Selection of metrics based on the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa and development of a biotic index (CYMOX) for assessing ecological status of coastal and transitional waters

AbstractA set of classification methods was developed for the Polish coastal and transitional waters regarding the biological quality elements — phytoplankton, macrophytes and macroinvertebrates as required by the EU Water Framework Directive. Mean summer chlorophyll-a and total summer biomass of phytoplankton were proposed as indicators in the phytoplankton assessment. Macrophytes were assessed by the Macrophyte Quality Assessment Index, including biomass and percent bottom coverage of the selected taxa. Macroinvertebrate assessment was based on a biotic index comprising abundance, dominance structure, taxonomical richness and species sensitivity/tolerance to eutrophication. A preliminary assessment of the ecological status revealed that the coastal and transitional waters failed to reach a ‘good’ ecological status.

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A Novel Approach for Deriving Nutrient Criteria to Support Good Ecological Status: Application to Coastal and Transitional Waters and Indications for Use

Frontiers in Marine Science ◽

10.3389/fmars.2019.00255 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Fuensanta Salas Herrero ◽

Heliana Teixeira ◽

Sandra Poikane

Keyword(s):

Ecological Status ◽

Nutrient Criteria ◽

Transitional Waters ◽

Novel Approach ◽

Coastal And Transitional Waters ◽

Good Ecological Status ◽

Indications For Use

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Ecological Evaluation Index continuous formula (EEI-c) application: a step forward for functional groups, the formula and reference condition values

Mediterranean Marine Science ◽

10.12681/mms.60 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 199 ◽

Cited By ~ 70

Author(s):

S. ORFANIDIS ◽

P. PANAYOTIDIS ◽

K. UGLAND

Keyword(s):

Cluster Analysis ◽

Ecological Status ◽

Species Traits ◽

Reference Condition ◽

Evaluation Index ◽

Hyperbolic Model ◽

Transitional Waters ◽

Ecological Evaluation ◽

Coastal And Transitional Waters ◽

Water Species

The Ecological Evaluation Index continuous formula (EEI-c) was designed to estimate the habitat- based ecological status of rocky coastal and sedimentary transitional waters using shallow benthic macrophyte communities as bioindicators. This study aimed to remedy the weaknesses of the currently used EEI methodology in: (1) ecological status groups (ESG), (2) the formula, and (3) reference condition values. A cluster analysis of twelve species traits was used to delineate ESGs. Two main clusters (ESG I, late-successional; ESG II, opportunistic) were identified that were hierarchically divided into three and two sub-clusters, respectively: ESG I comprised thick perennial (IA), thick plastic (IB) and shade-adapted plastic (IC) coastal water species, and angiosperm plastic (IA), thick plastic (IB) and shade-adapted plastic (IC) transitional water species. ESG II comprised fleshy opportunistic (IIB) and filamentous sheet-like opportunistic (IIA) species both in coastal and transitional waters. To avoid discrete jumps at the boundaries between predefined ecological categories, a hyperbolic model that approximates the index values and expresses the ecosystem status in continuous numbers was developed. Seventy-four quantitative and destructive samples of the upper infralittoralCystoseira crinita and coastal lagoonRuppia cirrhosa communities from tentative pristine to less impacted sites in Greece verified 10 as an ‘ideal’ EEI-c reference condition value.

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Monitoring Scotland’s transitional water fish communities under the EU Water Framework Directive

10.37208/tgn27318 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 27 (3) ◽

pp. 48-67

Author(s):

M. O’Reilly ◽

J. Boyle ◽

S. Nowacki ◽

M. Elliott ◽

R. Foster

Keyword(s):

Water Framework Directive ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Reference Conditions ◽

Ecological Status ◽

Fish Communities ◽

High Status ◽

Eu Water Framework Directive ◽

Transitional Waters ◽

Water Fish ◽

The Eu

The history of monitoring transitional water fish in Scotland is briefly outlined. The requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive are explained and how this applies to the monitoring of transitional water fish communities in Scotland is described. The development of a monitoring programme for Scotland is outlined, including sampling methods and strategies. Six transitional waters were selected as representative for Scotland covering three different types of transitional water. A multi-metric tool, the Transitional Water Fish Classification Index was used to assess the ecological status of the fish communities in these waters and the operation of the different metrics and the creation of appropriate reference conditions is explained. The assessment tool was applied to survey data from 2005 to 2018, although only the more recent data fully met the tool requirements. The species composition and abundances in the respective transitional waters were compared. The fully valid surveys were all classed as of Good or High status, indicating the fish communities in all the representative transitional waters appeared to be in good ecological health. The efficacy of the different metrics is considered and some issues with Metric 2, enumerating migratory species, are discussed at length. A new multi-metric tool, the Estuarine Multi-metric Fish Index, is briefly discussed and its introduction for the assessments in Scotland is recommended.

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The use of benthic macroinvertebrate families for river quality assessment in Lithuania

Open Life Sciences ◽

10.2478/s11535-012-0052-1 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 741-758 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Giedrė Višinskienė ◽

Rasa Bernotienė

Keyword(s):

Quality Assessment ◽

Ecological Status ◽

Estimation Method ◽

Environmental Parameters ◽

Biotic Index ◽

Benthic Macroinvertebrate ◽

Accurate Estimation ◽

Macroinvertebrate Communities ◽

River Quality ◽

Lithuanian Rivers

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of environmental factors on the distribution of macroinvertebrate taxa in different sized lowland Lithuanian rivers. A secondary aim was to assess ecological river quality and to determine the most suitable biotic index. A final aim was to determine the most appropriate macroinvertebrate families for river quality assessment in Lithuania. Species composition and quantitative characteristics of benthic macroinvertebrate communities have been investigated using standard kick-sampling method by a standard hand net in 24 different river sites in spring. Physical and chemical environmental parameters were measured in the same study site as the macroinvertebrate sampling. A total of 186 taxa representing 66 families or higher taxonomic ranks of benthic macroinvertebrates have been identified. Water temperature and current velocity influenced the highest number of ivestigated families. Seven of the most tolerant and eleven of the most sensitive macroinvertebrate taxa for hydrochemical parameters related with organic pollution were determined. The DSFI method was founded to be the best index for assessment of ecological status for Lithuanian rivers until more accurate estimation method will be created.

