底栖硅藻应用于河流生态系统健康评价的研究进展

硅藻是水生态系统中最重要的初级生产者之一, 不仅为生态系统中其他消费者提供碳源, 也因分布广泛、种类多、世代时间短等特点, 通常被认为是水环境及生态系统良好的指示生物。文章介绍了河流生态系统健康及生物完整性的概念, 综述了硅藻尤其是底栖硅藻在水生态系统中的自身特点及作用; 概述了硅藻在生物监测中广泛应用的前提: 对环境因子的响应和国内外对硅藻及硅藻指数在河流生态监测中的研究进展; 介绍了广泛应用的硅藻指数及基于硅藻的生物完整性指数的原理及构建方法; 指出了硅藻及硅藻指数在生物监测及评价中可能所存在的问题, 并提出了今后我国在这个领域后期需开展的工作。

A REVIEW OF DIATOMS IN BIOMONITORING AND ECOSYSTEM HEALTH ASSESSMENT

Diatoms are one of the most important primary producers in aquatic ecosystems. Diatoms can provide carbon source for consumers in ecosystems. They are regarded as good indicators of environmental changes, due to their wide distribution, species abundance and short generation time. In this paper, we reviewed the vital role and characteristics of diatoms in aquatic ecosystems, especially in river ecosystems. We also described the responses of diatoms to environmental variables at individual, population, and community levels. The current status and prospects of diatoms (and the diatom index) in the monitoring and assessment of river ecosystem health were also discussed. We introduced the theory and history of the development of diatom indices in general, indices which are now used widely throughout the world, and particularly we discussed the diatom based index of biotic integrity (IBI) in terms of methods, principal and application. The problems associated with the application of diatom based IBI were pointed out.