Marine Ecosystems under Toxic Pressure - Vulnerability of Coastal Ecosystems and Adaptation - page 22

Few studies on aquatic systems have examined the effects of
contaminants on the cycle of nutritive elements or their
bioavailability. Studies carried out on land ecosystems suggest,
however, that the contaminants can increase or on the contrary
decrease the liberation of nutritive elements at such a level that the
abundance of the vegetation and/or the bacterial population can be
affected [BOG 96, SAL 97, SAL 01].
1.4.1.3. The alteration of behavior
The behavior is defined as the group of coordinated internal
responses (action or inaction) of living organisms (individuals or
groups) to internal and/or external stimulae, excluding responses
linked to development [LEV 09]. A behavior is, therefore, an
interaction of living beings with each other or with their environment
(Figure 1.7). It can appear to change or be inhibited following a
change in physiological state, a change in the environment or due to a
new social interaction. It is a very early and sensitive indicator of
physiological disturbances. An individual response, alteration in
behavior very often leads to indirect effects linked to predation.
Figure 1.7. Different behavioral relationships between an individual with the other
individuals of its species, other species or its environment (taken from [PEA 12])