An estuarine benthic index of biotic integrity for the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. II. Index development

摘要: A benthic index of biotic integrity was developed for use in estuaries the mid-Atlantic region United States (Delaware Bay estuary through Albemarle-Pamlico Sound). The Mid-Atlantic Integrated Assessment Program (MAIA) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency using procedures similar to those applied previously Chesapeake and southeastern estuaries, based on sampling July early October. Data from seven federal state programs were used categorize sites as degraded or non-degraded dissolved oxygen, sediment contaminant, toxicity criteria. Various metrics community structure function that distinguished between reference (non-degraded) selected each five major habitat types defined by classification analysis assemblages. Each metric scored according thresh- olds established distribution values at sites, so with low scoring would be expected show signs degradation. For habitat, correctly classified least 50% calibration data set whenever possible derive index. final integrated average score combination performed best several Selected included measures productivity (abundance), diversity (number taxa, Shannon-Wiener diversity, percent dominance), species composition life history (percent abundance pollution-indicative pollution-sensitive Bivalvia, Tanypodinae-Chironomidae ratio), trophic deep-deposit feeders). 82% all an independent set. Classification efficiencies higher mesohaline polyhaline habitats (81-92%) than oligohaline (71%) tidal freshwater (61%). Although application salinity should done caution, MAIA appeared quite reliable a high likelihood identifying both conditions. is great utility regional assessments tool evaluating assemblages tracking their condition over time.