Philippe Morat (born 19 January 1937, in Saigon) is a researcher mainly in the field of tropical botany. He is a corresponding member of the French Academy of Sciences.

Biography

Agricultural engineer from the Ecole nationale supérieure agronomique de Toulouse, he was admitted to the Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD) in 1960 in the tropical botany section where he remained until 1986, successively in charge, master then research director during his assignments in Madagascar (12 years) and New Caledonia (9 years).

After obtaining a PhD from the University of Paris-Sud in 1972 on the origin of the savannas of south-western Madagascar, he turned his attention to taxonomy and phytogeography. Appointed Professor at the National Museum of Natural History and Director of the Phanerogamy Laboratory in 1986, he is also in charge of the National Herbarium. Correspondent of the French Academy of Sciences in 1999, section of Integrative Biology. Retired in 2006.

Scientific contributions

Highlighting of the anthropic origin of the majority of the savannas of Madagascar. Bioclimatic synthesis of the Big Island. Inventories and taxonomic studies of tropical plant biodiversity on islands in the Indian Ocean (Madagascar, Mascarene Islands, Aldabra, Farquhar) and the Southern Pacific (New Caledonia, Vanuatu, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna). Development of an innovative methodology for the study of the structure and dynamism of their vegetation. Highlighting of their floristic affinities and the establishment of their vegetation and flora in relation to their geological history. Development of a GIS and an evolving taxonomic reference system in the form of a database that has been widely used to date. Vegetation map of New Caledonia.

Functions performed

Publications

Books

The standard author abbreviation Morat is used to indicate this person as the author when citing a botanical name.