|
|
| |
Open Marine Archive |
log in |
|
| A zone-specific fish-based biotic index as a management tool for the Zeeschelde estuary (Belgium) |  |
| Breine, J.; Quataert, P.; Stevens, M.; Ollevier, F.; Volckaert, F.A.M.; Van den Bergh, E.; Maes, J. (2010). A zone-specific fish-based biotic index as a management tool for the Zeeschelde estuary (Belgium) Mar. Pollut. Bull. 60(7): 1099-1112. dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2010.01.014 |
| In: Marine Pollution Bulletin. Macmillan: Oxford. ISSN 0025-326X, meer |
| Trefwoorden |
|
| Author keywords |
Biotic integrity; Fish-based index; Meso- and oligohaline estuary; Freshwater; European Water Framework Directive; Zeeschelde |
| Abstract |
Fish-based indices monitor changes in surface waters and are a valuable aid in communication by summarising complex information about the environment (Harrison and Whitfield, 2004). A zone-specific fish-based multimetric estuarine index of biotic integrity (Z-EBI) was developed based on a 13year time series of fish surveys from the Zeeschelde estuary (Belgium). Sites were pre-classified using indicators of anthropogenic impact. Metrics showing a monotone response with pressure classes were selected for further analysis. Thresholds for the good ecological potential (GEP) were defined from references. A modified trisection was applied for the other thresholds. The Z-EBI is defined by the average of the metric scores calculated over a one year period and translated into an ecological quality ratio (EQR). The indices integrate structural and functional qualities of the estuarine fish communities. The Z-EBI performances were successfully validated for habitat degradation in the various habitat zones. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. |
|
|
