Ecological Indicators for a Healthy Caloosahatchee 对于一个健康的Caloosahatchee生态指标.pptxVIP

Ecological Indicators for a Healthy Caloosahatchee Estuary Peter H. Doering, Ph.D. Section Administrator, Coastal Ecosystems South Florida Water Management District West Palm Beach Florida Caloosahatchee River Science Workshop Florida Gulf Coast University November 19, 2013 Outline What is an ecological indicator? Why use them? What constitutes a good indicator? What indicators are currently used in the Caloosahatchee? What is a Healthy Ecosystem? or “We all know one when we see one” The Iowa Great Lakes East Lake Okoboji West Lake Okoboji Ecosystem Health Ecosystem Health: The system’s ability to realize functions desired by society and maintain them over a long period of time. (Rombouts et al. 2013 Ecological Indicators 24: 353-365.) What is an Ecological Indicator? Indicators are quantitative representations of the forces that drive a system, of responses to forcing functions, or of previous, current or future states of a system. (Salas et al. 2006. Ocean and Coastal Management 49:308-331.) Air Pollution in the Northeast: Hazecam Network View from Cadillac Mountain Nov. 8, 1999 Aug. 25, 1999 Visual Range = 199 mi Visual Range= 30 mi Why Use Them? Ecosystems are complex and indicators can help describe them in simpler terms Indicators are used because it is impossible to measure everything all the time: it costs too much and takes too much time When they are used effectively, indicators are expected to reveal conditions and trends that help in management, planning and decision-making East Lake Okoboji Everglades Water Quality Trophic Status Metric Hydro-period Water Depth Prey Availability Indicator of Algae Blooms Roseate Spoonbills Chlorophyll a Number of Nests Indicators of Ecosystem Health Forcing Functions Nutrient Loading, Flushing, Food Web Hydrology (Climate, H2O Mgmt) An Indicator can be: A single species or parameter A group of species or community An aggregated measure or index FL Trophic State Index for