The speed of land use changes in South-East Asia, and particularly the “cash crop” intensification, has important consequences on the soil environment. Following this statement IRD (IRD – Research Institute for Development) has decided to launch an international joint laboratory entitled LUSES for « Dynamic of Land Use changes and Soil Ecosystem Services » which associates French (CIRAD) and 7 Sou
th-East Asian partners. The force of the LMI LUSES is rooted in its regional scale actions. What is a LMI : an international joint laboratory or LMI is an operating research organization whose objective is to jointly design and conduct research and training programs around well defined and mutually agreed scientific goals, through the sharing of facilities, equipment and skills. The LMI will have a regional scale and international influence and will promote the hosting of scientific partners. Scientific Objectives : to create and then consolidate a regional scale program on the environmental impact of agriculture on soil functions link to ecosystem services (nutrient cycling, preservation of soil functional diversity, C sequestration, water cycle and erosion).
