Bioreceptivity: a new concept for building ecology studies

A definition of the concept of bioreceptivity as the ability of a material to be colonised by living organisms is given. Related terms, such as primary, secondary, tertiary, intrinsic, extrinsic and semi-extrinsic bioreceptivity, and bioreceptivity index are also explained. The usefulness, possible uses and methodological issues arising from this concept are discussed.