• Ecosystems under natural and anthropogenic pressure 
  This field focuses on the structures, functioning, dynamics, viability and resilience of terrestrial (forest, grassland, agricultural) and aquatic (marine, coastal, freshwater) ecosystems under natural and anthropogenic pressure, as well as the induced effects on organisms, their diversity, and resulting functions and on ecosystem services (food, timber, tourism, cultural services, regulation services, etc.). This research is largely based on the quantity and diversity of model ecosystems present in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, where many ecological and territorial issues intersect, as well as on national and international perspectives.

• Science of plants and plant products
  This field brings together research conducted on plants, from the cell to the plant itself, including microbiota, as well as on plant derived products, using approaches in plant biology and pathology, genetics and genomics, epigenetics and epigenomics, and oenology. Researchers use methods based on integrative biology in order to model the functioning of the plant and its organs, thus contributing to the development of tools for plant improvement, varietal innovation and product quality enhancement.

• Geosciences, chemistry and physics of fluid envelopes This field focuses on the characterisation, quantification and modelling of various aspects of the Earth's surface and subsurface, using geoscience, aquatic physics and chemistry approaches. The research integrates different deep sedimentary environments, their future as reservoirs of various fluids, and natural archives that bear witness to the evolution of environments and climates over the course of the Earth's history.

A Major Research Programme certified in the spring of 2021 is coordinated by this department:

• BPS - Plant Sciences - coordinated by Yves Gibon, INRAE researcher in the Fruit Biology Pathology laboratory (BFP - INRAE & University of Bordeaux)
  Other research department invoved: Social sciences of contemporary changes (CHANGES)
  Other organisations involved: BIOGECO, BFP, EGFV, Ispa, BSE, LBM, Mycsa, Oenology unit, Save, BIC, BIC-PIV (Bordeaux imaging centre-plant imaging unit) and Vine Wine Grande Ferrade

The department is also associated with another GPR:

• Human Past coordinated by the Archeological sciences department

The department also coordinates an Impulsion Research Network (RRI):

• Tackling global change: integrated approaches for people and environment​ coordinated by Caitriona Carter, INRAE researcher in the ETTIS unit (Environment, territories and infrastructures - INRAE) and Sylvain Delzon, INRAE researcher in the  Biodiversity, Genes and Communities laboratory (Biogeco - Inrae and University of Bordeaux)
  Other research department involved: Social sciences of contemporary changes (CHANGES)
  Other organisations involved: BIOGECO, BPH, CED, EABX, EGFV, EPOC, ETTIS, G&E, GRECCAU, BSE, IMB, ISPA, LabPsy, PASSAGES, SAVE, Oenology research unit