Biodegradability
Définition
Sens commun
Ability of substances to be broken down by living organisms into inorganic compounds.Source
According to Ifremer
Species
Biocide
Définition
Sens technique
Any synthetic product which is toxic for some living organisms, or which aims at fighting against certain types of rot. The use of biocides is regulated (Decree No. 2004-187 of 26 February 2004 on the transposition of Directive 98/8/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 1998 concerning the placing of biocidal products on the market; Environmental Code, Art. 522-9).Source
According to the Environmental Code
Benthos
Définition
Sens commun
All organisms found at the bottom or on the seabed. E.g. macro-algae are attached to the bottom, they are part of the benthos (unlike unicellular algae or micro-algae that float passively and are therefore part of the phytoplankton). Molluscs, crustaceans and worms are also part of the benthos, although their eggs are planktonic. It is the same with echinoderms.Source
According to Ifremer
Benthophagous
Définition
Benthic
Définition
Sens commun
Adjective that describes the water-sediment interface (= water-lithosphere interface) of an aquatic ecosystem, regardless of its depth (the bottom of lakes or of rivers or of the sea). Also describes an organism living on the river bottom or sea bed (macroinvertebrates, for example).Source
According to the Ministry of Ecology
Bacteria
Définition
Sens technique
Extremely small unicellular prokaryotic microorganism, classified either in independent kingdom, neither animal nor plant, or classified with the fungi as Schizomycophita. Their form is highly variable, either living as saprophytes (soil, water, living organism), or as a parasite of humans, animals and plants.Source
According to Ifremer
Allis shad
Définition
Sens technique
Fish species belonging to the Clupeidae family (such as sardine and herring). The allis shad are among the anadromous species (i.e. which swim up rivers to spawn in the middle part of the rivers). As such, their populations have paid a heavy price to river development (dams without fish pass facilities, extraction of gravel changing the spawning, etc). Their presence is therefore a good indicator of the status of a river development. Two species of allis shad are present (and exploited) in French waters: the allis shad (Alosa Alosa) and twaite shad (Alosa fallax).
Source
According to Ifremer
Abundance
Définition
Sens technique
Quantitative parameter for describing a population. The complete quantification of a fauna or flora population is usually impossible. By extension, it means a number of individuals in a given category: population, recruitment, stock, relative to a time or surface unit.Source
According to Ifremer
Diatom Biotic Index
Définition
Sens technique
Index for assessing the biological quality of the water of a river through an analysis of benthic diatom flora.Source