Development of an estuarine multi-metric fish index and its application to Irish transitional waters

An estuarine multi-metric fish index (EMFI) was developed and applied to Irish transitional waters. The index comprised a balanced and complimentary set of 14 metrics that represent four fish community attributes: species diversity and composition, species abundance, estuarine utilisation, and trophic composition. Reference conditions and metric scoring thresholds were developed using a combination of historical records, best available data, and expert judgement. The index was applied using representative and robust fish monitoring data collected using a suite of methods designed to cover a range of habitats and conditions. To ensure consistency and comparability, all systems were considered at the whole estuary level. A sensitivity analysis was carried out to assess the response of the EMFI under various scenarios of metric change; five metrics were consistently among the most influential on the EMFI in all scenarios of metric manipulation. The overall EMFI was significantly correlated with environmental condition as measured by two separate indicators of ecological state. Ecological status classes were also established based on the relationship between the EMFI and an index of human pressure. The EMFI provides a robust, sensitive, and integrated measure of the ecological status of fishes in transitional waters and meets the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive.     

Do fish larvae have advantages over adults and other components for assessing estuarine ecological quality?

Using a novel approach to the assessment of ecological quality status of estuarine ecosystems, this study hypothesizes that compared to adult fishes and other components, the younger fish stages will be more sensitive and act as an early warning and will reflect more effectively the ecological status of estuaries. Larval stages of fishes were used to assess the ecological quality status (EQS) of four NW Portuguese estuaries, with different types and magnitudes of human pressures. The larval fish assemblages, together with water column characteristics and pollution indicators (faecal contamination and nutrient load) were sampled in the Lima, Cávado, Ave and Douro estuaries, during spring and autumn 2009. The four estuaries were classified in terms of human pressures by a global pressure index that identified the Cávado estuary as the least impacted estuary, followed by the Ave and Lima, both classified as moderately impacted system, while the Douro was classified as a highly impacted system. The Ave emerged as the most polluted system, carrying the highest nutrient load and sewage contamination. Larval fish assemblages included estuarine species, marine migrants, marine stragglers and the larger estuaries had higher species richness. Compared to adult fishes, three multimetric fish-based indices classified the Cávado, Ave and Douro estuaries with a lower ecological status when fish larvae were used. Similarly, the EQS assessed by macroinvertebrates were equal or higher when compared with fish larvae results. The EQS assessed by fish larvae was negatively correlated with sewage contamination and nitrogen nutrients, but did not reflect other anthropogenic pressures expressed by the global pressure index, which was only detected by adult fish. Fish larvae assessments were able to detect short-time events of hydrological manipulations observed in the Cávado estuary, as well as a seasonal decrease of water quality especially evident in the Ave estuary. The indices used denoted some limitations to the use of fish larvae data, thus emphasising the need for new indices to test the observed tendency for lower EQS given by fish larvae. The advantages and disadvantages of using fish larvae as more sensitive and accurate bioindicators of ecosystem integrity is also discussed as a means of providing strategically important information for improved estuarine management.     

A new species-time method for visual assessment of fishes and its comparison with established methods

Synopsis Relative abundances for 80 species in a fish assemblage were estimated using three visual assessment methods. Results of two species-time methods, the Rapid Visual Census (RVC) of Jones & Thompson (1978) and a new method, the Visual Fast Count (VFC), are compared to the traditional transect method. The VFC is similar to the RVC but it is an attempt to improve: on the quantitative nature of the results. Results from each method were significantly correlated, but important differences between methods were found. With an equal number of replicates both RVC and VFC methods yielded significantly more species than the transect method. Relative abundances estimated by the RVC were significantly different from those determined by either VFC or transect methods, but VFC and transect results were not different. A qualitative similarity index using presence-absence data was calculated and compared among methods. Values ranged from 84.3 to 85.9%, illustrating a consistent level of similarity for the faunas censused regardless of census method. Quantitative similarities (percent similarity), however, ranged from 45.8 to 85.7% and suggest a closer agreement between the transect and the VFC methods than between these methods and the RVC. If transect results are assumed to be the most accurate, the comparison suggests that the VFC method yields more accurate relative abundances than does the RVC. Ranges in percent similarity values calculated within each method (8 replicate samples) were used to compare precision among methods. While transect and RVC scores are slightly more precise (ranges of 3.10% and 2.20% respectively) than the VFC method (range = 4.89%), no method was statistically more precise than another (P<0.001).     

Development of a fish-based index to assess the eutrophication status of European lakes

The use of the CEN (European Committee for Standardization) standard method for sampling fish in lakes using multi-mesh gillnets allowed the collection of fish assemblages of 445 European lakes in 12 countries. The lakes were additionally characterised by environmental drivers and eutrophication proxies. Following a site-specific approach including a validation procedure, a fish index including two abundance metrics (catch per unit effort expressed as fish number and biomass) and one functional metric of composition (abundance of omnivorous fish) was developed. Correlated with the proxy of eutrophication, this index discriminates between heavily and moderately impacted lakes. Additional analyses on a subset of data from Nordic lakes revealed a stronger correlation between the new fish index and the pressure data. Despite an uneven geographical distribution of the lakes and certain shortcomings in the environmental and pressure data, the fish index proved to be useful for ecological status assessment of lakes applying standardised protocols and thus supports the development of national lake fish assessment tools in line with the European Water Framework Directive.     

Measuring fish body condition with or without parasites: does it matter?

A fish body condition index was calculated twice for each individual fish, including or excluding parasite mass from fish body mass, and index values were compared to test the effects of parasite mass on measurement of body condition. Potential correlations between parasite load and the two alternative fish condition index values were tested to assess how parasite mass may influence the perception of the actual effects of parasitism on fish body condition. Helminth parasite mass was estimated in common bully Gobiomorphus cotidianus from four New Zealand lakes and used to assess the biasing effects of parasite mass on body condition indices. Results showed that the inclusion or exclusion of parasite mass from fish body mass in index calculations significantly influenced correlation patterns between parasite load and fish body condition indices. When parasite mass was included, there was a positive correlation between parasite load and fish body condition, seemingly indicating that fish in better condition supported higher parasite loads. When parasite mass was excluded, there was no correlation between parasite load and fish body condition, i.e. there was no detectable effect of helminth parasites on fish condition or fish condition on parasite load. Fish body condition tended to be overestimated when parasite mass was not accounted for; results showed a positive correlation between relative parasite mass and the degree to which individual fish condition was overestimated. Regardless of the actual effects of helminth parasites on fish condition, parasite mass contained within a fish should be taken into account when estimating fish condition. Parasite tissues are not host tissues and should not be included in fish mass when calculating a body condition index, especially when looking at potential effects of helminth infections on fish condition.     

Biological assessment of European lakes: ecological rationale and human impacts

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Infection Characteristics of Clonorchis sinensis Metacercariae in Fish from Republic of Korea

The infection nature of Clonorchis sinensis metacercariae (CsMc) in freshwater fish hosts is closely related to the transmission of human clonorchiasis. This article reviewed the infection characteristics of CsMc in freshwater fish in the Republic of Korea (Korea). The status of CsMc infection was examined in a total of 17,792 cyprinid fish of 49 species in 9 water systems, which included Hantan-/Imjin-gang, Han-gang, Geum-gang, Mangyeong-gang, Yeongsan-gang, Tamjin-gang, Seomjin-gang, Nakdong-gang, and streams in the east coastal areas from 2010 to 2020. The infection status of CsMc was examined according to cyprinid fish species and water systems, after which analyzed by endemicity and susceptibility index. The high endemicity was shown in the cyprinid fish from 3 regions (6.1%) in the upper reaches of Nakdong-gang, such as Banbyeon-cheon (stream), Yongjeon-cheon, and Wi-cheon. The moderate levels were observed in fishes from 8 regions (16.3%), and low endemicity was shown in fishes from 20 regions (40.8%). No CsMc were detected in fish from 18 regions (36.7%). The susceptibility of CsMc in index fish, Puntungia herzi, was found to be a reliable index without examination of other fish species. CsMc infection rates were closely related to subfamily groups in the cyprinid fish hosts in a highly endemic area. In Korea, a total of 58 fish species in 10 families has been listed as the second intermediate hosts for C. sinensis. This review provides several novel features of CsMc infection and clarifies the species of second intermediate freshwater fish host in Korea.     

