Plant detection from ultra high resolution remote sensing images: A Semantic Segmentation approach based on fuzzy loss
In this study, we tackle the challenge of identifying plant species from ultra high resolution (UHR) remote sensing images. Our approach involves introducing an RGB remote sensing dataset, characterized by millimeter-level spatial resolution, meticulously curated through several field expeditions across a mountainous region in France covering various landscapes. The task of plant species identification is framed as a semantic segmentation problem for its practical and efficient implementation across vast geographical areas. However, when dealing with segmentation masks, we confront instances where distinguishing boundaries between plant species and their background is challenging. We tackle this issue by introducing a fuzzy loss within the segmentation model. Instead of utilizing one-hot encoded ground truth (GT), our model incorporates Gaussian filter refined GT, introducing stochasticity during training. First experimental results obtained on both our UHR dataset and a public dataset are presented, showing the relevance of the proposed methodology, as well as the need for future improvement.
(02/09/2026)
OBELIX, IRISA-D6, IRISA, UR, INSA Rennes, UBS, ENS Rennes, Inria, CNRS, IMT Atlantique, LETG - Rennes, UBO EPE, UR2, LETG, UBO EPE, UR2, CNRS, Nantes Univ - IGARUN, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Changes in taxonomic and functional composition of subalpine plant communities in response to climate change under contrasting conditions of bedrock and snow cover duration
Questions: We assessed interactions between climate change, bedrock types and snow cover duration on the trajectories of taxonomic and functional composition of subalpine plant communities. We predict (i) an increase in species richness on siliceous bedrock due to a reduced competition and a decrease in richness on calcareous bedrock due to increasing drought stress; (ii) decreasing snow cover duration should induce a higher shrub encroachment in hollows as compared to ridges; and (iii) increasing growing season temperature should induce taller sizes and more conservative growth traits, in particular in hollows. Location: Subalpine belt of the Grandes Rousses mountain range, southwestern Alps (France). Methods: 189 vegetation plots were sampled in 1997 and 2017-2018. The duration of snow cover was assessed during two years in 1995-1997 and five functional traits were measured on 108 species in 2021. We performed multivariate analyses, quantified community-weighted means (CWM) of traits and used ANOVAs to detect responses to local-scale factors and changes in snow cover, temperature and precipitation since 1997 according to a nearby meteorological station. Results: Overall, taxonomic composition weakly changed and changes were more dependent on the position of communities along the snow cover duration gradient than on their bedrock type. The abundance of drought-tolerant species increased at the border of hollows and there was, over all communities, a slight increase in the abundance of dwarf shrubs and tall herbaceous species, a strong decrease in short herbaceous species and, thus, an overall decrease in species richness. There were important overall changes in CWM of size traits, in particular leaf area which increased the most in hollows irrespective of bedrock types. Conclusion: In this subalpine site the effects of decreasing snow cover duration overwhelmed the effects of bedrocks, which may explain the overall increase in competitive species and decrease in species richness
(Journal of Vegetation Science. vol. 35, n° 1100-9233, pp. e13253, 02/09/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, LECA, USMB [Université de Savoie] [Université de Chambéry], CNRS, Fédération OSUG, UGA, UR LESSEM, INRAE, Fédération OSUG, UGA
Reproduction of Marphysa sanguinea Annelida, Polychaeta (Eunicidae), at Mount Edgecombe, Plymouth, near the type locality in Southwest England
The reproductive cycle of Marphysa sanguinea is described for a population at Mount Edgecombe, Plymouth, near the type location in Southwest England, using a data set obtained previously (October 1999 to September 2000). The species is iteroparous without schizogamy, spawning prior to October 1999 and during a short breeding season in 2000 from end August through September. The sexes are separate with a sex ratio of 1:1. Mature oocytes and spawned eggs are 215 μm in diameter and spermatozoa of the ectaqua sperm type. Mature gametes of both sexes are discharged through paired coelomoducts, and the diploid chromosome number is 28. Proliferation of new coelomic gametes from paired gonads began within a month of spawning and continued for 8–9 months but ovulation was suppressed in June and July. Attempts to undertake fertilisation using spawned oocytes and active spermatozoa were unsuccessful. The size of discharged oocytes suggests a short pelagic larval duration of a few days. This is the first publication about the reproduction of this species, and our results suggest that M. sanguinea is restricted to intertidal areas in SW England, NW France and southern North Sea. The highly synchronised pattern of reproduction observed is not compatible with a quasi-cosmopolitan species range indicating that this species has been mistakenly reported from around the world. Future studies of the genus should combine rigorous taxonomy with observations of reproduction to facilitate comparison among Marphysa spp.
(Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. vol. 104, n° 0025-3154, pp. e19, 02/09/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Fish gut and skin microbiota dysbiosis induced by exposure to commercial sunscreen formulations
UV filters (organic or mineral) present in sunscreen products are emerging contaminants of coastal aquatic environments. There is an urgent need to understand marine organisms responses to these compounds. In this study, we investigated the effect of exposure to dilutions of commercial sunscreen formulations on bacterial communities of mullet (Chelon sp.). The gut and skin mucus microbial communities were characterized using a metabarcoding approach targeting the 16S rRNA gene. Our results revealed that mullets had its own bacterial communities that differ from their surrounding habitats and specific to tissue. The dilutions of commercial sunscreens modified the relative abundance of Actinobacteroita, Bacteriodota and Proteobacteria for both gut and skin microbiota. They also allowed to bacteria affiliated to Mycobacterium, Nocardia and Tenacibaculum genera, known to house pathogenic species, to colonize the epithelium which may have implications for fish host health.
(Aquatic Toxicology. vol. 266, n° 0166-445X, pp. 106799, 02/09/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, LIENSs, INSU - CNRS, ULR, CNRS, LEMAR, IRD, IFREMER, UBO EPE, CNRS
Environmental controls on the distribution of brGDGTs and brGMGTs across the Seine River basin (NW France): implications for bacterial tetraethers as a proxy for riverine runoff
Branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (brGDGTs) are bacterial lipids that have been widely used as environmental proxies in continental paleorecords. Another group of related lipids, branched glycerol monoalkyl glycerol tetraethers (brGMGTs), has recently been proposed as a potential paleotemperature proxy. Nevertheless, the sources and environmental dependencies of both brGDGTs and brGMGTs along the river–sea continuum are still poorly understood, complicating their application as paleoenvironmental proxies in some aquatic settings. In this study, the sources of brGDGTs and brGMGTs and the potential factors controlling their distributions are explored across the Seine River basin (NW France), which encompasses the freshwater-to-seawater continuum. BrGDGTs and brGMGTs were analyzed in soils, suspended particulate matter (SPM), and sediments (n=237) collected along the land–sea continuum of the Seine basin. Both types of compounds (i.e., brGDGTs and brGMGTs) are shown to be produced in situ, in freshwater and saltwater, based on their high concentrations and distinct distributions in aquatic settings (SPM and sediments) vs. soils. Redundancy analysis further shows that both salinity and nitrogen dominantly control the brGDGT distributions. Furthermore, the relative abundance of 6-methyl vs. that of 5-methyl brGDGTs (the IR6Me ratio), the total nitrogen (TN), the δ15N, and the chlorophyll a concentration co-vary in a specific geographical zone with low salinity, suggesting that 6-methyl brGDGTs are preferentially produced under low-salinity and high-productivity conditions. In contrast to brGDGTs, the brGMGT distribution appears to be primarily regulated by salinity, with a distinct influence on the individual homologues. Salinity is positively correlated with homologues H1020a and H1020b and negatively correlated with compounds H1020c and H1034b in SPM. This suggests that bacteria living in freshwater preferentially produce compounds H1020c and H1034b, whereas bacteria that primarily grow in saltwater appear to be predominantly responsible for the production of homologues H1020a and H1020b. Based on the abundance ratio of the freshwater-derived compounds (H1020c and H1034b) vs. their saltwater-derived homologues (H1020a and H1020b), a novel proxy, the Riverine IndeX (RIX), is proposed to trace riverine organic matter inputs, with high values (>0.5) indicating a higher riverine contribution. We successfully applied RIX to the Godavari River basin (India) and a paleorecord across the upper Paleocene and lower Eocene from the Arctic Coring Expedition at Lomonosov Ridge, showing its potential applicability to both modern samples and paleorecords.
(Biogeosciences. vol. 21, n° 1726-4170, pp. 2227-2252, 02/09/2026)
METIS, EPHE, PSL, INSU - CNRS, SU, CNRS, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, ECOBIO, UR, INEE-CNRS, CNRS, CNRS, LEFE, INEE-CNRS, CNRS, UT3, Comue de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse INP, Comue de Toulouse
Impact of water level management on organic carbon availability and nitrogen transformations in wetland sediments
The impact of water level management via water retention on benthic carbon and nitrogen fluxes was studied in a wetland of the Seine estuary. Carbon and inorganic nitrogen fluxes at the sediment-water interface were determined during periods of intermittent and permanent immersion along a lateral gradient. In addition to fluxes, nitrate reduction rates, quantity and quality of both sedimentary and dissolved organic carbon, and organic matter lability via external enzymatic activities were analyzed. During both periods, the sediments subject to water level management facilitated nitrogen removal, with potential NO3- fluxes averaging -109 ± 31 nmol NO3- cm-2 h-1 under permanent immersion and -34 ± 13 nmol NO3- cm-2 h-1 under intermittent immersion. During permanent immersion, more water retention favors a higher input of dissolved organic matter including fresh and labile compounds, which most likely explained the significantly higher NO3- influxes. Intermittent immersion resulted in a lower quantity of retained dissolved organic matter, which likely explains the low N fluxes. The results of this study indicate the implementation of water retention strategies can markedly enhance NO3- removal by increasing the availability of organic matter. This underscores the importance of considering water-level management of wetlands to sustain the ecological functions of these valuable ecosystems, which are often the first barriers against environmental disturbance.
