Testing the performance of ecosystem indices for biodiversity monitoring

摘要: Abstract Understanding how biodiversity is changing a crucial step in mitigating our environmental impacts. Biodiversity indicators synthesise and communicate status trends biodiversity, including progress towards global targets. Despite their importance decision making, few have been tested for performance behaviour. Here, we the sensitivity, responsiveness complementarity of three indices synthesising collapse risk, spatial distribution health ecosystems (i.e., IUCN Red List Index Ecosystems, Ecosystem Area index, Health Index). We used stochastic coral reef ecosystem model to evaluate indices’ ability detect changes under various future scenarios. aimed to: i) test sensitivity detecting change low high threat; ii) examine at onset threat levels; iii) assess among values; iv) explore impact on sampling decisions, scale classification, ecological variables calculation, frequency reporting. Our study revealed that are sensitive, responsive offer complementary information ecosystems, although Ecosystems sometimes behaved counter-intuitively. The depended nature threats could be adversely affected by decisions made assessment process; careful variable selection process critical reliability change. results suggest 5-year intervals can reveal informative trends, suggesting current guidelines reassessment sufficient. one examples systematic evaluation indicator performance. findings will help improve understanding these as decision-support tools local contexts.