Glossary
Ecological quality of soils

DNA; DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, a biological macromolecule found in all cells and many viruses. DNA contains all the genetic information, known as the "genome", enabling living beings to develop and function.

Anoxia; Anoxia

Decrease in the amount of oxygen (O₂) in the medium.

Hydromorphy; Hydromorphie

Saturation of the soil with water for more or less prolonged periods. This results in anoxic conditions that impact soil organisms and plants.

Phagocytosis; Phagocytosis

Mechanism by which certain unicellular organisms (protists) internalize foreign particles (bacteria, cellular debris) in order to digest them.

Bactéries nitrifiantes ; Nitrifying bacteria

Bacteria involved in nitrification, i.e. the aerobic microbiological process transforming ammonium (NH₄) into nitrate in two stages called "nitritation" and "nitratation"...