) is a Joint Research Unit (UMR 5553) affiliated with CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, and Université Savoie Mont-Blanc. The laboratory operates as a research infrastructure combining eight technical platforms (AEEM, AnaBM, Écologie Chimique, EET, EXAM, Insectarium, MEMOBIO, MOCA) and the eDNA platform through AnaEE-France for biodiversity analysis. Research activities span two main teams (BIOM for biodiversity monitoring and MEEBIO for macroevolutionary ecology) supported by specialized software tools including OBITools for DNA metabarcoding and biomod2 for species distribution modeling. The laboratory also contributes to higher education through Master's programs in Biodiversity, Ecology, Evolution (UGA) and Applied Mountain Environment Sciences (USMB).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• eDNA (AnaEE-France) Platform

Quantifiable outcome

• Sandra Lavorel received the CNRS Gold Medal in 2023, the highest recognition awarded by CNRS
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)coreOthersLECA is a Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR 5553) jointly operated by CNRS, UGA, and USMB. CNRS provides institutional funding, researcher positions, and national research infrastructure support.
• Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA)coreOthersUGA is a co-tutelle partner of UMR 5553, providing institutional support, researcher positions, teaching missions, and access to university facilities at the Grenoble campus.
• Université Savoie Mont-Blanc (USMB)coreOthersUSMB is a co-tutelle partner of UMR 5553, providing institutional support, researcher positions, teaching missions, and hosting the lab's Chambéry campus site.
• OSUG (Observatoire des Sciences de l'Univers de Grenoble)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSUG is the federation under which LECA operates. OSUG coordinates research across multiple Earth and environmental science laboratories in Grenoble and provides shared infrastructure, communications, and outreach platforms.
• FREE-Alpes (Fédération Recherche en Ecologie et Environnement-Alpes)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLECA is a member of the FREE-Alpes federation, a research federation dedicated to ecology and environmental research in the Alpine region.
• BEeSy (Biodiversity, Ecosystems and Evolution - Systematic platform)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLECA is a member of the BEeSy federation, which coordinates research on biodiversity, ecosystems, and systematic biology.
• DIPEE Grenoble-Chambéry (Dispositif de Partenariat en Ecologie Environnement du CNRS-INEE)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLECA is a partner of the DIPEE, a CNRS-INEE partnership device in ecological environment research connecting research and territorial stakeholders.
• IGE (Institut des Géosciences de l'Environnement)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner laboratory within the OSUG federation. Joint projects include the PORTAL study on nature-based solutions for Alpine drought adaptation (published in AMBIO, 2025). Shared computing services and IT infrastructure support.
• Jardin du Lautaret (Station alpine Joseph Fourier)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlpine botanical garden operated as a joint CNRS/UGA facility. LECA researchers conduct long-term ecological observation and experiments at this site, studying plant biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in alpine environments.
• ISTerre (Institut des Sciences de la Terre)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSUG member laboratory studying Earth sciences. Collaborative research projects span environmental and geoscience domains.
• EDYTEM (Environnement, Dynamique et Territoires des Montagnes)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSUG member laboratory specialising in mountain environments, dynamics, and territories. Joint research on Alpine socio-ecosystems and landscape ecology.
• CARRTEL (Centre Alpin de Recherche sur les Réseaux Trophiques et Ecosystèmes Lacustres)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMutualised molecular biology platform AnaBM is shared between CARRTEL, LECA, LIBM, and EDYTEM. Joint research on aquatic ecology and limnology.
• LESSEM (Laboratoire d'Ecologie alpine - Sols et Ecosystèmes de Montagne)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerINRAE research unit on alpine ecology and mountain ecosystems. Joint leadership of VIVALP Living Lab for nature-based solutions in Alpine territories.
• GRICAD (Grenoble Alps Data and Computing Infrastructure)supportingTechnology or IntegrationShared computing and data infrastructure providing high-performance computing resources for LECA's bioinformatics and modelling needs.
• AnaEE-France (Analyse et Expérimentation sur les Ecosystèmes - France)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLECA hosts the national eDNA platform under AnaEE-France initiative, providing large-scale environmental DNA analysis services for characterising biodiversity. This is a major national research infrastructure.
• Zone Atelier Alpes (ZAA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZAA is a CNRS long-term socio-ecological research observatory in the French Alps. LECA researchers participate in ZAA activities and the VIVALP Living Lab is hosted under this framework.
• Parc National des EcrinsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational park in the French Alps. LECA conducts research on biodiversity and ecosystem management in protected mountain areas, including studies on alpine plant species and ecological dynamics.
• Parc National du MercantourmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational park in the French Alps. Collaborations on biodiversity monitoring, conservation research, and environmental management in high mountain ecosystems.
• Parc National de la VanoisemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOldest French national park. Research partnerships on Alpine biodiversity, ungulate ecology, and ecosystem monitoring in the Vanoise range.
• OFB (Office Français de la Biodiversité)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench Biodiversity Agency. LECA collaborates with OFB on ecological expertise, species monitoring, and environmental impact assessments, including the joint field expertise on Androsace du Dauphiné at La Grave.
• CBNA (Conservatoire Botanique National Alpin)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Alpine Botanical Conservatory. Collaborations on plant biodiversity conservation, Alpine flora monitoring, and habitat management.
• ONF (Office National des Forêts)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench National Forests Office. Research collaborations on forest ecology, tree species adaptation, and forest ecosystem management in mountain regions.
• CREA Mont-Blanc (Centre de Recherche sur les Ecosystèmes d'Altitude Mont-Blanc)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional research centre on high-altitude ecosystems in the Mont Blanc area. Collaborations on Alpine environmental monitoring and climate impact research.
• PACTPE (Laboratoire PACTE - Politiques publiques, Action politique, Tranchs)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial sciences laboratory at Grenoble. Interdisciplinary collaborations bridging ecological research with policy and human geography for mountain territory management.
• Institut Polaire Français Paul-Émile Victor (IPEV)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench Polar Institute. Supports Glenn Yannic's Arctic research expeditions to Greenland, providing logistical and financial backing for long-term ecological monitoring in polar regions.
• IPAG (Institut de Planétologie et d'Astrophysique de Grenoble)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSUG member laboratory. Astronomy and planetary science institute, part of the OSUG federation network.
• LEGI (Laboratoire des Écoulements Géophysiques et Industriels)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSUG member laboratory studying geophysical and industrial flows. Member of the OSUG federation.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Stockholm Resilience Centre: Leading international research centre on resilience, sustainability science, and biodiversity-ecosystem function research. Comparable in producing high-impact theoretical and applied research on biodiversity and socio-ecological systems, including methodological leadership.
• INRAE (Institut national de recherche pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement): Major French public research institute covering agriculture, food, and environment; sister institution to CNRS with overlapping research in ecology, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. Already a partner (LESSEM, CARRTEL units), demonstrating direct operational comparability.
• Station Biologique de Roscoff (CNRS/Sorbonne Université): CNRS-affiliated marine biology and ecology research station operating as a comparable French UMR with multi-platform infrastructure, doctoral training, and open-access research dissemination. Sister institution under CNRS with similar operational model to LECA.
• MNHN - Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (Paris): Major French natural history institution with comparable biodiversity research, systematics, and ecology research capacity. Functions as a broader-incumbent French public research institution with overlapping scientific missions to LECA.