Scene-segmentation algorithm development using error measures

Development of scene-segmentation algorithms has generally been an ad hoc process. This paper presents a systematic technique for developing these algorithms using error-measure minimization. If scene segmentation is regarded as a problem of pixel classification whereby each pixel of a scene is assigned to a particular object class, development of a scene-segmentation algorithm becomes primarily a process of feature selection. In this study, four methods of feature selection were used to develop segmentation techniques for cervical cytology images: (1) random selection, (2) manual selection (best features in the subjective judgment of the investigator), (3) eigenvector selection (ranking features according to the largest contribution to each eigenvector of the feature covariance matrix) and (4) selection using the scene-segmentation error measure A2. Four features were selected by each method from a universe of 35 features consisting of gray level, color, texture and special pixel neighborhood features in 40 cervical cytology images . Evaluation of the results was done with a composite of the scene-segmentation error measure A2, which depends on the percentage of scenes with measurable error, the agreement of pixel class proportions, the agreement of number of objects for each pixel class and the distance of each misclassified pixel to the nearest pixel of the misclassified class. Results indicate that random and eigenvector feature selection were the poorest methods, manual feature selection somewhat better and error-measure feature selection best. The error-measure feature selection method provides a useful, systematic method of developing and evaluating scene-segmentation algorithms.     

Using lichen biomonitoring to assess environmental justice at a neighbourhood level in an industrial area of Northern France

Environmental inequalities are based on the proximity of socio-economically disadvantaged populations to sources of environmental and public health risks, and have recently been extended to environmental contamination. We evaluated such inequalities using a novel approach, at the scale of neighbourhoods in the industrial area of Dunkerque, France, by associating an index of social disadvantage with environmental biomonitoring measurements.A Localised Disadvantage Index (LDI), which characterises the socio-economic status of populations at a neighbourhood level, was developed using an eco-sociological approach. The burdens of 18 trace elements (TE) were recently determined using samples of epiphytic lichens, collected within the study zone. A mean value of TE burden was modelled for each neighbourhood and an integrated index (Mean Impregnation Ratio, MIR) was generated to assess the level of multi-metallic contamination.LDI mapping reveals socio-economic disparities. The neighbourhoods situated near to factories are the most disadvantaged. Environmental maps reveal high contaminations in the vicinity of the industrial zones. The LDI is significantly correlated with the MIR, and with 16 of 18 TE. Significant differences in the level of contamination are observed between high- and low-deprived neighbourhoods.Our results uncover the presence of environmental inequalities. The most disadvantaged populations live in a strongly contaminated environment. We have pioneered the use of biomonitoring data and an integrated index of contamination for the prospection of environmental inequalities.     

Macrozoobenthos communities and biocoenotic assessment of ecological status in relation to degree of human impact in small streams in southwest Germany

One of the major objectives of the VALIMAR project is to determine the ecological significance of various fish biomarker studies as indicators of chronic pollution in small streams in southwest Germany. Results of these fish biomarker investigations were compared to information from complementary studies on the meiobenthos, macrobenthos, and fish community studies to assess the ecological significance of these biomarker investigations. The main objective of this study was to provide biological assessments of the biomarker sites on the basis of the macrozoobenthos communities. Since no validated framework for the assessment of the biological integrity existed in Germany, two multimetric approaches were adapted to the whole stream system by investigating benthos and fish communities of 46 sites of varying degrees of human disturbance. Assessment of the communities was conducted in accordance with the European Community Water Framework Directive. Species distribution of benthos depended upon stream type and pollution status of streams. Biological attributes and bioindices of benthos communities, however, did not correlate with typological parameters like stream size or dominant substrate but correlated better with pollution parameters like conductivity or chloride concentration. Using a set of 18 measures, such as portion of sessile individuals, Rheoindex, oxygen availability index, and portion of pool dwellers, the benthos communities were characterized and evaluated. The composition of the fish communities was mainly determined by stream type, pollution and migration barriers. The influence of chemical parameters could be assessed by developing a“fish chemistry index”, which calculatesthe similarity of the present fish community with the potential natural community, but excludes those species strongly effected by deficits in stream channel morphology. Both fish chemistry index and benthic indices strongly correlated with pollution index parameters, clearly distinguishing between the more polluted Körsch sites and the less pollutedKrähenbach and Aich sites. Most of the single bioindices as well as overall assessment by multimetric indices indicated a gradient of decreasing quality from the reference stream Krähenbach to theslightly polluted Aich and Körsch upstream site (KE, upstream of all sewage treatment plants) and finally to the most polluted Körsch site directlybelow the most upstream sewage treatment plant (KD). According to the Water Framework Directive, the classification of ecological status of the benthos communities ranges from “high” (best of 5 classes) forthe reference stream to “bad” (5th class) for KD. Assessment of the fish community tends to score somewhat worse than the benthos due to deficits in morphological quality of the stream reaches. The benthos assessment and the newlydeveloped “fish chemistry index” correlated well with chemical water quality and hence with biomarkers, whereas ecological status of fish and overall ecological status was also influenced by river morphology. In conclusion all tested assessment methods on biocoenotic level are reliable indicators for the degree of human disturbance on small streams, whereas biomarkers are more suited for risk assessment and the investigation ofcause-effect-relationships.     

