Assessment of marine benthic quality change in gradients of disturbance: Comparison of different Scandinavian multi-metric indices |
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| Authors: | Alf B Josefson Mats Blomqvist Jrgen LS Hansen Rutger Rosenberg Brage Rygg |
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| Institution: | aDepartment of Marine Ecology, National Environmental Research Institute, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark;bHafok AB, Skogsvägen 25, SE-179 61 Stenhamra, Sweden;cDepartment of Marine Ecology, University of Gothenburg, Kristineberg 566, SE-450 34 Fiskebäckskil, Sweden;dNorwegian Institute for Water Research, Gaustadallèen 21, NO-0349 Oslo, Norway |
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| Abstract: | Three multi-metric benthic macrofauna indices were used to assess marine benthic ecological quality status (EcoQS) according to the European Water Framework Directive, in seven pollution gradients mainly, western Scandinavia. The impacts included organic load, hypoxia, metals, urban effluents and physical disturbance. The indices responded in a similar threshold fashion, irrespective of impact factor identity. Usually, the border between Good and Moderate EcoQS (G/M), is determined as some deviation from a reference situation. References, however, are difficult to find. An alternative procedure is described to estimate the G/M border, not requiring reference data. Thresholds, where faunal structure deterioration commences, were identified from non-linear regressions between indices and impact factors. Index values from the less impacted side of the thresholds were assumed to come from environments of Good and High EcoQS, and the 5th percentile of these data, was defined as the G/M border. Estimated G/M borders compared well with previous studies. |
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| Keywords: | Biotic indices Water Framework Directive Benthic macrofauna Hypoxia Metals Scandinavia |
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