Development of a preliminary index of biotic integrity (IBI) based on fish assemblages to assess ecosystem condition in the lakes of central Mexico

The lakes of central Mexico have great cultural, economic, and biological value, but they are being degraded at an accelerating rate. We employed historical data on fish communities from 19 of these lakes and case studies of community responses to environmental degradation from four of the best-studied, Xochimilco, Cuitzeo, Chapala, and Pátzcuaro, to construct a preliminary index of biotic integrity (IBI). This IBI was designed to be an easily applied method for assessing lake ecosystem health and evaluating restoration efforts. The IBI had 10 metrics: number of total native species, number of common native species, number of native Goodeidae species, number of native Chirostoma species, number of native sensitive species, percent of biomass as tolerant species, percent of biomass as exotic species, percent of biomass as native carnivorous species, maximum standard length of native species, and percent of exotic invertebrate parasite species on or in native fishes. Initial applications of the index showed promise, accurately ranking the relative degradation of the four case-study lakes. Further tests of the index are warranted, and more data are needed to standardize sampling procedures, improve species classifications, and refine metric scoring criteria.     

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.     

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。     

A fish-based index of biotic integrity for upstream brooks in Flanders (Belgium)

From 1994 to 2000, 154 sites belonging to the grayling and trout zones were used to develop a fish-based multimetric Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) as a tool to assess upstream brooks in Flanders (Belgium). All sites had a slope of at least 3‰ and a maximum width of 4.5 m. Fish assemblages were surveyed by electrofishing. From 28 candidate metrics 9 metrics were selected using ecological criteria and statistical analyses. The IBI was defined as the average of these 9 metrics after scoring them as 1, 3 or 5 by a modified trisection method and five integrity classes were defined to comply with the European Water Framework Directive (WFD). The IBI was tested internally by comparison with habitat quality scores at sites. A similar comparison was done using an independent set of data from sites of known ecological quality. Our IBI clearly distinguished good sites from disturbed sites and heavily disturbed sites from moderately disturbed sites, thereby meeting the criteria imposed by the WFD.     

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。     

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.     

Assessment of an index of biological integrity (IBI) to quantify the quality of two tributaries of river Chenab,Sialkot, Pakistan

Nullah Aik and Nullah Palkhu, two tributaries of river Chenab, were investigated for the assessment of fish habitat degradation as indicator of stream health. Fish abundance data were collected from 18 sites from September 2004 to April 2006 to develop multimetric indices for fish assemblage integrity and to detect the intensity of habitat degradation. A total of 12 metrics were calculated on the basis of taxonomic richness, habitat preference, trophic guild, stress tolerance and origin of species to develop stepped and continuous index of biological integrity (IBI) criteria. Cluster analysis (CA) classified sites based on species composition into three groups, viz., reference, moderately impaired and impaired groups. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) was applied to identify underlying ecological gradient to highlight the habitat degradation. NMDS segregated two sites as less impaired, five sites as moderately impaired and eleven sites as impaired groups. Axes 1 and 2 explained a total variation of 53.3%. First axis explained the level of habitat impairment, whereas axis 2 indicated species richness along longitudinal gradient of streams. Sites located upstream of Nullah Aik showed higher IBI scores which dropped to its lowest in downstream sites near Sialkot city. Lowest values of IBI of sites in close proximity of city indicated the role of anthropogenic activities in catchment areas. The results indicated that variability in water chemistry can be related as a function of stream sites impairments (i.e., unimpaired, moderately impaired, and severely impaired). Water quality parameters showed strong correlation with IBI scores. Significantly negative correlation of IBI scores with COD, TDS, turbidity, Fe, Cr, Zn and positive correlation with DO and pH was found. The results can be used for restoration and future management of small streams passing through urban areas of Pakistan. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. Handling editor: J. A. Cambray     

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。     

基于B-IBI指数的温榆河生态健康评价

基于温榆河底栖动物和水质采样数据,采用底栖动物完整性指数(B-IBI)方法,进行温榆河生态健康评价,并探求河流水质与B-IBI指数的相关性。通过分布范围、判别能力以及相关性分析等,确定研究区B-IBI指标体系,包括总分类单元数、总生物量、优势分类单元个体相对丰度、敏感类群分类单元数、生物指数和粘附者个体丰度6个指标。根据参照点25%分位数确定温榆河底栖动物完整性评价标准,即B-IBI>1.821为健康,1.366—1.821为亚健康,0.910—1.366为一般,0.455—0.910为较差,0—0.455为极差。结果表明,温榆河27.3%河段处于健康状态,9.1%河段处于亚健康状态,13.6%河段处于一般状态,50%河段处于较差和极差状态。河流水质与B-IBI指数的相关系数为-0.549,表明生物指标作为水体评价的补充指标十分必要。     

