ECOTOX, the INRA's network of ecotoxicologists, a major structure involved for the coordination and structuring of the French research in ecotoxicology.

Abstract

A great number of chemicals (metallic and synthetic compounds) are used by human activities. Most of them enter our environment and lead to its contamination, as well as to adverse effects on wildlife and humans. Some compounds of natural origin (toxins, biopesticides...) are also of concern. One challenge for ecotoxicologists remains to understand and predict the long-term impact of these mixtures of chemicals, often on trace concentrations, on living organisms. This implies to develop tools and assessment strategies at different biological levels: individuals, populations, and communities. In that context, this special issue of Environmental Science and Pollution Research highlights selected papers from the members of ECOTOX, the network of ecotoxicologists of the National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) (http://www6.inra.fr/ecotox_eng/). Set up in 2009 to stimulate research on ecotoxicology within INRA and to unify the teams involved in the field, the network now brought together academics of other French research institutes and universities, as well as professionals. A total of 150 scientists over 50 laboratories or companies subscribes to the mailing list of the network. The ECOTOX network is sponsored by the INRA, and particularly the scientific divisions BForest, Grassland and Freshwater Ecology^ and BEnvironment and Agronomy , as well as the BSustainable Management of Crop Health^ metaprogram (SMaCH). The network has three main priority objectives: (i) to encourage scientific thinking within the community of ecotoxicologists, whether they are dealing with aquatic or terrestrial ecosystems, (ii) to contribute to defining a national research strategy in this field, and (iii) to favor scientific production. For many years, the network offers opportunities for exchanges within the French community of ecotoxicologists, especially through regular scientific seminars They were held in Thonon les Bains (1999), Antibes (2002), Dinard (2006), St-Lager (2011), and Biarritz (2014); see the conference report on the last seminar in the present special issue. The network is also involved in the coordination and structuring of the national research in ecotoxicology, by interacting with other French networks and structures. In addition, the network has also set up a thematic watch system (http://www6.inra.fr/ecotox_eng/ Watch), providing to numerous partners a bimonthly bulletin. Finally, the network provides means to present and publish the results and highlights from the research developed by its scientists. That special issue is one illustration of that objective. Twenty-three papers were included in this special issue. These papers highlighted current research on the fate, mode of action, and adverse outcomes for a variety of environmental contaminants, on a variety of biological targets. Some of these results were presented during the last seminar in Biarritz. They aimed at establishing the Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues