Comparison of thermodynamic-oriented indicators and trait-based indices ability to track environmental changes: Response of benthic macroinvertebrates to management in a temperate estuary

摘要: Abstract Reliable ecosystem status assessment of coastal and marine environments is key due to mounting pressures from human activities. Aiming at a successful management, plethora evaluation tools currently exist, but there no consensus on what index or indices should be used by environmental managers in establishing benthic quality. The main goal this investigation was evaluate the suitability thermodynamic-oriented indicators (Eco-Exergy Specific Eco-Exergy) trait-based (Rao’s Quadratic Entropy, Functional Redundancy Community-Weighted Mean trait value) as capture potential ecological changes, comprehending their utility for addressing specific management objectives. In order do so, long-term data set (1993–2012) southern European estuary (Mondego estuary, Portugal) assess responsiveness macroinvertebrates assemblages large-scale intervention, performance compared. results indicated that undertaken efforts were improving state confirmed hydrodynamic conditions have been major drivers changes observed over last three decades. Both Exergy-based coherently reflected along temporal disturbance-recovery gradient analysed. Indices response congruent different nature detail level. Trait-based provided more detailed communities informative picture than overall outcome both types broadly convergent. Combining multiple thus likely improve transparency provide robust method.