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Diversité végétale et diversité biologique : approche consensuelle ou conflictuelle lors de la rénovation des parcs ? by Yves-Marie ALLAIN – Château de Bénouville
Plant diversity and biological diversity : consensual or conflictual approach when renovating parks?
Since the late 18th century, independently of artistic movements, two major phenomena have accompanied the creation of parks and gardens: the diversity of species thanks to the importation of exotic plants from America and the Far East, and the evolution of the science and techniques applied to garden maintenance (reapers, mowers, pesticides, spraying, etc.). Over recent years, biological diversity has been the subject of many discussions and a number of landscaping projects, including those on gardens, whether historic or not, have found themselves confronted with a new paradigm. In garden art, should the preservation of indigenous species or natural habitats take priority over the cultural and aesthetic history of gardens? Be it a true or false debate, in this early 21st century, the question needs to be asked.
Yves-Marie Allain
Yves-Marie Allain is a horticultural engineer and certified landscape architect (Versailles). He worked as director of green spaces for regional authorities before joining the National Museum of Natural History in Paris as director of the culture department, in charge of living plant collections and the sites of the Chèvreloup Botanic Gardens and National Arboretum. He concluded his career as general inspector for the environment. For eight years, he was a member of the garden section of the French superior Historic Monuments Commission. He has published several articles and works on the relationships between botanics, plants and landscape and garden art.
Further reading :
Les plantes exotiques, une réputation perdue?, éditions Petit Génie, 2014
Le jardin suit-il des modes? 90 clés pour comprendre les jardins , Quae, 2013
Les serres, le génie architectural au service des plantes, Actes Sud, 2013
Une histoire des jardins botaniques : entre science et art paysager, Quae, 2012
Une histoire de serres : de l’orangerie au palais de cristal, Quae, 2010