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The use of the marine biotic index AMBI in the assessment of the ecological status of the Óbidos lagoon (Portugal)

Marine Pollution Bulletin ◽

10.1016/j.marpolbul.2006.04.004 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 52 (11) ◽

pp. 1414-1424 ◽

Cited By ~ 65

Author(s):

Susana Carvalho ◽

Miguel B. Gaspar ◽

Ana Moura ◽

Carlos Vale ◽

Paulo Antunes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ecological Status ◽

Biotic Index

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Using indicators for evaluating, comparing, and communicating the ecological status of exploited marine ecosystems. 2. Setting the scene

ICES Journal of Marine Science ◽

10.1093/icesjms/fsp294 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 67 (4) ◽

pp. 692-716 ◽

Cited By ~ 127

Author(s):

Yunne-Jai Shin ◽

Lynne J. Shannon ◽

Alida Bundy ◽

Marta Coll ◽

Kerim Aydin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Working Group ◽

Marine Ecosystem ◽

Ecological Status ◽

Ecological Indicators ◽

Ecosystem Approach ◽

Marine Ecosystems ◽

Comparative Approach ◽

Insufficient Data ◽

Ecosystem Drivers ◽

Selection Of

Abstract Shin, Y-J., Shannon, L. J., Bundy, A., Coll, M., Aydin, K., Bez, N., Blanchard, J. L., Borges, M. F., Diallo, I., Diaz, E., Heymans, J. J., Hill, L., Johannesen, E., Jouffre, D., Kifani, S., Labrosse, P., Link, J. S., Mackinson, S., Masski, H., Möllmann, C., Neira, S., Ojaveer, H., ould Mohammed Abdallahi, K., Perry, I., Thiao, D., Yemane, D., and Cury, P. M. 2010. Using indicators for evaluating, comparing, and communicating the ecological status of exploited marine ecosystems. 2. Setting the scene. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 692–716. Background is provided to the selection of ecological indicators by the IndiSeas Working Group, and the methodology adopted for analysis and comparison of indicators across exploited marine ecosystems is documented. The selected indicators are presented, how they are calculated is explained, and the philosophy behind the comparative approach is given. The combination of selected indicators is intended to reflect different dynamics, tracking processes that display differential responses to fishing, and is meant to provide a complementary means of assessing marine ecosystem trends and states. IndiSeas relied on inputs and insights provided by the local experts from participating ecosystems, helping to understand state and trend indicators and to disentangle the effect of other potential ecosystem drivers, such as climate variability. This project showed that the use of simple and available indicators under an ecosystem approach can achieve a real, wide-reaching evaluation of marine ecosystem status caused by fishing. This is important because the socio-economics of areas where fishing activities develop differs significantly around the globe, and in many countries, insufficient data are available for complex and exhaustive analyses.

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Assessment of the ecological status of transitional waters in Sicily (Italy): First characterisation and classification according to a multiparametric approach

Marine Pollution Bulletin ◽

10.1016/j.marpolbul.2010.06.047 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 60 (10) ◽

pp. 1682-1690 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Gabriella Caruso ◽

M. Leonardi ◽

L.S. Monticelli ◽

F. Decembrini ◽

F. Azzaro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ecological Status ◽

Transitional Waters

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Ecological assessment of the River Nile around Gizert El-Warrak by Phytoplankton and macroinvertebrates assemblages

10.1101/297432 ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kadria M.A. Mahmoud ◽

Sara S.M. Sayed ◽

Mohamed R. Habib

Keyword(s):

Diversity Index ◽

Ecological Status ◽

Organic Pollution ◽

Ecological Assessment ◽

Biological Assessment ◽

Biotic Index ◽

Trophic State Index ◽

River Nile ◽

Summary Statement ◽

State Index

AbstractBiological assessment is considered a useful tool for assessing the ecological status of the aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to use phytoplankton and macroinvertebrates as biological tools for ecological assessment of the River Nile around Gizert El-Warrak. A total of 33 phytoplankton species identified in the studied stations; these include 16 species of Chlorophyta, 5 species of Cyanophyta and 12 species of Bacillariophyta. All investigated stations characterized by high organic pollution according to Palmer′s index. Trophic state index showed a hyper-eutrophic status in stations S1, S2, S4, S6 and S8 and an eutrophic status in stations S3, S5 and S7.Gastropoda and Oligochaeta were the most dominant of macroinvertebrates taxa recorded 50.8 and 24.6%, respectively. Diversity Index (H′) ranged (1.14 – 2) which indicated that the structure of macroinvertebrates habitat was poor. Also, Evenness Index (J) ranged (0.016 – 0.043) which indicated that individuals were not distributed equally. The values of biotic index depending on macroinvertebrates categories showed that the River Nile’s water quality is fairly poor with significant organic pollution.Summary statementBioassessment based on non-taxonomic measurements of algae and biotic indices of macroinvertebrates may be considered as vital methods that reflect disturbances in aquatic systems for both short-term and long-term.

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