Ecological Indicators for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Assessment

Ecological Indicators for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Assessment PDF Author: João Carlos Marques
Publisher: WIT Press
ISBN: 1845642090
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 210

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Book Description
Ecological indicators address ecosystems structure and/or function and are commonly used to provide synoptic information about their state. Through quantitative representations of either the forces that steer ecosystems, responses to forcing functions, or of previous, current, or future states of an ecosystem, indicators are expected to reveal conditions and trends that will help in development planning and decision making processes. Ecological indicators combine numerous environmental factors in a single value, which may be useful in terms of management and in the development of ecological concepts, compliant with the general public's understanding. Nevertheless, their application is not exempt of criticisms, the first of which is that aggregation results in an oversimplification of the ecosystem under observation. Ecological indicators must therefore be handled following the right criteria and in situations that are consistent with its intended use and scope; otherwise they may drive to confusing interpretations of data.

Ecological Indicators for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Assessment

Ecological Indicators for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Assessment PDF Author: João Carlos Marques
Publisher: WIT Press
ISBN: 1845642090
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 210

Get Book Here

Book Description
Ecological indicators address ecosystems structure and/or function and are commonly used to provide synoptic information about their state. Through quantitative representations of either the forces that steer ecosystems, responses to forcing functions, or of previous, current, or future states of an ecosystem, indicators are expected to reveal conditions and trends that will help in development planning and decision making processes. Ecological indicators combine numerous environmental factors in a single value, which may be useful in terms of management and in the development of ecological concepts, compliant with the general public's understanding. Nevertheless, their application is not exempt of criticisms, the first of which is that aggregation results in an oversimplification of the ecosystem under observation. Ecological indicators must therefore be handled following the right criteria and in situations that are consistent with its intended use and scope; otherwise they may drive to confusing interpretations of data.

Handbook of Ecological Indicators for Assessment of Ecosystem Health

Handbook of Ecological Indicators for Assessment of Ecosystem Health PDF Author: Sven E. Jorgensen
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 9780203490181
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 472

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Book Description
The field of ecosystem health explores the interactions between natural systems, human health, and social organization. As decision makers require a sound, modular approach to environmental management and sustainable development, ecosystem health assessment indicators are increasingly used across any number of applications. The Handbook of Ecologic

Aquatic Food Webs

Aquatic Food Webs PDF Author: Andrea Belgrano
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 0198564821
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 274

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Book Description
'Aquatic Food Webs' provides a current synthesis of theoretical and empirical food web research. The textbook is suitable for graduate level students as well as professional researchers in community, ecosystem, and theoretical ecology, in aquatic ecology, and in conservation biology.

Sustainable Use and Development of Watersheds

Sustainable Use and Development of Watersheds PDF Author: I. Ethem Gönenç
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1402085583
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 521

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Book Description
John Wesley Powell, U.S. scientist and geographer, put it best when he said that a watershed is: ...that area of land, a bounded hydrologic system, within which all living things are inextricably linked by their common water course and where, as humans settled, simple logic demanded that they become part of a community. Watersheds come in all shapes and sizes. They cross sectorial boundaries (e.g. county, state/province, and country). No matter where you are, you are in a watershed! World-wide, watersheds supply drinking water, provide r- reation and respite, and sustain life. Watersheds are rich in natural capital, producing goods (agriculture and fisheries products) and services (industry and technology) for broad geographic areas. In many countries, at the base of watersheds where tributaries empty into large water-bodies (e.g. estuaries, seas, oceans) are centers of society and are typically densely populated areas. These areas serve as concentrated centers of the socio-economic system. They also are centers of domestic and international trade, tourism, and c- merce as well as the center of governments (capitals) where local, regional and national legislatures are located. As we all live in a watershed, our individual actions can directly affect it. The cumulative effects of all the individual actions of everyone within a watershed may be, and often are devastating to the quality of water resources and affect the health of living things including humans. Therefore, watershed systems are highly subject to threat to human security and peace.

