[Intertidal macrozoobenthos evolution of the "Baie des Veys' between 1985 and 2000]. / Evolution du macrozoobenthos intertidal de la baie des Veys de 1985 a 2000.

Intertidal macrozoobenthos evolution of the 'Baie des Veys' between 1985 and 2000. The distribution of intertidal macrozoobenthos in the 'Baie des Veys' (French coast of the eastern English Channel) has been studied in 2000. Results were compared with those of 1985, which are included in a long-term monitoring program established since 1973. The populations remained distributed along an estuarine-marine gradient, with a particularity on the eastern side, which is isolated from the rest of the bay by a river channel. The western and central tidal flats became more subjected by marine influence, which led to a homogenisation of the benthic communities. Oyster farming locally caused a fast decrease of the typical eastern community, which was characterized by Scoloplos armiger and Urothoe poseidonis.

Biodiversity in salt marshes: from patrimonial value to ecosystem functioning. The case study of the Mont-Saint-Michel bay.

Until 1979, European salt marshes were known only through the inventories of fauna and especially of flora. On such criteria, the salt marshes of the Mont-Saint-Michel bay (France) were regarded as most significant of the French coasts. However, it took 20 years of research on the role of these wetlands of the estuaries-salt marsh systems to highlight the ecological, social and economic interest of this ecotone, between continental and marine systems, a long time considered as territory "without value", except for stock breeders or hunters.

Sheep grazing as management tool in western European saltmarshes.

The effects of sheep grazing on plant community structure and diversity were studied in saltmarshes of the Mont-Saint-Michel bay. This study took place at two scales: (1) at the scale of the entire bay to explore the changes in plant community over a ten year period; and (2) locally with the use of experimental exclosure set up to mimic the abandonment of grazing. Moderate grazing generally enhanced plant richness and diversity, while the absence of grazing and overgrazing lead to a decrease in diversity and richness. The development of management strategies is becoming critical to preserve the diversity of saltmarshes functions.