Apports

Apports is the plural form of apport, a French term used across disciplines to denote inputs, contributions, or additions brought to a system or process. The word comes from the verb apporter, meaning to bring. In practice, apports may be financial, caloric, material, or informational in nature.

In corporate finance and law, an apport refers to capital or assets contributed to a company. An apport en numéraire is a cash contribution; an apport en nature includes property or other non-cash assets. Apports are valued and recorded in equity, influencing ownership shares and control, and may be regulated by corporate or tax law.

In nutrition and public health, apports describe the intake of substances by individuals or populations, such as energy, macronutrients, and micronutrients. Common terms include apport calorique (calorie intake) and apport en protéines. Health guidelines specify recommended apports to maintain adequacy and prevent deficiencies.

In ecology and environmental science, apports denote inputs into ecosystems, such as nutrient or sediment inputs from rivers, atmospheric deposition, or human activities. Quantifying apports helps assess ecosystem functioning, carrying capacity, and the need for remediation.

In agriculture and horticulture, apports refer to inputs applied to soil or crops, such as fertilizers, organic matter, water, or soil amendments. Managing apports aims to optimize yields, soil health, and sustainability, while avoiding excesses that can cause pollution or runoff.