Assessment of streams of the eastern United States using a periphyton index of biotic integrity

Benthic algae were collected from 272 eastern United States streams and rivers and analyzed for diatom species richness and dominance, the relative abundance of acidobiontic, eutraphentic, and motile diatoms, standing crops of chlorophyll and biomass, and alkaline phosphatase activity. These data were used to calculate a periphyton index of biotic integrity (PIBI), and values of the index were compared among reference, moderately impacted, and disturbed streams. The level of disturbance was based on stream chemistry, riparian disturbance, or a combined classification. Analyses of variance showed that PIBI was significantly higher in reference streams for all classifications. The PIBI and its metrics were correlated with many of the chemistry and habitat variables, and canonical correlation analysis revealed three significant environmental gradients which extracted 84% of the variance in the PIBI and its metrics. We used the mean 75th, 25th, and 5th percentile scores from the reference sites to set thresholds for excellent, good, fair, or poor condition. Applying these criteria to the cumulative distribution of total stream length in the region, we found that 4.3% of the stream length was in excellent condition; 20.8% in good condition; 56.4% in fair condition; and 18.5% in poor condition. The sensitivity of the PIBI and its component metrics to environmental stressors supports the use of this index for monitoring ecological conditions in streams in the eastern United States and as a tool to aid in diagnosing the causes of their impairment.     

Wetland habitat disturbance best predicts metrics of an amphibian index of biotic integrity

Regression and classification trees were used to identify the best predictors of the five component metrics of the Ohio Amphibian Index of Biotic Integrity (AmphIBI) in 54 wetlands in Ohio, USA. Of the 17 wetland- and surrounding landscape-scale variables considered, the best predictor for all AmphIBI metrics was habitat alteration and development within the wetland. The results were qualitatively similar to the best predictors for a wetland vegetation index of biotic integrity, suggesting that similar management practices (e.g., reducing or eliminating nutrient enrichment from agriculture, mowing, grazing, logging, and removing down woody debris) within the boundaries of the wetland can be applied to effectively increase the quality of wetland vegetation and amphibian communities.     

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。     

59 Utility of the periphyton index of biotic integrity (PIBI) as an indicator of acid mine drainage impacts in southeastern ohio

In the Appalachian region, numerous streams are polluted with acid mine drainage (AMD). These waters are sulfate-rich with elevated amounts of total acidity, low pH, and high levels of dissolved metals. Biotic multimetric indices, such as the Periphyton Index of Biotic Integrity (PIBI) have been employed to determine water quality across a variety of environmental conditions and may prove useful for AMD impacts. This study was initiated (1) to evaluate the PIBI for distinguishing AMD impact in streams and (2) to examine whether PIBI scores are impacted by seasonal differences. Twelve AMD and three reference streams were sampled for periphyton in June, August, and October. Water chemistry was collected at least once during the sampling period. Preliminary results showed that PIBI scores were significantly different (p<0.05) among the seasons. In addition, the seasonal trends in PIBI scores among streams were not consistent. The PIBI scores were correlated with six water chemistry variables in August and with at least one variable indicative of AMD in each season sampled. PCA and UPGMA analyses of water chemistry data grouped the streams into five categories: (1) moderately impacted AMD streams with lower total dissolved solids, sulfate, total aluminum, and alkalinity, and higher sulfate; (2) AMD streams with higher alkalinity and lower total aluminum; (3) AMD streams with lower alkalinity and higher total aluminum; (4) reference streams and (5) an outlier reference stream affected by nutrients. Relationships between the groups based on water chemistry and the groups derived from the PIBI will be discussed.     

浙江西苕溪土地利用变化对溪流大型底栖无脊椎动物完整性的影响

土地利用/覆被变化对溪流生态系统的影响是溪流生态学研究的热点.生物完整性是诊断溪流生物学状况和生态健康的重要指标.目的是研究西苕溪流域内土地利用类型对大型底栖无脊椎动物完整性(B-IBI)的影响.利用2003年西苕溪TM数据和DEM模型计算了62个样点上游3种空间尺度下(亚流域、沿岸和局部)的土地利用类型.结果表明,耕地,民居和竹园在流域中的百分比与B-IBI负相关,耕地百分比对B-IBI的影响在亚流域(r=-0.527,p<0.001),河岸(r=-0.665, p<0.001)和局部(r=-0.696, p<0.001)尺度上均显著.针叶林,阔叶林和混交林百分比与B-IBI正相关.阔叶林百分比在亚流域(r=0.333,p<0.001),河岸(r=0.589 ,p<0.001)和局部尺度(r=0.618,p<0.001)与B-IBI显著相关.而针叶林百分比仅在亚流域尺度(r=0.366,p<0.001)与B-IBI显著相关.在研究流域内耕地百分比小于50%的情况下,B-IBI并非随着耕地百分比的增长而线性下降,而是在达到一定阀值后(亚流域尺度,27%;河岸尺度,57%;局部尺度,59%)耕地的影响逐渐趋缓.在耕地百分比小于阀值前,B-IBI在局部尺度上与耕地百分比的增长的关系最强(r=-0.808, p<0.001, n=46).建议在沿岸区增加阔叶林,针叶林与混交林的占有率,或者建立耕地与溪流间的林地缓冲带,有助于保护和恢复西苕溪生态健康.     

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.     

Seasonal variations in food resource partitioning among four sympatric gudgeon species in the upper Yangtze River

Knowledge of food resource partitioning among sympatric fish species is crucial for understanding the potential mechanisms of species coexistence. Gudgeons (Teleostei: Cyprinidae: Gobioninae) often dominate fish assemblages in the upper Yangtze River. However, little research has been conducted on their trophic interactions. In this paper, seasonal diet and feeding strategy variations of four sympatric gudgeon species, Coreius guichenoti, Coreius heterodon, Rhinogobio ventralis, and Rhinogobio cylindricus, were investigated by analysis of intestinal tract contents, aiming to explore whether food resource partitioning occurred among them. Fish specimens were collected during spring (April–May) and autumn (August–October) in 2010 in Hejiang, a free‐flowing stretch of the upper Yangtze River. Coreius guichenoti, C. heterodon, and R. cylindricus showed omnivorous feeding habits, while R. ventralis exhibited an obligate carnivore feeding habit. Diet overlap among the four studied species was high, especially in spring. However, changes in feeding strategies were observed in autumn. Specifically, C. guichenoti and R. cylindricus expanded their dietary niche breadth and consumed detritus, Sinopotamidae or Hydropsychidae as important complementary food resources. In contrast, C. heterodon and R. ventralis reduced their dietary niche breadth and became more specialized on mussels (Limnoperna lacustris). These results confirmed that sympatric fish species can coexist with high diet overlap, and food resource partitioning among these species may also fluctuate with the seasons.     

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。     

长江源区生态系统完整性测量与评价

生态系统完整性概念正在逐步成为公共环境政策和决策的基础,许多区域生态系统管理的规划和政策都将生态系统完整性作为目标和原则.本文建立了长江源区多尺度生态系统框架,依照生态系统完整性的定义,发展了长江源区生态系统完整性评价的指标体系,对源区进行了生态系统完整性的测量和评价.根据完整性的评价结果,将长江源区划分为生态良好区、生态脆弱区和优先生态恢复区.     

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。     

基于地表土壤动物与植物完整性指数评估若尔盖沼泽湿地受扰现状

利用地表土壤动物与植物群落生物完整性指数评价若尔盖沼泽湿地受扰现状,为若尔盖沼泽湿地恢复提供依据。2018年7月与2019年7月对若尔盖10处典型湿地(参照区4个,受扰区6个)地表土壤动物与湿地植被群落进行调查。通过对74个候选指标的分布范围、判别能力及相关分析,确定中生性植物、一年生植物、龙胆科植物、一年生植物/多年生植物比4个植物核心指标,地表土壤动物总个体数量、中小型动物类群数量、蜘蛛目物种数量、菌食性土壤动物与腐食性土壤动物5个核心指标,构建若尔盖沼泽湿地地表土壤动物与植物完整性指数。以所有采样点95%分位数为最佳期望值,四分位法确定研究区域未受干扰、轻度干扰程度、中度干扰与重度干扰4个等级,作为判断若尔盖沼泽湿地受扰状况。结果显示,若尔盖沼泽湿地相对原始沼泽、花湖沼泽化草甸2、长期低强度排水疏干区、短期高强度排水疏干区分别处于未受干扰、轻度干扰、中度干扰与重度干扰状态。所调查的若尔盖典型湿地中,20%的湿地未受到干扰,30%的湿地受到轻度干扰,30%的湿地受到中度干扰,20%的湿地受到重度干扰。Pearson相关系数分析显示,地表土壤动物完整性指数与植物完整性指数存在显著正相...