Evaluation of the applicability of a fuzzy index of ecosystem integrity (FINE) to characterize the status of Tyrrhenian lagoons

Abstract

The new index FINE, a multimetric, fuzzy-based index for the evaluation of environmental quality for Mediterranean transitional waters, was calculated using biotic data gathered between 2000 and 2006 at 15 stations in 4 Tyrrhenian transitional water ecosystems (Orbetello Lagoon, Padrongiano Delta, Stagno di S. Teodoro, and Stagno di Tortolì), i.e. in a different biogeographic sub-province respect to the one in which the index was developed and validated. The rationale of FINE is that certain attributes, selected on the basis of established principles of benthic ecology, are fundamental for lagoon ecosystem function. A set of other indices (Simpson’s 1-λ’, the W-statistics, AMBI, and BOPA) was also calculated and compared to FINE outputs. FINE, 1-λ’, and the W-statistics were significantly correlated with sedimentary organic matter content. Some stations were unequivocally assigned to the same ecological status, independently from the index used; for others, some discrepancies were evident. Mediterranean transitional waters probably share ecosystem complexities which are not yet fully captured by indices developed and validated elsewher

Response of BITS (a benthic index based on taxonomic sufficiency) to water and sedimentary variables and comparison with other indices in three Adriatic lagoons

“…In general, we observed its presence only in stations close to the sea mouth or with high marine influence, and therefore characterized by high water renewal, such as VE–SMM of Venice. In the Tyrrhenian lagoons, Munari & Mistri (2007b) found M. fuliginosus in the Stagno di Tortoli and Orbetello (ORBE‐NMar), stations characterized by good ecological quality. Therefore, lagoonal spionids have been considered to be tolerant species.…”

“…The last two species have been found only in areas with marine influence and no oxygen depletion, such as VE–SMM in Venice Lagoon and in the Gulf of Olbia, both characterized by low eutrophication and ‘Good/High’ ecological quality (Sfriso et al. 2006, 2007; Munari & Mistri 2007b). Gammarella fucicola (tolerant according to AMBI) was found only in VE–SMM, together with other sensitive amphipods (according to AMBI classification), such as Gammarus aequicauda and Microdeutopus versiculatus .…”

Polychaete/amphipod ratios: An approach to validating simple benthic indicators

“…This ratio has proven especially effective to detect benthic disturbances in response to human pressures resulting from oil spills or offshore oil and gas production (e.g. Gomez and Dauvin, 2000;Nikitik and Robinson, 2003;Andrade and Renaud, 2011;Joydas et al, 2011Joydas et al, , 2012Sukumaran et al, 2013;Seo et al, 2014;Spagnolo et al, 2014), organic enrichment in sediments due to sewage discharge , 2012bVazirizadeh and Arebi, 2011;Subida et al, 2012;Pinedo et al, 2012;Serrano et al, 2014), fish farms (Keeley et al, 2012;Jahani et al, 2012;Karakassis et al, 2013;Zhang et al, 2013;Riera and de-laOssa-Carretero, 2013;Aguado-Giménez et al, 2015), organic and heavy metal contamination and diverse human activities (Dauvin et al, , 2012Munari and Mistri, 2007;Pranovi et al, 2007;Blanchet et al, 2008;Bakalem et al, 2009;Grimes et al, 2010;Pelin, 2011;Wetzel et al, 2012;Caglar and Albayrak, 2012;Saddik and Zourarah, 2013;Taupp and Wetzel, 2013), mosaic of habitats (Bouchet and Sauriau, 2008;Munari and Mistri, 2008;Lavesque et al, 2009;Do et al, 2011Do et al, , 2012Culhane, 2012), eutrophication (Afli et al, 2008;Zhang et al, ...…”

The Decline and Restoration of a Coastal Lagoon (Lake Veere) in the Dutch Delta

“…The response of communities to environmental conditions is often more a matter of differences in species composition concerning tolerant and sensitive species and changes in distribution over trophic and taxonomical levels (e.g., Lardicci et al 2001;Munari and Mistri 2007;Pranovi et al 2008;Como and Magni 2009). As the environmental conditions completely changed, a shift in the present communities toward others that might be better adapted to the new conditions is expected to need a certain time to take place.…”