Changes in the electrokinetic properties of human cell nuclei during reflexotherapy

The effect of acupuncture and microwave resonance therapy (MRT) on the electrophoretic motility of the cell nuclei of buccal epithelium was studied using the electronegative nuclei index in percent (ENN index, %) during treatment of patients with a duodenal ulcer and spinal osteochondrosis. This method was developed in Kharkov State University under the direction of Prof. V.G. Shakhbazov. A special device and a chamber were used to provide the intracellular microelectrophoresis of native cell nuclei. The tested methods of reflexotherapy had the normalizing effect on the ENN index, %. Acupuncture and MRT similarly affect the human organism in terms of the tested index. These findings confirmed a direct relationship between the human health status and ENN index, % which was determined by us earlier. This method makes it possible to provide the additional monitoring of the patient’s health status.     

人上臂加压时的脉波分析

将与动脉脉波测定装置相连的袖带,缠绕于上臂,借助袖带充气给袖带部位的动脉加压。当袖带内压从收缩压水平缓缓下降时,可以记录到一系列逐渐变化着的动脉脉波,与以前在动物动脉外直接描记到的脉波群相似。用“脉波分析法”可以获得袖带部位的收缩压和舒张压值。与柯氏音法比较,在105次体力负荷前后的12名健康人测定中,收缩压与舒张压的相关系数分别为0.98和0.97。分析“0 波”,尚可获得容积变化的信息,并能测得同时发生的压力变化值。进而可将此两值代入动脉顺应指数(I_C)式。20名正常人87次测定的I_C值,远高于20名高血压患者 78次测定的结果(P<0.001)。I_C值的降低与眼底动脉硬化的程度有关。此方法具有简易、无创伤的优点。     

森林生态系统损害评估体系与管理制度研究

生态环境损害事件会破坏或者损害动植物生境与生态系统平衡,乃至对我国生态安全造成威胁。然而目前针对森林生态系统损害鉴定评估工作存在评估体系不完善、定量化评估方法不足、损害赔偿管理制度不健全等问题,且缺乏对人类活动与森林生态系统相互作用的整体受损情况进行剖析。基于此,综合考量人类活动与森林生态系统状况的受损范畴与界限,剔除其中交叉重复的内容,遵循科学性、系统性、可比性、可操作性等4项原则,构建了森林生态系统损害评估指标体系。该体系基于受损对象,涉及了人身安全损害、人类活动损害、森林生态系统功能损害和其他损害共计4项一级指标,包括身体损害、精神损害、经济林果品损失、林副产品损失、加工制造业损失、森林旅游损失、科研文史损失、土壤保持损失、水源涵养损失、防风固沙损失、固碳释氧损失、大气净化损失、应急处理费、调查评估费共14项二级指标,以及22项三级指标,并运用市场价值法、替代成本法、影子工程法、恢复成本法等方法明确了各项指标的价值量化方法。文章还从林业技术部门和司法行政部门两个方面,对森林生态系统损害管理制度进行了探讨。林业技术部门管理制度主要分为事前预防、事中响应和事后评估,包括安全规划、风险控制、损害溯源、应急救援措施、技术方案与修复标准制定等;司法行政部门管理制度主要分为监督管理、立法管理和社会机制,包括名册记录（编制）、违法违规追责、赔偿制度完善、森林损害基金和公众参与办法的建立等。旨在为森林生态系统损害评估技术的定量化、标准化,以及管理制度的健全化提供参考依据。     

