A critique of ecosystem health concepts and indexes

摘要: Because people wish to preserve their health and do something equivalent for ecosystems, the metaphor of ecosystem springs mind. This paper presents argument that it is a mistake environmental scientists treat this as reality. First, fails because misrepresents both ecology science. Ecosystems are not organisms, so they behave like organisms have properties such health. Also, an operational concept physicians or risk assessors must predict, diagnose, specific states called diseases injuries; calculate indexes Second, attempts operationally define result in creation heterogeneous variables. Such no meaning; cannot be predicted, applicable most regulatory problems; diagnostic power; effects on one component eclipsed by responses other components; reason high low index value unknown. Their only virtue reduce complex array various disturbances number with reassuring name. A better alternative assess real arraymore » causes can diagnosed, future benefits treatments compared.« less