What criteria should be used to select biodiversity indicators

摘要: The conservation of biodiversity is a major goal in nature conservation, but measuring the total site or region not possible; thus there great demand for indicators to represent biodiversity. To be able make use indicators, criteria must first established their selection, and degree which meet tested. However, purposes are applied—and sometimes themselves—differ between ecological science environmental policy. As transparency choosing testing suitable will optimize results an indicator, this article aims determine if common approaches selecting ecology Second, we asked were scientifically tested against suitability. answer these questions, analyzed papers on referenced Web Science. Our demonstrate different patterns fields application. In ecology, quality mainly determined by close relationship indicator indicandum (i.e., indicated phenomenon), while relevance given issue, e.g., reserve selection assessment certain impact, paramount importance Surprisingly, few empirically they purportedly chosen. We argue that due conceptualizations Since suitability remains untested many cases, our findings suggest room better research put solve problems, should correspond large extent with those used Further, assess it all relevant its selection.