A fish-based index of estuarine ecological quality incorporating information from both scientific fish survey and experts knowledge

In the Water Framework Directive (European Union) context, a multimetric fish based index is required to assess the ecological status of French estuarine water bodies. A first indicator called ELFI was developed, however similarly to most indicators, the method to combine the core metrics was rather subjective and this indicator does not provide uncertainty assessment. Recently, a Bayesian method to build indicators was developed and appeared relevant to select metrics sensitive to global anthropogenic pressure, to combine them objectively in an index and to provide a measure of uncertainty around the diagnostic. Moreover, the Bayesian framework is especially well adapted to integrate knowledge and information not included in surveys data. In this context, the present study used this Bayesian method to build a multimetric fish based index of ecological quality accounting for experts knowledge. The first step consisted in elaborating a questionnaire to collect assessments from different experts then in building relevant priors to summarize those assessments for each water body. Then, these priors were combined with surveys data in the index to complement the diagnosis of quality. Finally, a comparison between diagnoses using only fish data and using both information sources underlined experts knowledge contribution. Regarding the results, 68% of the diagnosis matched demonstrating that including experts knowledge thanks to the Bayesian framework confirmed or slightly modified the diagnosis provided by survey data but influenced uncertainty around the diagnostic and appeared especially relevant in terms of risk management.     

基于RS和GIS的北京市景观生态安全评价

结合RS、GIS和景观生态学方法,基于景观结构、功能、活力、生态敏感性和景观压力构建了景观生态安全评价指标体系,并分析1988和2004年北京市景观生态安全程度及其时空分布规律.结果表明：1988-2004年,北京市生态服务价值处于较高水平,景观活力和景观压力处于较低水平,景观结构稳定性下降,生态敏感度则处于较低水平;1988和2004年北京市景观生态安全度均处于中级水平,其景观生态安全指数平均值分别为0.410和0.403,表明研究期间北京市景观生态安全整体水平呈稳中稍降的趋势.     

On the Agreement between Manual and Automated Methods for Single-Trial Detection and Estimation of Features from Event-Related Potentials

The agreement between humans and algorithms on whether an event-related potential (ERP) is present or not and the level of variation in the estimated values of its relevant features are largely unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the categorical and quantitative agreement between manual and automated methods for single-trial detection and estimation of ERP features. To this end, ERPs were elicited in sixteen healthy volunteers using electrical stimulation at graded intensities below and above the nociceptive withdrawal reflex threshold. Presence/absence of an ERP peak (categorical outcome) and its amplitude and latency (quantitative outcome) in each single-trial were evaluated independently by two human observers and two automated algorithms taken from existing literature. Categorical agreement was assessed using percentage positive and negative agreement and Cohen’s κ, whereas quantitative agreement was evaluated using Bland-Altman analysis and the coefficient of variation. Typical values for the categorical agreement between manual and automated methods were derived, as well as reference values for the average and maximum differences that can be expected if one method is used instead of the others. Results showed that the human observers presented the highest categorical and quantitative agreement, and there were significantly large differences between detection and estimation of quantitative features among methods. In conclusion, substantial care should be taken in the selection of the detection/estimation approach, since factors like stimulation intensity and expected number of trials with/without response can play a significant role in the outcome of a study.     

Measuring social structure: a comparison of eight dominance indices

Measurement of social status is an important component of many behavioural studies. A variety of techniques have been developed and adopted, but while there have been some analyses of index properties using simulated data, the rationale for selecting a method remains poorly documented. As a first step in exploring the implications of index choice, we compared the characteristics of eight popular indices by applying each to the same data set from interactions between male fowl Gallus gallus, the system in which social hierarchies were first described. Data from eight social groups, observed over four successive breeding seasons, were analysed to determine whether different indices produced consistent dominance scores. These scores were then used in tests of the relation between social status and crowing to explore whether index choice affected the results obtained. We also examined the pattern of dominance index use over the last decade to infer whether this has likely been influenced by tradition, or by taxa of study animal. Overall agreement among methods was good when groups of birds had perfectly linear hierarchies, but results diverged when social structure was more complex, with either intransitive triads or reversals. While all regression analyses revealed a positive relationship between dominance and vocal behaviour, there were substantial differences in the amount of variance accounted for, even though the original data were identical in every case. Index selection can hence perturb estimates of the importance of dominance, relative to other factors. We also found that several methods have been adopted only by particular research teams, while the use of others has been taxonomically constrained, patterns implying that indices have not always been chosen solely upon their merits. Taken together, our results read as a cautionary tale. We suggest that selection of a dominance index requires careful consideration both of algorithm properties and of the factors affecting social status in the system of interest.     

