Development and evaluation of NatureServe’s multi-metric ecological integrity assessment method for wetland ecosystems

摘要: Abstract Many ecological monitoring and assessment programs include rapid methods that employ indicators or metrics to track the degree of divergence ecosystem condition from reference conditions. Although these use a combination rate overall condition, they rarely tests either merits component being assessed method aggregating into an rating. We used conceptual model integrity for wetlands field data select test 15 (using specific metrics) across spectrum major factors MEFs (landscape, buffer, vegetation, hydrology, soil). applied 220 wetland sites six states (Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, New Hampshire, Jersey, Washington), using two area (AA) approaches: 106 0.5 ha point-based AAs; 114 variable-sized polygon-based AAs. statistically tested metric ratings factor scores their discriminatory power (DP) in relation stressor index Kruskal-Wallis test, redundancy Spearman rank correlation scattergrams. Of metrics, 12 had good strong DP were not redundant. Across all only pairs (vegetation pair buffer pair) strongly correlated. The soil lowest DP, but it was among least redundant any metric. lower approaches than because AAs often included additional area. Aggregating individual MEF (e.g., soil), primary (Landscape Context, on-site Condition) ratings, maintained improved interpretability ratings. Our analyses support field-based spanning Landscape Context Condition, assess wetlands. here wetlands, models are also upland terrestrial ecosystems. findings confirm our providing intermediate level is efficient ecologically meaningful, within watersheds regions.