Obituary – Dr Yves Frenot (1958–2022)

Abstract

Yves Frenot will be greatly missed by his friends and colleagues around the world. His long and impressive career has left a tangible legacy in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic research, collaboration and policy. Yves participated in 14 expeditions to the French sub-Antarctic islands (Crozet, Kerguelen and Amsterdam islands) between 1982 and 2004, including a winter on Crozet Island, as well as expeditions to Spitsbergen and Heard Island. He also voyaged to Durmont d'Urville station three times in his role as Director of Institut Polaire Français Paul-Emile Victor (IPEV). In 2018, on board the maiden return voyage of the new L'Astrolabe, Yves was awarded the French Order of Merit. Yves was a prolific publisher on many aspects of the sub-Antarctic, with over 65 scientific publications and numerous reports, conference presentations and popular science communications covering topics such as terrestrial biodiversity (plants, animals, soils, ecophysiology), the impacts of climate change, primary succession after glacial retreat and the dynamics of invasive species. From 1989 to 2003, Yves managed teams at both the national and international level. At the EcoBio department (UMR (Unité Mixte de Recherche) CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) 6553, Rennes), Yves was the deputy director of the 'Station Biologique de Paimpont' from 1994 to 2002, and he also led the research group 'Impact of climate change' (UMR EcoBio). In the mid-1990s, he led the 'Biosol' research project, which was supported by the French Polar IPEV and focused on the study of soils and terrestrial fauna and flora. Yves was passionate about researching and protecting biodiversity in extreme environments. His collaboration with Thierry Micol, Pierre Jouventin and Véronique Sarrano produced a ground-breaking synthesis of research that led to protection (Nature Reserve Terres Australes Françaises) for the French Southern Territories (Kerguelen, Crozet, Saint Paul and Amsterdam islands). doi:10.1017/S0954102022000189