Distribution Patterns of Benthic Foraminifera in Fish Farming Areas (Corsica, France): Implications for the Implementation of Biotic Indices in Biomonitoring Studies

Corsican marine aquaculture is one of the highest contributors fish production in France, which may result environmental perturbations caused by organic matter (OM) accumulation under farms and impacting natural communities. This study aimed to (1) characterise conditions at two different farms, (2) monitor response benthic foraminiferal species this activity, (3) assess accuracy existing biotic indices. In 2017, sea floor sediment was sampled transects from for living sedimentary analyses. Four indices were calculated compared: exp(H′bc), Foram-AMBI, Foram Stress Index TSI-Med. A significant increase total carbon (TOC) has been shown, mainly below cages. Communities characterized a shift high density, opportunistic tolerant cages lower densities more sensitive further away. According their distribution patterns along TOC gradient, we propose update ecological group classification seven improve Foram-AMBI’s sensitivity: Triloculina oblonga Quinqueloculina lamarckiana Ecological Group (EG) I; Rosalina bradyi EGIII; Bolivina dilatata, Bulimina aculeata stalkeri EGIV. We recommend prioritising use TSI-Med Foram-AMBI with updated list quality coastal waters Mediterranean Sea.