Organic matter breakdown and ecosystem metabolism: functional indicators for assessing river ecosystem health

Organic matter breakdown and ecosystem metabolism: functional indicators for assessing river ecosystem health

River health monitoring traditionally has made use of structural measurements (water quality or taxonomic composition of aquatic organisms). We argue that a more complete assessment of river health should include functional metrics, such as rates of organic matter decomposition and ecosystem metabolism. Leaf breakdown links the characteristics of riparian vegetation with the activity of both aq...

Ecosystem metabolism in a dryland river waterhole

Potential ecosystem indicators for th

1) Ecosystem indicators are a way of reducing ecosystem complexity into a form that is most informative and useful to management. As a means of turning data into information, indicators are ultimately a communication tool facilitating science-based governance, i.e. the sustainable use of WCPO tuna resources and the conservation of associated species. 2) One framework suggested for the developme...

3 Ecosystem Indicators

There are many types of indicators, including those of the physical environment (e.g., climate), ecological, and socio-economic conditions. There is an entire professional journal devoted to the topic, called Ecological Indicators. Within marine systems, the most recent focus has been on developing indicators for ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM). Significant recent literature on this...

Assessing Water Quality for Ecosystem Health of the Babai River in Royal Bardia National Park, Nepal

Water quality of the Babai River was assessed through surveying the aquatic invertebrate populations. Study was carried out at Royal Bardia National Park to observe the effect of irrigation dam on water quality through observing the aquatic benthic macro invertebrate’s composition and abundance. The Nepalese Biotic Score (NEPBIOS) method has been used for the biological water quality assessment...