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A zone-specific fish-based biotic index as a management tool for the Zeeschelde estuary (Belgium) |
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| Authors: | Jan Breine Paul Quataert Frans Ollevier Ericia Van den Bergh |
| Institution: | a Research Institute for Nature and Forest, Duboislaan 14, B-1560 Groenendaal, Belgium b Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Charles Deberiotstraat 32, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium c Laboratory of Animal Diversity and Systematics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Charles Deberiotstraat 32, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium d European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Environment and Sustainability, Rural, Water and Ecosystem Resources Unit, Via E. Fermi 2749, I-21027 Ispra (VA), Italy |
| 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 13 year 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. |
| Keywords: | Biotic integrity Fish-based index Meso- and oligohaline estuary Freshwater European Water Framework Directive Zeeschelde |
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