Using paintings to study past aquatic biodiversity

Fanny Trifilieff: Could you introduce the BIODIVAQUART project?

Anne-Sophie Tribot and Thomas Richard: "BIODIVersité AQUatique dans l'ART" aims to study works of art and use them as evidence of past biodiversity. Starting from the observation that we have little data on the state of aquatic populations in the past, we are interested in art as a source of information. A historical ecology approach is important for biodiversity conservation, as it is not possible to restore ecosystems and exploit them sustainably without knowing their state prior to degradation. This analytical approach makes it possible to provide information on this reference state. To collect as many works as possible, we've added a participative dimension where anyone can upload images of works via the dedicated website (see end of article). The collection is thus enriched by works from private collections or those not yet digitized.

F.T: How does this historical ecology approach work?

A-S.T and T.R: Prospecting for works of art in museums or online databases will enable us to accumulate data. The more works of art we collect, the more data we'll have to support our analysis and bear witness to changes. We call on everyone to participate by sharing images of works representing freshwater and marine aquatic biodiversity. We then identify the species present so that we can derive certain trends using statistics, and determine what might have happened at the time in terms of changes in this biodiversity. Statistical variations are then cross-referenced and interpreted in the light of other disciplines, such as history, to provide information on the parameters that may be taken into account for a fish to be represented on a given chart. The place and date of the painting's creation, as well as what is depicted in it, provide information on how the species may have been transported, preserved, consumed, or even on dietary preferences or religious precepts. All these environmental and human parameters are examined to shed light on these representations.

F.T: What discoveries were made?

A-S.T and T.R: On a European scale, we have observed a global trend towards the decline of almost all the species identified during the 16th-18th centuries, especially in freshwater. The causes can be multiple and are supported by historical documentation: draining of marshes, construction of dams, development of rivers, over-fishing phenomena... All this since medieval times. In the Mediterranean region, the appearance of species typical of the seabed is correlated with the development of new fishing techniques. The identification of certain species of squid or mullet highlights food preferences that correspond to a so-called "Mediterranean" cultural identity. Paintings have so much to tell us when we look at them!

To take part in the project by sending in a painting, visit their website.