Damien Marage

Damien Marage is a University Professor specializing in Ecology and Geography at the University of Franche-Comté, affiliated with the ThéMA Laboratory (UMR 6049 CNRS), the Forest-Wood Resources Study Laboratory (LERFoB), and the Social Dynamics and Space Recomposition Laboratory (LADYSS). His research focuses on socio-ecological systems, particularly the management of living things in territories through analysis of landscape and environmental qualities from urban environments to primary forests.

Marage's research interests center on the geography of relationality, environmental humanities, landscape studies, and modeling of socio-ecological systems. He employs both empirical approaches (Big Data, field experiments, surveys, serious games) and theoretical frameworks (socio-ecological analysis) to examine social, ecological, and economic interactions in territorial dynamics. His work spans diverse geographical contexts including France, Central Europe, the Mediterranean region, and South America.

His recent publications reveal a strong focus on forest management controversies, particularly around clearcutting practices throughout historical periods, as well as innovative approaches to territorial governance and the development of relational geography. His research demonstrates consistent engagement with Natura 2000 conservation sites, forest biodiversity, and the complex relationships between human societies and forest ecosystems.

Marage actively supervises doctoral research, notably directing Sindy Baron-Blanco's thesis on forest governance. He leads several significant research projects including Silva Numerica (2022-2024), MORVAN (2022-2025), ATABLE (2021-2023), and the SOLUTRE serious game project (2017-2022, extended to 2025). His work bridges multiple disciplines, creating connections between ecological dynamics, stakeholder strategies, and public policies.

He contributes to the academic community as a reviewer for numerous prestigious journals including Ecological Modelling, Forest Ecology and Management, and Journal of Applied Ecology, demonstrating his standing within the environmental research community.