Annual cycles of growth and reproduction in hatchery–reared Florida largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides floridanus, raised on forage or pelleted diets

Annual cycles of growth and reproduction of hatchery–reared Florida largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides floridanus , were investigated. Animals were raised on either forage (goldfish, Carassius auratus ) or a pelleted salmon feed. Male and female year–class 1 largemouth bass were sampled throughout one complete yearly cycle (January–December). A biphasic growth cycle was observed in both forage–fed and pellet–fed fish. No increase in body length or weight was observed until approximately midway through the spawning period (May), after which fish grew at a consistent rate for the remainder of the study. The reproductive cycle of forage–fed fish was characterized by a rapid increase in gonadosomatic index (GS1) between January and April, followed by a prolonged spawning period (April–July) during which GSI progressively declined. Fully regressed gonads were observed in September and October, and a resumption of gonadal recrudescence was observed between October and December. Visceral adipose deposits (expressed as mesenteric fat index; MFI) were resorbed during gonadal growth and the initial stages of the spawning period, and restored during the post–spawning phase. Fish raised on pelleted feed had growth and reproductive cycles that parallelled those of forage–fed fish, but several significant differences were observed between the two diet groups. During the growth phase of the cycle, pellet–fed largemouth bass grew significantly faster than forage–fed largemouth bass, and had significantly larger MFIs than forage–fed largemouth bass at all times of the year. Pellet–fed fish also had significantly larger GSIs than forage–fed fish. These data indicate that diet composition may be an important determinant of growth and reproductive function in this species.     

A formalization of consensus index methods

A consensus in dex method comprises a consensus method and a consensus index that are defined on a common set of objects (e.g. classifications). For each profile of objects, the consensus method returns a consensus object representing information or structure shared among profile objects, while the consensus index returns a quantitative measure of agreement among profile objects. Since the relationship between consensus method and consensus index is poorly understood, we propose simple axioms prescribing it in the most general terms. Many taxonomic consensus index methods violate these axioms because their consensus indices measure consensus object invariants rather than profile agreement. We propose paradigms to obtain consensus index methods that measure agreement and satisfy the axioms. These paradigms salvage concepts underlying consensus index methods violating the axioms. This work was supported in part by the Faculty of Science at Memorial University of Newfoundland, and by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Under Grant A-4142.     

Intertidal seagrass in Ireland: Pressures,WFD status and an assessment of trace element contamination in intertidal habitats using Zostera noltei

Intertidal seagrass has been selected as a Biological Quality Element for the assessment of ecological status under the Water Framework Directive. In Ireland, two species of seagrass, Zostera marina and Z. noltei occur in intertidal habitats. This study presents the first comprehensive assessment of the distribution and Water Framework Directive status of intertidal seagrass in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Most of the areas assessed, using the Water Framework Directive-compliant assessment tool, have a status of HIGH or GOOD. Only two areas were found to have a status less than GOOD and in both, the cause for the decline was smothering by opportunistic foliose green macroalgae. Linear regression showed a relationship between pressure index scores and Ecological Quality Ratio, showing the relevance of the index as a metric of anthropogenic pressure. Trace element concentrations were examined in Z. noltei tissues and Trace Element Pollution Index values were calculated. The relationship between Trace Element contamination and Water Framework Directive status was examined but the results showed little correlation. However, a relationship between the pressure index and trace element contamination was obtained. This assessment provides the most comprehensive overview of intertidal seagrass beds in Ireland and establishes a strong baseline for ongoing monitoring and assessment under the Water Framework Directive. The data provide key information on the pressures affecting these valuable habitats which will assist in the development of measures to improve and protect our transitional and coastal waters.