Macroalgal assemblages as indicators of the ecological status of marine coastal systems: A review

Ecological Indicators

L. Piazzi¹  R. D'Archino² 

[1] Dipartimento di Chimica e Farmacia, Università di Sassari, Via Piandanna 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy;National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd, Private Bag 14-901, Wellington 6021, New Zealand;

关键词: Canopy species;    Ecological indices;    Macroalgae;    Mapping;    Monitoring;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Macroalgae have been utilized as biological indicators of ecosystem health in many monitoring programs worldwide. These programs have utilized various methods to quantify macroalgal community structures. The aim of this study was to provide an overview of current progress by reviewing techniques and methods in both monitoring programs and impact evaluation studies that use macroalgal assemblage data. A total of 215 papers were selected and divided into four categories: macroalgal assemblage monitoring, macroalgal mapping, developing and employing ecological indices based on macroalgae, and developing and employing generic ecological indices including macroalgae. The number and goals of macroalgal monitoring programs are very different among geographical areas. In Europe, the recent European Union Directives led to the development of indices as tool to monitor the ecological quality of coastal systems. In other geographic regions, most studies focused on mapping the distribution of kelps or Fucales. This demonstrates the necessity to harmonize marine macroalgal monitoring, identifying common metrics and approaches in sampling design, field measurements, taxonomic resolution and data management, in order to develop standardized procedures which may allow data obtained to be compared.

【 授权许可】

Unknown