Thermodynamic Orientors: A Review of Goal Functions and Ecosystem Indicators

Posidonia oceanica meadows are ecosystem engineers that play several roles in marine environment maintenance. In this sense, monitoring of the spatial distribution and health status of their meadows is key to make decisions about protecting them against their degradation. With the aim of checking the ability of a simple low-cost acoustic method to acquire information about the state of P. oceanica meadows as ecosystem indicators, ground-truthing and acoustic data were acquired over several of these meadows on the Levantine coast of Spain. A 200 kHz side scan sonar in a vertical configuration was used to automatically estimate shoot density, canopy height and cover of the meadows. The wide athwartship angle of the transducer together with its low cost and user friendliness entail the main advantages of this system and configuration: both improved beam path and detection invariance against boat rolling. The results show that canopy height can be measured acoustically. Furthermore, the accumulated intensity of the echoes from P. oceanica in the first 30 centimeters above the bottom is indirectly related to shoot density and cover, showing a relation that should be studied deeply.

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Goal Functions from Minimax to Maximin in Multicriteria Choice and Optimization

Innovations and Advanced Techniques in Systems, Computing Sciences and Software Engineering ◽

10.1007/978-1-4020-8735-6_36 ◽

2008 ◽

pp. 192-197 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

G.I. Ankoudinov ◽

I.G. Ankoudinov ◽

A.I. Strizhachenko

Keyword(s):

Multicriteria Choice ◽

Goal Functions

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Applying Thermodynamic Orientors: Goal Functions in the Holling Figure-Eight Model

Eco Targets, Goal Functions, and Orientors ◽

10.1007/978-3-642-58769-6_12 ◽

1998 ◽

pp. 193-208 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Brad Bass

Keyword(s):

Goal Functions

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The Nature Of Strategic-Decision-Making Models

Strategic Alignment Process and Decision Support Systems ◽

10.4018/978-1-59140-976-2.ch010 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 241-271

Author(s):

Tamio Shimizu ◽

Marley Monteiro de Carvalho ◽

Fernando Jose Barbin

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Goal Function ◽

Optimization Method ◽

Strategic Decision ◽

Optimal Decision ◽

Problem Solution ◽

Goal Functions ◽

Optimal Decision Making ◽

The Individual ◽

Optimum Solution

In the multiple goal function problems, there is no optimum solution fully satisfying all goals at the same time. The individual goal’s functions are, in general, conflicting and it is not possible to have an optimization method to solve the problem. There is usually a consensus solution satisfying minimal criteria of optimum values for each individual goal function. This consensus is based on the Pareto’s principle presented in chapter nine. The optimal decision making in problems with multiple goals will be analyzed at the end of this chapter (Goicoechea et al., 1982; Keeney & Raiffa, 1976; Dyson, 1990; Saaty, 1980, 1994; Bonabeau, 2003; Charan, 2001; Choo, 1998; Day et al., 1997). In considering restrictions across several scenarios, the problem solution becomes more difficult due to the high number of possible combinations of goal functions and scenarios to be considered.

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Goal functions, orientors and indicators (GoFOrIt's) in ecology. Application and functional aspects – Strengths and weaknesses

Ecological Indicators ◽

10.1016/j.ecolind.2012.12.015 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 28 ◽

pp. 31-47 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

S.N. Nielsen ◽

S.E. Jørgensen

Keyword(s):

Functional Aspects ◽

Goal Functions

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A framework for ecosystem impacts assessment using an indicator approach

ICES Journal of Marine Science ◽

10.1016/j.icesjms.2004.12.016 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 62 (3) ◽

pp. 592-597 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

P.A. Livingston ◽

K. Aydin ◽

J. Boldt ◽

J. Ianelli ◽

J. Jurado-Molina

Keyword(s):

Fishery Management ◽

Ecosystem Impacts ◽

Implementation Challenges ◽

Management Actions ◽

Indicator Approach ◽

Research Organizations ◽

Ecosystem Indicators ◽

Ecosystem Level ◽

Associated Species ◽

The Impact

Abstract Assessment of the historical, present, and future states of marine ecosystems and the effects that humans and climate have on the state of an ecosystem are crucial to the scientific advice required to implement an ecosystem-based fishery management system. Management of federal groundfish fisheries in Alaska considers not just the target fishery, but also the possible impact those fisheries might have on other species and the ecosystem. Management actions have ranged from providing protection of endangered species in the region to preventing new fisheries from starting on key foodweb components such as forage fish. A scientific framework for providing ecosystem-based advice that puts the ecosystem first has been evolving over the past few years. This framework provides a way of assessing ecosystem factors that influence target species, the impact the target fishery may have on associated species, and ecosystem-level impacts of fishing. An indicator approach that describes ecosystem status, and trends and measures of human and climate influence has been developed to provide advice to fishery managers. This approach is now being expanded to utilize a variety of models to predict possible future trends in various ecosystem indicators. Future implementation challenges include the refinement of these predictive models, and the inclusion of climate into the models. Identification of sensitive and meaningful ecosystem indicators is also required before a more formalized decision-making process, one that includes ecosystem considerations, can be developed. Most important, the culture of fishery management and research organizations needs to change to embrace the ecosystem-based protections already mandated by various laws.

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