Assessing the sustainability of freshwater systems: A critical review of composite indicators.

ABSTRACT: Quantitative indicators are a common means of assessing the complex dimensions of a sustainable freshwater system, and framing scientific knowledge for policy and decision makers. There is an abundance of indicators in use, but considerable variation in terms of what is being measured and how indicators are applied, making it difficult for end-users to identify suitable assessment methods. We review 95 water-related indices and analyze them along their normative, procedural, and systemic dimensions to better understand how problems are being defined, highlight overlaps and differences, and identify the context(s) in which a particular index is useful. We also analyze the intended use, end-users, and geographic scale of application for each index. We find that risk assessment is the most co

SUBMITTER: Vollmer D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5055483 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature