Species

Plankton of very small size, invisible to the naked eye.

Matter generated by living beings (plants, animals, mushrooms and other decomposers including micro-organisms).

Large plankton visible to the naked eye. Jellyfish and ctenophora are part of the macroplankton.

Organism generated by symbiotic association between a mushroom (which brings water and mineral salts) and algae (which creates, by photosynthesis, different organic compounds that it yields in part to the mushroom). Lichens are able to withstand extreme weather conditions and are able to accumulate mineral compounds well beyond their own needs. As a result, they are often used as pollution indicators.

Index assessing the biological status of rivers based on macrophytes. Applicable to the inland parts of rivers, it essentially reflects the degree of tropism (feeding process of plant organs and tissues) related to ammonium and orthophosphate contents, as well as the most obvious organic pollution.

Plant species growing in aquatic environments.

Plant or animal species benefiting from a legal protection status for reasons of scientific interest or the need to preserve the biological heritage.

All exchanges and transformations of sulphur in the different components of the environment.

All exchanges and transformations of phosphorus in the different components of the environment. Unlike many other biogeochemical cycles, the phosphorus cycle has no impact on the atmosphere.