Estuarine and Coastal Marine Waters

Estuarine and Coastal Marine Waters PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Ecological risk assessment
Languages : en
Pages : 304

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Book Description


Salinity Characteristics of Gulf of Mexico Estuaries

Salinity Characteristics of Gulf of Mexico Estuaries PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Estuaries
Languages : en
Pages : 210

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Book Description


Ecological indicators in coastal and estuarine environmental quality assessment: a user friendly guide for practitioners

Ecological indicators in coastal and estuarine environmental quality assessment: a user friendly guide for practitioners PDF Author: Fuensanta Salas
Publisher: Imprensa da Universidade de Coimbra / Coimbra University Press
ISBN: 9892603516
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 168

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Book Description
Experience demonstrates that none of the available measures regarding biological effects of pollution can be considered ideal, which is due to the complexity inherent in assessing the environmental quality of a system. In fact, it is always preferable to combine a suite of indices providing complementary information. This book aims at helping researchers and students, as well as managers and authorities of coastal areas in selecting the most suitable ecological indicators for each case, taking into account the type of disturbance they want to assess and the data available to do it. A user friendly guide is proposed, accounting different theoretical approaches and discussing the results of its application in different geographical areas. Recommendations are provided regarding the most adequate application of different indices, illustrating for instance in what situations their use is recommendable, or on the contrary not advisable, depending on the characteristics of the disturbance, the type of data, or the level of taxonomic identification of the organisms.

Estuarine Indicators

Estuarine Indicators PDF Author: Stephen A. Bortone
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 9780367393427
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 560

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Book Description
Acknowledging the present inability to determine objectively the status and trends among estuarine ecosystems, the environmental research community has recently stepped up efforts to develop and evaluate meaningful estuarine indicators. This goal requires the effort of researchers from a broad spectrum of disciplines. In order to expedite this initiative, many of the world's leading estuarine scientists came together to present their views at the 2003 Estuarine Indicators Workshop. Derived from this conference of leading estuarine scientists, Estuarine Indicators presents the principles, concepts, practical use, and application of indicators in estuarine research and management practices. Topics include: the theory behind environmental indicators and their presumed attributes; the methods and protocols of indicator development and evaluation; a presentation of effective and ineffective indicator examples; and discussions of the future directions in research and management practices. This is an ideal reference for researchers, scientists, and students from any field dealing with estuaries and estuarine ecosystems. Its introductory-level chapters are accessible to novices and seasoned experts alike, and the applications and interpretation of research data suit the needs of environmental managers. This is a truly multidisciplinary, comprehensive compendium upon which future research will undoubtedly be built.

Coastal Lagoons

Coastal Lagoons PDF Author: Michael J. Kennish
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1420088319
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 578

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Book Description
Written by an outstanding group of contributors, this book examines the function and structure of coastal lagoonal ecosystems and the natural and anthropogenic drivers of change that affect them, most notably nutrient over-enrichment from coastal watersheds and airsheds. The contributors target the susceptibility of coastal lagoons to eutrophication, the indicators of eutrophic conditions, the influences of natural factors such as major storms and other climate effects, and the resulting biotic and ecosystem impairments that have developed. The book compares biogeochemical and ecological response to nutrient enrichment and other pollutants in lagoonal estuaries to those in other estuarine types.

Treatise on Estuarine and Coastal Science

Treatise on Estuarine and Coastal Science PDF Author:
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0080878857
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 4604

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Book Description
The study of estuaries and coasts has seen enormous growth in recent years, since changes in these areas have a large effect on the food chain, as well as on the physics and chemistry of the ocean. As the coasts and river banks around the world become more densely populated, the pressure on these ecosystems intensifies, putting a new focus on environmental, socio-economic and policy issues. Written by a team of international expert scientists, under the guidance of Chief Editors Eric Wolanski and Donald McClusky, the Treatise on Estuarine and Coastal Science, Ten Volume Set examines topics in depth, and aims to provide a comprehensive scientific resource for all professionals and students in the area of estuarine and coastal science Most up-to-date reference for system-based coastal and estuarine science and management, from the inland watershed to the ocean shelf Chief editors have assembled a world-class team of volume editors and contributing authors Approach focuses on the physical, biological, chemistry, ecosystem, human, ecological and economics processes, to show how to best use multidisciplinary science to ensure earth's sustainability Provides a comprehensive scientific resource for all professionals and students in the area of estuarine and coastal science Features up-to-date chapters covering a full range of topics