A review of approaches for classifying benthic habitats and evaluating habitat quality

Díaz, Robert J.; Solan, Martin; Valente, Raymond M.

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2004.06.004

Cited by 491 publications

(263 citation statements)

References 167 publications

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“…However, following Díaz et al (2004), rather than developing such integrative methods, we are assisting a tautological devel opment of new indices for particular biological elements (e.g., phytoplankton and macroinvertebrates), which appear to be endemic, self-propagating, and rarely justified. This recent increase in the number of aquatic habitat quality indices sug gests that there is little acceptance of any specific metric by environmental managers or scientists.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The growth in the number of these indices has been fueled by management's desire for a reductionist approach to the assess ment of habitat quality (Díaz et al, 2004). Basically, the final outcome is the integration of multivariate data into a single sitespecific numeric value that can be interpreted by a nonspecialist within a good-versus-bad gradient, often to meet a minimum legislative requirement (i.e., the Clean Water Act or the WFD).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Univariate indices were largely developed for marine or coastal ecosystems; however, new functional and multimetric indices are being developed for macroinvertebrates (see Díaz et al, 2004;Borja and Dauer, 2008;ICES, 2008;Pinto et al, 2009). The benthic indicators and indices can be classified into four categories: (1) based on diversity, (2) based on ecological groups, (3) based on trophic groups, and (4) indices synthesiz ing several other indicators.…”

Section: Macroinvertebratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The MISS approach clearly proved that no single biotic index can correctly assess the ecological status of a given benthic invertebrate community. Table 5 shows an updated list of benthic indices found in the literature (from Díaz et al, 2004;Borja and Dauer, 2008;ICES, 2008;Pinto et al, 2009;Borja et al, 2009c;Ducrotoy et al, 2010). Hence, there is a plethora of univariate and multi variate indices and methods to assess the status or the integrity of estuaries using macroinvertebrates, sometimes associated with other environmental or biological variables.…”

Section: Macroinvertebratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

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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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Macroinvertebratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Macroinvertebratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Classifying Ecological Quality and Integrity of Estuaries

Borja¹,

Basset²,

Bricker³

et al. 2011

Treatise on Estuarine and Coastal Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…All of them are species richness based indices utilizing quantitative characteristics of benthic communities. Indices assume that bottom-dwelling fauna are sedentary enough to escape from deteriorating environmental conditions and therefore will relatively rapidly respond to human induced pressures (Pearson and Rosenberg 1978, Borja et al 2000, Diaz et al 2004, Villnas and Norkko 2011. To be considered as appropriate for ecological status assessment an indicator should meet the following criteria: be scientifically based (Rice 2003, Rice and Rochet 2005, Mee et al 2008, Niemeijer and de Groot 2008, Elliott 2011; ecosystem relevant and biologically important (Niemeijer andde Groot 2008, Elliott 2011); responsive, sensitive, specific and predictable (Rice 2003, Rice and Rochet 2005, Mee et al 2008, Niemeijer and de Groot 2008, Elliott 2011, Kershner et al 2011; accurate and practical in terms of measurability and cost effectiveness (Rice and Rochet 2005, Niemeijer and de Groot 2008, Kershner et al 2011.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invasive ecosystem engineers and biotic indices: Giving a wrong impression of water quality improvement?

Zaiko

Daunys

2015

Ecological Indicators

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Abstract:Benthic component of an ecosystem is considered in ecological status assessment of the key European Directives. Most of the metrics proposed for the benthic quality assessment are biodiversity based. Their robustness and applicability are widely discussed in many recent studies. However an impact of invasive alien species on biotic indices and environmental quality assessments has been largely overlooked by researchers so far. In the current study we assessed Benthic Quality Index (BQI) in a coastal ecosystem, highly affected by the invasive zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha. Zebra mussel is able of modifying benthic habitats and enhancing local biodiversity. In the analyzed ecosystem it affected benthic species richness, abundance and community structure. As a result the calculated BQI values were significantly higher in the presence of zebra mussel with evident outliers in samples with particularly high zebra mussel abundances. Therefore we found that BQI determined in our study was artificially elevated providing false signal of the ecological status improvement. Based on the results presented, we suggested data correction framework that has been tested on the current dataset and proved to be effective minimizing zebra mussel impact on BQI assessment. Our experience could be applied for other coastal ecosystems invaded by the zebra mussel or any other aquatic invasive species with resembling biological traits and bioinvasion impacts. Highlights: We test the effect of an invasive alien species on ecological quality assessment  We calculate Benthic Quality Index for the coastal lagoon affected by zebra mussel  Zebra mussel may modify benthic habitats enhancing local biodiversity  This might bias BQI by showing false improvement of ecological status  We suggest a framework how the this bias could be minimized

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