(Science of the Total Environment. vol. 947, n° 0048-9697, pp. 174643, 02/09/2026)
ECOBIO, UR, INEE-CNRS, CNRS, CNRS, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Caractérisation de l’hydrodynamisme des plages et des petits fonds du littoral au sud de l’estuaire de la Gironde à partir de mesures in situ
Le littoral Nord-Médoc, situé au sud de l'estuaire de la Gironde, est soumis à des conditions hydrodynamiques complexes, résultant de l'interaction entre des houles énergétiques et des courants tidaux intenses au sein d'un environnement alternant platiers rocheux, bancs de sables et chenaux de marée. La résultante est un gradient hydrodynamique latitudinal influençant fortement l'évolution morphologique de la côte. Une campagne de mesures de deux semaines a été menée en automne 2022 pour caractériser pour le première fois in situ cette dynamique. Les données ont été collectées le long de trois profils cross-shore s'étendant des petits fonds à l'estran. Les résultats issus de courantomètres profileurs (i.e. ADCP, Aquadopp) et de capteurs de pression ont pu montrer la prédominance des courants tidaux sur l'ensemble du site d'étude (i.e. courant longitudinaux), avec une intensification notable du nord vers le sud. Cette tendance se caractérise par une dominance des courants de flot au Nord, tandis que le jusant domine au sud et au centre du domaine d'étude. Les observations sur les vagues et les courants, en plus d'apporter des éléments de compréhension inédits sur les dynamiques hydrosédimentaires, constituent une base de données indispensable à la validation des modèles de circulation et les prévisions d'évolution du trait de côte dans cette région soumise à l'érosion chronique
(pp. 215-223, 02/09/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, BRGM, LIENSs, INSU - CNRS, ULR, CNRS
Campus bien-être". Avis CTES sur les actions menées en 2023-2024
Les engagements évoqués dans cet avis sont répertoriés dans la Feuille de route des transitions de l’université de Bordeaux (2022), désormais remplacée par un Schéma directeur des transitions environnementales et sociétales (2024). Cet avis porte sur certains aspects de la qualité de vie sur le campus et la promotion d’une politique sociale, et en particulier, l’engagement 19 qui concerne la promotion d’un campus santé.
(pp. 16 p., 02/09/2026)
BSE, UB, CNRS, INRAE, LOMA, UB, CNRS, ImmunoConcept, UB, INSERM, CNRS, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Biodiversité. Avis CTES sur les actions menées en 2023-2024
Les engagements évoqués dans cet avis sont répertoriés dans la Feuille de route des transitions de l’université de Bordeaux (2022), désormais remplacée par un Schéma directeur des transitions environnementales et sociétales (2024). Cet avis porte sur l’engagement 12 (engagement principal) mais aussi sur les engagements 2, 7, 11 et 19, dans le but d’intégrer la biodiversité et sa préservation dans la gestion de nos campus. L’avis se penche d’abord sur l’engagement 12 (voir encadré), et propose ensuite des recommandations générales autour de 5 axes, et émet ensuite des recommandations spécifiques pour chacun des autres engagements.
(pp. 15 p., 02/09/2026)
BSE, UB, CNRS, INRAE, LOMA, UB, CNRS, ImmunoConcept, UB, INSERM, CNRS, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
A Revised Marine Fossil Record Of The Mediterranean Before And After The Messinian Salinity Crisis
The Messinian salinity crisis and its precursor events have been the greatest environmental perturbation of the Mediterranean Sea to date, offering an opportunity to study the response of marine ecosystems to extreme hydrological change and a large-scale biological invasion. The restriction of the marine connection between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean resulted in stratification of the water column and high-amplitude variations in seawater temperature and salinity already from the early Messinian. Here, we present a unified and revised marine fossil record of the Mediterranean (https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13358435, Agiadi et al., 2024) that covers the Tortonian stage, the pre-evaporitic Messinian stage, and the Zanclean stage and encompasses 23 032 occurrences of calcareous nannoplankton, dinoflagellates, foraminifera, corals, ostracods, bryozoans, echinoids, mollusks, fishes, and marine mammals. This record adheres to the FAIR principles, is updated in terms of taxonomy, and follows the currently accepted stratigraphic framework. Based on this record, knowledge gaps are identified, which are due to spatiotemporal inconsistencies in sampling effort and the distribution of sedimentary facies, as well as the inherent differences in the preservation potential between the groups. Additionally, sampling bias in old records may have distorted the record in favor of larger, more impressive taxa within groups. This record is now ready to be used to answer both geological and biological questions about the Mediterranean Sea and beyond and is amendable when new fossil data are brought to light.
(Earth System Science Data. vol. 16, n° 1866-3508, pp. 4767-4775, 02/09/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS