Quantifying and evaluating ecosystem health: a case study from Moreton Bay, Australia.

摘要: As part of the program monitoring ecosystem health Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia, we developed a means for assessing that allows quantitative evaluation and spatial representations assessments. The management objectives achieving were grouped into objectives, water quality human objectives. For first two groups, aspects (e.g., trophic status) identified, an indicator was chosen each aspect. Reference values derived from compared with mapped survey values. Subregions which statistic equal to or better than assigned reference value are referred as “compliant zones.” High-resolution surface maps created predictions on fine hexagonal grid indicators. Eight reporting subregions established based depth predicted residence times water. Within subregion, proportion compliant calculated. These results then averaged create integrated index. ratings by team experts calculated indices had good correspondence, providing assurance approach internally consistent, covered relevant biologic issues region. This method calculating mapping health, relating it directly may have widespread applicability assessment.