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Methodological and statistical aspects of indices of biotic integrity to assess the ecological condition of surface waters
The general aim of an index of biotic integrity (IBI) is to provide policy makers, managers and stakeholders an overall appreciation of the ecosystem condition of a site in one synthetic measure.
This is achieved by evaluating the species composition at the community level. The ecological rationale consists in the fact that anthropogenic changes of the environmental conditions and
ecosystem resources ultimately result in a shift of the species composition. By quantifying selected attributes of the species composition in a test variable, human impacts can be followed up. An IBI
is conceived according to the principles of the Reference Condition Approach (RCA): the index assesses the ecosystem condition of a test site by evaluating the composition of its biological
community compared to the expected configuration under reference conditions. If the difference is substantial in comparison to the intrinsic natural variability, it is concluded that the test site is
impacted by an anthropogenic source. Ideally, the reference sites are pristine, or nearly so. Yet, it is possible to develop IBIs with respect to any well motivated baseline condition, accepted as a
societal goal. This thesis discusses the IBI concept from a statistical and methodological perspective.
Lees de publicatie
- Publicatiedatum
- Februari 2011
- Publicatietype
- Boek
- Thema's
- Natuur en bos
- Auteur(s)
- Paul Quataert
- Reeks
- INBO.T.2011.1