A multi‐metric fish index to assess the environmental condition of estuaries

Harrison, Trevor D.; Whitfield, Alan K.

doi:10.1111/j.0022-1112.2004.00477.x

Cited by 150 publications

(124 citation statements)

References 28 publications

(68 reference statements)

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“…Muddy sediments dominate the inner continental shelf of the Amazon estuary (BARRETO et al, 1975), providing a considerable abundance and diversity of resources (LOWE-MCCONNELL, 1962) to a rich fauna of benthic invertebrates, which feed primarily on organic debris (DAY et al, 1989). As a result, a substantial variety of fishes that feed on these organisms are attracted to these environments WHITFIELD, 2004), especially species with demersal habits, which show a high productivity in the region .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fish bycatch of the laulao catfish Brachyplatystoma vaillantii (Valenciennes, 1840) trawl fishery in the Amazon Estuary

2013

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This study aimed to analyse the composition and seasonal variation in the fish bycatch of the Brachyplatystoma vaillantii trawl fishery in the Amazon Estuary in 2009 by monitoring the trips of 48 vessels. The bycatch represented 29% of the catches, totalling 22,228 specimens and 52 taxa, distributed in 22 families (the principal families were Ariidae, Pimelodidae, and Sciaenidae). Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii, Plagioscion squamosissimus, and Sciades herzbergii together contributed 69% of the bycatch and were considered consistent bycatch species. Although a higher proportion of bycatch was captured during the rainy season, the seasonal difference was not significant. A multidimensional scaling (MDS) ordination analysis and an analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) indicated that the species composition of the bycatch was similar across the seasons. However, larger numbers of B. rousseauxii and P. squamosissimus were captured during the rainy season, whereas S. herzbergii predominated during the dry season. The marine migrants and estuarine species guilds showed the greatest richness, whereas freshwater migrants were the most numerous. Among the feeding guilds, the zoobenthivores were the most diverse, whereas the piscivores were the most abundant. The results indicate that fishing pressure primarily affects small- (20-30 cm) and medium-sized (30-50 cm) individuals, although the catch of P. squamosissimus was composed primarily of adults. However, the catches of both B. rousseauxii and B. vaillantii were composed primarily of juveniles.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fish bycatch of the laulao catfish Brachyplatystoma vaillantii (Valenciennes, 1840) trawl fishery in the Amazon Estuary

2013

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“…Some 250 estuaries spanning the entire South African coast were assessed using this approach. Harrison and Whitfield (2004) further developed the multimetric approach to produce the estuarine fish community index (EFCI). This index is based on 14 fish community attri butes or metrics that include measures of richness and composition (species richness and species composition), abun dance (species abundance and number of species >90% of the catch), estuarine dependence (number of estuarine-resident species, number of estuarine-dependent marine species, abun dance of estuarine-resident species, and abundance of estuarine-dependent species), and trophic composition (num ber of benthic invertivore species, number of piscivorous species, abundance of benthic invertivore species, and abun dance of piscivorous species).…”

Section: Estuarine Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Classifying Ecological Quality and Integrity of Estuaries

Borja¹,

Basset²,

Bricker³

et al. 2011

Treatise on Estuarine and Coastal Science

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There is an increasing need in assessing ecological quality and integrity of estuaries and lagoons. This chapter shows the most recent efforts in assessing individual biological elements (from phytoplankton to fishes), together with the integrative tools developed in different geographical areas worldwide. However, reducing complex information from multiple ecosystem elements to a single color or value is a substantial challenge to marine scientists, and requires the integration of different disciplines (chemists, engineers, biologists, ecologists, physics, managers, etc.), to reach agreement on the final assignment of ecological status. Hence, in the near future, emphasis needs to be directed at understanding the complexities of estuarine system functioning rather than simplifying and scaling down the system into smaller components. Provided for non-commercial research and educational use.Not for reproduction, distribution or commercial use.This chapter was originally published in Treatise on Estuarine and Coastal Science, published by Elsevier, and the attached copy is provided by Elsevier for the author's benefit and for the benefit of the author's institution, for noncommercial research and educational use including without limitation use in instruction at your institution, sending it to specific colleagues who you know, and providing a copy to your institution's administrator.All other uses, reproduction and distribution, including without limitation commercial reprints, selling or licensing copies or access, or posting on open internet sites, your personal or institution's website or repository, are prohibited.For exceptions, permission may be sought for such use through Elsevier's permissions site at: Author's personal copy AbstractThere is an increasing need in assessing ecological quality and integrity of estuaries and lagoons. This chapter shows the most recent efforts in assessing individual biological elements (from phytoplankton to fishes), together with the integrative tools developed in different geographical areas worldwide. However, reducing complex information from multiple ecosystem elements to a single color or value is a substantial challenge to marine scientists, and requires the integration of different disciplines (chemists, engineers, biologists, ecologists, physics, managers, etc.), to reach agreement on the final assignment of ecological status. Hence, in the near future, emphasis needs to be directed at understanding the complexities of estuarine system functioning rather than simplifying and scaling down the system into smaller components.

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“…Metrics such as the fish index of biotic integrity (FIBI) and the benthic IBI have been widely applied, both internationally and regionally (e.g., streams in Maryland, USA). IBI metrics are seen as providing greater insight into ecosystem condition than physical measurements (e.g., water quality) alone, as biological communities provide an integrated summary of ecosystem condition over time [6][7][8]. However, in the absence of a rigorous process for integrating data on diverse biotic communities and other ecosystem components and for communicating results to decision-makers, these indices and bioindicators have had limited effectiveness in improving ecosystem management [9].…”

Section: Integrative Indices and Report Cardsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Habitat-Based Framework for Communicating Natural Resource Condition

et al. 2012

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Progress in achieving desired environmental outcomes needs to be rigorously measured and reported for effective environmental management. Two major challenges in achieving this are, firstly, how to synthesize monitoring data in a meaningful way at appropriate temporal and spatial scales and, secondly, how to present results in a framework that allows for effective communication to resource managers and scientists as well as a broader general audience. This paper presents a habitat framework, developed to assess the natural resource condition of the urban Rock Creek Park (Washington, DC, USA), providing insight on how to improve future assessments. Vegetation and stream GIS layers were used to classify three dominant habitat types, Forest, Wetland, and Artificial-terrestrial. Within Rock Creek Park, Forest habitats were assessed as being in good condition (67% threshold attainment of desired condition), Wetland habitats to be in fair condition (49% attainment), and Artificial-terrestrial habitats to be in degraded condition (26% attainment), resulting in an assessed fair/good condition (60% attainment; weighted by habitat area) for all natural resources in Rock Creek Park. This approach has potential to provide assessment of resource condition for diverse ecosystems and provides a basis for addressing management questions across multiple spatial scales.

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A multi‐metric fish index to assess the environmental condition of estuaries

Cited by 150 publications

References 28 publications

Fish bycatch of the laulao catfish Brachyplatystoma vaillantii (Valenciennes, 1840) trawl fishery in the Amazon Estuary

Fish bycatch of the laulao catfish Brachyplatystoma vaillantii (Valenciennes, 1840) trawl fishery in the Amazon Estuary

Classifying Ecological Quality and Integrity of Estuaries

A Habitat-Based Framework for Communicating Natural Resource Condition

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