Direct peers

• Eurac Research - Institute for Alpine Environment: Bozen-based research institute studying Alpine and mountain environments, climate change impacts on mountain ecosystems, and regional environmental management. Directly comparable to LECA's alpine ecology focus with overlapping methodologies (long-term monitoring, biodiversity assessment, policy interface).
• University of Innsbruck - Department of Ecology: Austrian university ecology department with strong alpine and mountain ecosystem research, including long-term biodiversity monitoring and climate-change studies in European Alps. Directly comparable geographic and thematic focus to LECA.
• University of Zurich - Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies: Swiss university institute conducting research on biodiversity, conservation, and environmental science including alpine systems. Comparable academic profile, research output scale, and integration of modeling and field ecology.
• University of Lausanne - Department of Ecology and Evolution: Swiss university department conducting ecology, evolution, and conservation biology research including alpine and freshwater systems. Comparable academic ecology research output, training of doctoral students, and methodological development to LECA.
• WSL - Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research: Swiss federal research institute conducting long-term research on forests, landscapes, biodiversity, and natural hazards including alpine ecosystems. Operates comparable national research infrastructure, long-term observation programs, and policy-facing environmental science analogous to LECA.

Regional players

• CREA Mont-Blanc (Centre de Recherche sur les Ecosystèmes d'Altitude): French research centre focused on high-altitude ecosystems around Mont-Blanc. Already an LECA partner; highly comparable in geographic and thematic specialization but operates with narrower infrastructure footprint.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EcologieAlpine
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@LaboratoiredEcologieAlpine
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cnrs-laboratoire-decologie-alpine-leca

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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