Marine quality assessment by use of benthic species-abundance distributions: a proposed new protocol within the European Union Water Framework Directive

The aim of this study is to develop a new method for classification of marine benthic quality according to the European Union Water Framework Directive. Tolerance values to environmental disturbance were determined in an objective analysis for benthic species along the Swedish west coast by using 46...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine pollution bulletin 2004-11, Vol.49 (9), p.728-739
Main Authors: Rosenberg, Rutger, Blomqvist, Mats, C Nilsson, Hans, Cederwall, Hans, Dimming, Anna
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amphiura
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Applied ecology
Biological and medical sciences
BIOTIC INDEX
Capitella
Classification
COMMUNITIES
Diversity index
Ecology
Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution
Ekologi
Environmental Monitoring - methods
Europe
FJORD
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
HABITATS
HYPOXIA
Invertebrates
Kattegat
MACROFAUNA
Marine
Marine and brackish environment
OBJECTIVE
OXYGEN DEFICIENCY
Pollution
POLLUTION-INDUCED CHANGES
Population Dynamics
Quality Control
SEDIMENT PROFILE IMAGERY
SELECTION
Skagerrak
Water Pollutants - poisoning
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Summary:The aim of this study is to develop a new method for classification of marine benthic quality according to the European Union Water Framework Directive. Tolerance values to environmental disturbance were determined in an objective analysis for benthic species along the Swedish west coast by using 4676 samples from 257 stations. Based on a combination of the species tolerance values, abundance and diversity, a benthic quality index (BQI) was calculated for the assessment of environmental status at a particular station. The qualification of BQI was evaluated in relation to known spatial and temporal gradients of disturbance.
ISSN:0025-326X
1879-3363
DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2004.05.013