A Simple Index of Lake Ecosystem Health Based on Species-Area Models of Macrobenthos.

ABSTRACT: An effective biological index should meet two criteria: (1) the selected parameters have clear relationships with ecosystem health and can be measured simply by standard methods and (2) reference conditions can be defined objectively and simply. Species richness is a widely used estimate of ecosystem condition, although it is increased by nutrient enrichment, a common disturbance. Based on macrobenthos data from 91 shallow Yangtze lakes disconnected from the mainstem, we constructed an observed species (S_O)-area (A) model to predict expected species richness (S_E), and then developed an observed to expected index (O/E-_SA) by calculating the S_O/S_E ratio. We then compared O/E-_SA

SUBMITTER: Wu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9367816 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature