应用鱼类完整性评价体系评价辽河流域健康

根据2009年8月辽河流域33个站点采集的鱼类数据(参照点8个,观测点25个),通过参数指标值分布范围、相关关系和判别能力分析,从23个侯选指标中筛选出了辽河流域的鱼类完整性指数(F-IBI)构成指标体系。该体系包括鱼类总种类数、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、中上层鱼类百分比、底层鱼类百分比、鱼类个体总数、杂食性鱼类百分比、耐受性鱼类百分比、敏感性鱼类百分比和产粘性卵鱼类百分比共9个生物参数。分别采用1、3、5赋值法和比值法计算各站点的IBI分值,并根据参照点IBI分值的25%分位数值确定健康等级标准,对小于25%分位数值的分布范围进行3等分,提出了辽河流域河流鱼类完整性评价标准,分为健康、一般、差、较差4个等级。两种方法评价结果虽不完全相同,但趋势基本一致。Pearson相关分析表明IBI值与生境状况、水质状况、栖息地环境质量显著相关,其中与海拔、栖息地评分呈显著正相关,与CODCr、氯化物、总溶解颗粒物、含沙量、硬度、电导率呈显著负相关。     

An index of biotic integrity based on fish assemblages for subtropical streams in southern Brazil

Several methods for calculating indices of biological integrity (IBIs) have been developed for different ecogeographic regions of the world. All of them calculate IBI scores by comparing against reference sites or historical data on fish assemblage composition. Because of intensive agriculture and urbanization in our study area, we located no reference sites, and historical information about fish assemblage composition did not exist. Instead, we developed hypothetical reference scores based on seasonal electrofishing surveys at six study sites in adjacent but geomorphologically different watersheds. Our IBI included 10 metrics that varied with degree of degradation. We found that Shannon–Wiener indices varied significantly between seasons, indicating significant changes in species composition. Therefore, we calculated seasonal IBI scores also, but these did not significantly differ from each streams general IBI score, which was calculated on the basis of four samples per site. General stream IBI scores reflected differing levels of anthropogenic disturbance.     

Validation of a fish-based index of biotic integrity for streams and rivers of central Mexico

An existing version of a fish assemblage-basedindex of biotic integrity (IBI) for the streamsand rivers of west central Mexico was testedwith independent data to validate itsusefulness as a measure of ecosystem qualityand to determine the geographic area where itis effective. Fish assemblages from 63 uplandsites in 10 basins in central Mexico(Armería, Ameca, Coahuayana, Marabasco,Purificación, Grande de Morelia, Grande deSantiago, Lerma, Balsas and Pánuco) wereassessed using the metrics and scoring criteriafrom the existing IBI and then compared withindependent evaluations of habitat and waterquality. IBI scores were congruent withhabitat and water quality values in theArmería, Purificación and Marabascobasins, where the IBI was first developed, aswell as in the adjacent Ameca and Coahuayanabasins. We conclude that the IBI can be usedwithout modification to assess environmentalquality in non-coastal streams and riverswithin these five basins. Further data areneeded from the Grande de Morelia, Grande deSantiago and middle Lerma basins, but ourresults suggest that the existing IBI may alsobe effective here. However, the existing IBIdoes not consistently reflect habitat and waterquality conditions in the Balsas and Pánucobasins and must be modified before it can beapplied there. Necessary modifications in theBalsas basin appear to be small and relatedprimarily to changes in the scoring criteriafor metrics. However, in the Pánuco basinmore substantive changes in the nature of themetrics are required. Changes in the IBI forthese basins are proposed. The IBI is nowvalidated for use in river monitoring,conservation and restoration efforts in 5basins in west central Mexico and suggestionsfor its application in other basins areavailable here.     

Applying an index of biotic integrity based on fish assemblages in a West African river

A multivariate measure of river quality, the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI), was adapted to a West African river, the Konkoure (Republic of Guinea). Fish assemblages were sampled using gill-nets during the dry season to provide data for the IBI. Ten metrics were subsequently defined. The capacity of the modified IBI to assess the impact of a bauxite treatment plant was tested. The IBI decreased as expected at the impacted station. Detailed examination of the data revealed that one family, the Mormyridae, was almost eliminated from the impacted station, suggesting that members of this familiy can be considered as intolerant species in future uses of the IBI in other African rivers.     

A multi‐metric fish index to assess the environmental condition of estuaries

The development of a multi‐metric fish index, the Estuarine Fish Community Index (EFCI), for assessing estuarine environments is described. The index comprises 14 metrics or measures that represent four broad fish community attributes: species diversity and composition, species abundance, nursery function and trophic integrity. The individual metrics were evaluated using data that were collected on a South African estuary that was degraded and in which rehabilitation measures were implemented. The evaluation suggested that the selected metrics adequately measure the condition of separate but related components of estuarine fish communities and that these reflect environmental condition. Reference conditions and metric thresholds were derived from fish community data collected during an extensive national study. The final multi‐metric index was then constructed and evaluated. The EFCI combines both structural and functional attributes of estuarine fish communities and integrates these to provide both a robust and sensitive method for assessing the ecological condition of estuarine systems. It is also an effective communication tool for converting ecological information into an easily understood format for managers, policy makers and the general public.     

基于浮游植物生物完整性指数的湖泊生态系统评价——以2012年冬季太湖为例

依据2012年12月对太湖29个样点和同一地理区划4个湖、库的浮游植物和环境变量的监测结果,应用生物完整性理论和方法,构建冬季太湖浮游植物生物完整性指数,评价冬季太湖水生态健康质量。采用干扰程度最小系统法定义筛选确定参照点,对51个候选参数进行分布范围筛选、判别能力分析、参数间相关性分析,获得了太湖枯水期P-IBI指数的6个构成参数:总分类单元数、硅藻门分类单元%、细胞Simpson指数、细胞密度、硅藻门细胞密度%和绿藻门个体密度%。采用比值法统一各参数的量纲,累加后得到枯水期太湖P-IBI分值,并划分健康评价标准。应用P-IBI对冬季太湖水生态进行评价,8个参照点中1个点位评价结果为健康其余7个为亚健康;25个受损点中,2个点位为亚健康,9个点位为一般,12个点位为差,2个点位为极差。太湖总体受到了不同程度的人为干扰,东太湖湖区水生态状况最好,评价结果多为亚健康或一般;竺山湖、贡湖、东部沿岸和西部沿岸次之;南部沿岸和湖心区最差,湖心区有2个点位评价结果为极差。与冬季太湖P-IBI指数显著相关的水化学因子是氨氮和总磷含量。     

基于植被完整性指数的鄱阳湖湿地生态健康评价

基于鄱阳湖湿地30个采样点的植被调查数据,利用植被完整性指数法(V-IBI)评价鄱阳湖湿地生态健康状况。通过分布范围分析、判别能力分析和相关性分析,从35个候选生物参数中筛选出6个核心参数,利用比值法对核心参数赋值并累加求得各采样点V-IBI分值,以所有采样点95%分位数值为最佳期望值建立评价标准划分健康等级。结果显示:鄱阳湖湿地生态健康状况总体较好,30个采样点中6个为非常健康(V-IBI≥5.01),7个为健康(4.38≤V-IBI5.01),8个为一般(3.74≤V-IBI4.38),7个为差(3.10≤V-IBI3.74),2个为极差(V-IBI3.10),呈现出西部优于东部,北部优于南部的空间差异。V-IBI与景观发展强度指数(LDI)和栖息地环境质量评价指数(QHEI)呈显著相关性,表明V-IBI方法对鄱阳湖湿地生态健康状况评价结果合理有效,可作为鄱阳湖湿地生态监测的重要手段。     

Modification of an index of biotic integrity based on fish assemblages to characterize rivers of the Seine Basin,France

The Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) is a measure of fish assemblage health that has been used to assess catchment and stream quality throughout North America. It reflects human perturbations on natural environmental structures and processes. While preserving the ecological foundation of the original North American metrics, we have modified and adapted the IBI to the mainstem Seine River and its major tributaries in France. This successful modification of the IBI to a considerably different fish fauna on a different continent further supports its wider use outside the midwestern United States. Using data collected in 1967, 1981, and 1988–1989 from a total of 46 sites, we show spatial and temporal variation in the Seine as indicated by IBI scores. Statistically significant relationships were found between IBI and catchment area but insignificant relationships existed between IBI and an independent Water Quality Index (WQI) based on water chemistry. Comparisons between the IBI and the WQI indicate that the former is a more sensitive and robust measure of water body quality. Our results demonstrate that the IBI, combined with a statistically designed national monitoring program, would offer a reliable means of assessing spatial patterns and temporal trends in water body improvement or degradation in France. The more primitive fish families in the Basin were affected first by perturbations. These families include all the diadromous species found in the Seine and suggest serious disruption of their life histories.     

基于大型底栖无脊椎动物完整性指数的鄱阳湖湿地生态健康评价

湿地生态健康评价对于掌握湿地的健康状况、理解人类活动干扰对其影响及实施生态预警等有重要意义。鄱阳湖对于维持其流域甚至长江中下游的生态平衡十分重要,目前尚未建立起其较完善的生态健康评价指标体系。大型底栖无脊椎动物完整性指数(benthic macroinvertebrate-based index of biotic integrity, B-IBI)是广泛应用的湿地生态健康评价方法。基于30个采样点(7个参照点,23个受损点)的大型底栖无脊椎动物采样数据,构建鄱阳湖湿地的B-IBI指数,采用自然断点法划分非常健康、健康、一般、差和极差5个健康等级标准,据此评价湿地生态健康状况。研究表明:(1)基于B-IBI指数的鄱阳湖湿地生态健康评价结果为一般;(2)就采样点B-IBI分值而言,呈现出西部健康状况优于东部的格局,其中国家级自然保护区内状况较好,而工业区、城镇、农田及河流入湖口附近状况较差;(3)B-IBI指数与前期构建的景观发展强度指数(LDI)、栖息地环境质量指数(QHEI)以及植被完整性指数(V-IBI)具有显著相关性,表明基于不同指数的评价结果较为一致。本研究构建的B-IBI指数能为鄱阳湖湿地的生态健康评价和监测提供重要方法。     

基于大型底栖动物完整性指数的伊犁河健康评价及其对时间尺度变化的响应

大型底栖动物完整性指数（Benthic index of biotic integrity, B-IBI）是广泛应用的河流生态健康评价方法,然而从时间尺度（月份、年际变化）上评价B-IBI适用性的研究较少。有鉴于此,于2013-2015年期间,每年在5月、7月、8月和10月分别对新疆伊犁河大型底栖动物群落结构进行系统调查,并构建底栖动物完整性指数,评价河流水体的健康状况,同时评价其在时间尺度上的影响。非度量多维尺度分析（Non-metric multidimensional scaling, NMDS）显示,伊犁河不同月份的大型底栖动物群落结构相似度较高。通过对群落丰富度、种类个体相对丰度、功能摄食群、耐污能力、小生境质量和生物多样性指数等6个大类共计30个候选参数进行筛选,选取EPT（蜉蝣目、襀翅目、毛翅目）分类单元数、蜉蝣目个体相对丰度、耐污类群的个体相对丰度、生物指数（Biotic index, BI）以及黏附者个体相对丰度为伊犁河流域B-IBI健康评价体系的核心指标。B-IBI的评价等级为：B-IBI>3.38为健康,2.53-3.38为亚健康,1.69-2.53为一般,0.84-1.69为差,B-IBI值≤0.84为极差。结果显示,伊犁河8个典型样点中,6个采样点健康状况为健康或者亚健康,2个采样点为一般。总体上伊犁河健康状况较好,其中支流巩乃斯河和喀什河的健康状况要好于伊犁河干流和支流特克斯河。不同月份的B-IBI值无显著性差异（P>0.05）,表明伊犁河流域整体健康状况不受季节变化的重要影响。2013年与2015年B-IBI值差异显著（P<0.05）,伊犁河健康状况存在逐年变好的趋势,河流的生物健康评价需要开展长期的监测才能较全面的反映河流健康状况。参照点整体上的B-IBI值显著高于受损点的B-IBI值,表明B-IBI健康评价体系在伊犁河流域的良好适用性。该研究将从时间尺度上为基于B-IBI的河流健康评价方法提供理论参考。     

Development of a multimetric plant-based index of biotic integrity for assessing the ecological state of forested,urban and agricultural natural wetlands of Jimma Highlands,Ethiopia

Wetlands are vital natural resources thereby providing ecological and socio-economic benefits to the people. However, anthropogenic activities have seriously changed the ecological conditions of wetlands worldwide, especially in developing nations like Ethiopia. Predominantly, the absence of biomonitoring tool greatly hampers the protection and management of wetlands. Therefore, the objective of this research is to develop a plant-based index of biological integrity for facilitating the management of wetlands. Accordingly, 122 plant species belonging to 37 families were collected and identified from forested, urban and agricultural wetland types and included in the analysis of the plant metrics. Initially, we reviewed and screened 35 potential metrics. Then, we selected four core metrics (% cover of native species, sensitive plant species richness, tolerant plant species richness and% of shrub species richness) using the decrease or increase responses to human disturbances, Mann-Whitney U test and redundant metric test. A trisect-quartile range system using box plots of the reference or impaired sites of wetlands was established to provide values for each core metrics. Then after, we combined the core metrics to develop the plant-based index of biological integrity. Finally, we validated the index by comparing the index response to different wetland types. Additionally, the index was validated based on the measured environmental variables that characterize the human disturbance gradient of wetlands. We found that the plant-based index is robust to discriminate the reference wetlands from impaired wetlands and can also be used as an effective tool for evaluating the long term natural wetland conditions of the Eastern African wetlands in the future.     

应用鱼类完整性指数(FAII)评价长江口沿岸碎波带健康状况

基于2006年11月-2007年10月在长江口的13个站点的周年调查,探索了鱼类完整性指数（FAII）在河口水域鱼类栖息地环境评价中的应用。结果显示各站点FAII值介于0-46之间,表明碎波带健康状况全年处于一般到极差的水平。系统聚类（Hierarchical Cluster）将所有站点分为四组,第一组St.1,Sts.12-13;第二组为Sts.2- 3,St.5;第三组为St.6,St.11;第四组为St.4,Sts.7- 10。健康状况差的站点FAII值全年波动较大,由于夏季水温升高,部分站点出现大量的洄游性和海洋性种类,FAII值出现季节性的升高;其中河口外段的St.1,St.11-St.13的完整性等级分别在7月和8月达到一般水平。St.4,St.10因位于水源保护区外侧,St.9位于西沙湿地公园,受人为影响较小,这三个站点的FAII值相对比较稳定且在所有站位点中处于较高水平。FAII与Margalef丰富度指的周年变化有一定的相似性,但与Shannon-Wiener多样性指数的变化却有很大的差异。     

Application of an index of biological integrity (IBI) to fish assemblages of the rivers Khan and Kshipra (Madhya Pradesh), India

1. A multimetric index of fish assemblage integrity was developed and similarity analyses were conducted on fish species in two central Indian rivers and the effects of distance from municipal and industrial effluents on those indices then evaluated.
2. Five metrics from Karr et al . (1986 , Illinois Natural History Survey Special Publication 5 , Urbana, IL) were adopted: intolerant species richness, % omnivorous individuals, % top carnivore individuals, total number of individuals and % individuals with anomalies. Seven new metrics (native species richness, native family richness, benthic species richness, water column species richness, % non-native individuals, % tolerant individuals and % herbivorous individuals) were added.
3. Non-native individuals represented 1–55% of the assemblages at sampled sites which held fish.
4. Fish were present at eleven sites and not collected at two sites, despite heavy metal concentrations exceeding U.S. Environmental Protection Agency acute criteria at all sites.
5. Two types of metric scoring were examined. The traditional 5–3–1 method showed the same pattern as continuous scoring from 0 to 10, but produced a higher integrity class at one site.
6. Scores on our modified index of fish assemblage integrity increased with distance downstream from a major effluent source in each river. Jaccard similarity scores between the least disturbed downstream site and all other sites decreased with increasing distance and disturbance.
7. It was concluded that Karr's original index and its theoretical foundations are easily adaptable, even to an ichthyofauna containing no species, and only two families (Cyprinidae, Poeciliidae), in common with the midwestern United States.     

Development of a fish-based index (FBI) of biotic integrity for French lakes using the hindcasting approach

The European Water Framework Directive clearly indicates that fish is one of the “quality elements” to be considered for the assessment of lentic systems. However, few fish-based indices (FBIs) of biotic integrity have been developed for lakes so far.Hence, the aim of our study was to develop such a tool for French lakes. Fish surveys, lakes natural environmental parameters, catchment-scale anthropogenic pressures, and local pressures were collected for 67 reservoirs and 24 natural lakes throughout France. After assigning fish species into trophic, reproductive, and tolerance guilds, we derived a set of metrics reflecting complementary aspects of community functioning and condition. Other community-level traits such as richness and evenness were added. These metrics were modeled vs. natural environmental variables and pressures. Reference conditions at each site were then assessed using hindcasting modeling. Separate indices were eventually obtained for natural and artificial lakes by combining selected metrics. Fifteen out of 73 candidate fish metrics, covering all three groups of functional traits, displayed a significant response to anthropogenic pressures. After removal of the redundant traits, the final indices for natural lakes and reservoirs included three and six metrics, respectively. Agricultural-related impacts were prominent for reservoirs, whereas for natural lakes urban and local pressures displayed the most significant effects.     

长三角2000-2018年陆地生态系统完整性动态变化与驱动因素

生态系统完整性是维持生态服务功能和生态系统稳定的重要因素,已成为生态系统管理的目标和衡量生态系统价值的重要指标。我国尚未形成统一的陆地生态系统完整性评估体系和综合指数,基于耗散结构理论从生态系统结构、功能和弹性三方面遴选5个一级指标和6个二级指标,构建了一套适用于景观尺度,易于量化评估、动态监测的陆地生态系统完整性指标体系(terrestrial ecosystem integrity index,TEII);并以长三角区域为例,分析了2000-2018年陆地生态系统完整性动态变化及驱动力因素,结果表明:(1)长三角TEII均值整体呈下降趋势,19%的面积显著降低,15%的面积显著增加;(2) TEII显著降低区域呈两带两圈多点分布格局,显著增加区域主要分布在长三角西北部,在空间上聚集分布;(3)耕地转建设用地、草地转建设用地、林地转耕地和林地转建设用地为TEII下降的主要驱动力之一;(4) TEII与GDP呈显著负相关,人口总数与完整性在2000-2005年无显著相关性,2010-2018年呈显著负相关,且负相关紧密程度不断增加,说明长三角区域经济发展和人口增长对完整性形成了日趋严重的胁迫。     

Effects of coalbed natural gas development on fish assemblages in tributary streams of the Powder and Tongue rivers

1. Extraction of coalbed natural gas (CBNG) often results in disposal of large quantities of CBNG product water, which may affect aquatic ecosystems. We evaluated the effects of CBNG development on fish assemblages in tributary streams of the Powder and Tongue rivers. We used treatment and control, impact versus reference sites comparisons, surveys of CBNG product‐water streams and in situ fish survival approaches to determine if CBNG development affected fish assemblages. 2. Several of our results suggested that CBNG development did not affect fish assemblages. Species richness and index of biotic integrity (IBI) scores were similar in streams with and streams without CBNG development, and overall biotic integrity was not related to the number or density of CBNG wells. Fish occurred in one stream that was composed largely or entirely of CBNG product water. Sentinel fish survived in cages at treatment sites where no or few fish were captured, suggesting that factors such as lack of stream connectivity rather than water quality limited fish abundance at these sites. Fish species richness did not differ significantly from 1994 to 2006 in comparisons of CBNG‐developed and undeveloped streams. Biotic integrity declined from 1994 to 2006; however, declines occurred at both impact and reference sites, possibly because of long‐term drought. 3. Some evidence suggested that CBNG development negatively affected fish assemblages, or may do so over time. Specific conductivity was on average higher in treatment streams and was negatively related to biotic integrity. Four IBI species richness metrics were negatively correlated with the number or density of CBNG wells in the catchment above sampling sites. Bicarbonate, one of the primary ions in product water, was significantly higher in developed streams and may have limited abundance of longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae). Total dissolved solids, alkalinity, magnesium and sulphate were significantly higher in developed streams. 4. Biological monitoring conducted before the development of CBNG, and continuing through the life of development and reclamation, together with data on the quantity, quality and fate of CBNG product water will allow robust assessment of potential effects of future CBNG development worldwide.     

Regionally nested patterns of fish assemblages in floodplain lakes of the Magdalena river (Colombia)

We investigated if fish assemblages in neotropical floodplain lakes (cienagas) exhibit nestedness, and thus offer support to the managers of natural resources of the area for their decision making. The location was floodplain lakes of the middle section of the Magdalena river, Colombia. We applied the nested subset analysis for the series of 30 cienagas (27 connected to the main river and three isolated). All fish were identified taxonomically in the field and the matrix for presence-absence in all the lakes was used for the study of the pattern of nestedness. The most diverse order was Characiformes (20 species), followed by Siluriformes (19 species). Characidae and Loricaridae were the richest families. The species found in all the lakes studied were migratory species (17), and sedentary species (33). Two species (Caquetaia kraussii and Cyphocharax magdalenae) were widespread across the cienagas archipelago (100% of incidence). Nestedness analysis showed that the distribution of species over the spatial gradient studied (840 km) is significantly nested. The cienagas deemed the most hospitable were Simiti, El Llanito, and Canaletal. Roughly, 13 out of the 50 species caught show markedly idiosyncratic distributions. The resulting dataset showed a strong pattern of nestedness in the distribution of Magdalenese fishes, and differed significantly from random species assemblages. Out of all the measurements taken in the cienagas, only the size (area) and local richness are significantly related to the range of order of nested subset patterns (r=-0.59 and -0.90, respectively, at p < 0.01). Differential species extinction is suggested as the cause of a nested species assemblage, when the reorganized matrix of species occurring in habitat islands is correlated with the island area. Our results are consistent with this hypothesis.     

Shifts in the composition and distribution of Pacific Arctic larval fish assemblages in response to rapid ecosystem change

The Pacific Arctic marine ecosystem has undergone rapid changes in recent years due to ocean warming, sea ice loss, and increased northward transport of Pacific-origin waters into the Arctic. These climate-mediated changes have been linked to range shifts of juvenile and adult subarctic (boreal) and Arctic fish populations, though it is unclear whether distributional changes are also occurring during the early life stages. We analyzed larval fish abundance and distribution data sampled in late summer from 2010 to 2019 in two interconnected Pacific Arctic ecosystems: the northern Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea, to determine whether recent warming and loss of sea ice has restricted habitat for Arctic species and altered larval fish assemblage composition from Arctic- to boreal-associated taxa. Multivariate analyses revealed the presence of three distinct multi-species assemblages across all years: (1) a boreal assemblage dominated by yellowfin sole (Limanda aspera), capelin (Mallotus catervarius), and walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus); (2) an Arctic assemblage composed of Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) and other common Arctic species; and (3) a mixed assemblage composed of the dominant species from the other two assemblages. We found that the wind- and current-driven northward advection of warmer, subarctic waters and the unprecedented low-ice conditions observed in the northern Bering and Chukchi seas beginning in 2017 and persisting into 2018 and 2019 have precipitated community-wide shifts, with the boreal larval fish assemblage expanding northward and offshore and the Arctic assemblage retreating poleward. We conclude that Arctic warming is most significantly driving changes in abundance at the leading and trailing edges of the Chukchi Sea larval fish community as boreal species increase in abundance and Arctic species decline. Our analyses document how quickly larval fish assemblages respond to environmental change and reveal that the impacts of Arctic borealization on fish community composition spans multiple life stages over large spatial scales.     

Developing a multimetric index of ecological integrity based on macroinvertebrates of mountain ponds in central Italy

The lack of biological systems for the assessment of ecological quality specific to mountain ponds prevents the effective management of these natural resources. In this article we develop an index based on macroinvertebrates sensitive to the gradient of nutrient enrichment. With this aim, we sampled 31 ponds along a gradient of trophy and with similar geomorphological characteristics and watershed use in protected areas of the central Apennines. A bioassessment protocol was adopted to collect and process benthic samples and key-associated physical, chemical, and biological variables during the summer growth season of 1998. We collected 61 genera of macroinvertebrates belonging to 31 families. We calculated 31 macroinvertebrate metrics based on selected and total taxa richness, richness of some key groups, abundance, functional groups and tolerance to organic pollution. The gradient of trophy was quantified with summer concentrations of chlorophyll a. We followed a stepwise procedure to evaluate the effectiveness of a given metric for use in the multimetric index. Those were the pollution tolerance metric ASPT, three metrics based on taxonomic richness (the richness of macroinvertebrate genera, the richness of chironomid taxa, and the percentage of total richness composed by Ephemeroptera, Odonata, and Trichoptera), two metrics based on FFG attributes (richness of collector gatherer taxa and richness of scraper taxa) and the habit-based metric richness of burrowers. The 95th percentile of each metric distribution among all ponds was trisected for metric scoring. The final Pond Macroinvertebrate Integrity Index ranged from 7 to 35 and had a good correlation (R ² = 0.71) with the original gradient of environmental degradation. Guest editors: R. Céréghino, J. Biggs, B. Oertli & S. Declerck The ecology of European ponds: defining the characteristics of a neglected freshwater habitat