Ecology

"Using the right word, the right idea, the right concept, with the most commonly accepted definition, or even better, with the best accepted and understood definition, can sometimes be a feat...”

Patrick Triplet

> With this quote, we wish to pay tribute to the colosal work of this biologist, and doctor of ecology whose great oeuvre, Dictionnaire encyclopédique de la diversité biologique et de la conservation de la nature (The Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Biological Diversity and Nature Conservation) ─ compiled over the course of more than ten years ─ is the basis of many of the definitions found in this glossary. Indeed, it is by using a language with precise words and clearly defined concepts that everyone and anyone can approach and understand fields of study that may not necessarily be within their own expertise.

This glossary of over 6,000 definitions, written in French with corresponding English translations, is here to help you. It covers the complementary fields of Geography, Ecology, and Economics, without forgetting a small detour into the world of Finance, which of course regulates a large part of our existence.

Travelling from one definition to another, this glossary invites you to explore the rich world of conservation and to understand its mechanisms and challenges.

We wish you all : "Happy reading and a safe journey through our world".

IAM

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Glossaries

Term Definition
IAM

♦ Acronyme pour : "Indice d’attractivité morphodynamique".
♦  Indice permettant de chiffrer globalement les capacités piscicoles associées à la structure physique d’un cours d’eau. Un premier niveau d’analyse consiste à comparer la représentation surfacique des différentes classes des trois composantes de l’habitat. Dans un deuxième temps, les cartes permettent de visualiser l’intérêt ou les lacunes de chacune des composantes de la mosaïque d’habitats résultant de leur combinaison.
L’indice IAM est calculé ainsi :

IAM = [ Σ(S* Attract.(subst.i)) ] * Var (subst.) * Var (h.e) * Var (v)

   où  • Var : Variété (nombre de classes)
           • v : vitesse
           • h.e : hauteur d’eau
           • subst. : substrats/supports
           • Si : Surface relative du substrat / support i.
           • Attract. : attractivité du substrat

Hiérarchisation de l’attractivité des différents substrats.

───────────────────────────────────
Code                          Substrat                                      Attractivité
───────────────────────────────────

 BRA    branchages, grosses racines immergés     100
 BER    sous-berges                                                                90
 HYI      hydrophytes immergés                                          80
 AFF     sources, résurgences, affluents                       70
 BLO     blocs avec caches                                                    60
 GAL     galets                                                                              50
 HEL     hélophytes                                                                     40
 CHV    chevelus racinaires, végétations rases           40
 BLO     blocs sans anfractuosités                                      30
 GGR    galets et graviers mélangés                                     25
 GRA    graviers                                                                          20
 GLS     galets pavés (sans anfractuosité)                       10
 LIT       litières organiques                                                      10
 SAB     sables                                                                                  8
 FIN      éléments fins, limons, vases                                     4
 DAL     dalles, surfaces indurées (sans cache)              1
───────────────────────────────────

♦ Équivalent étranger : Morphodynamic attractiveness index.