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You searched for: Journal Ecological indicators Remove constraint Journal: Ecological indicators Publication Year 2015 Remove constraint Publication Year: 2015 Source 2015 v.52 Remove constraint Source: 2015 v.52
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1. A comparative assessment of support vector regression, artificial neural networks, and random forests for predicting and mapping soil organic carbon stocks across an Afromontane landscape

Author:
Were, Kennedy; Bui, Dieu Tien; Dick, Øystein B.; Singh, Bal Ram
Source:
Ecological indicators 2015 v.52 pp. 394-403
ISSN:
1470-160X
Subject:
carbon sinks; climate change; environmental health; forest reserves; landscapes; neural networks; nitrogen content; prediction; regression analysis; remote sensing; soil organic carbon; soil properties; soil sampling; soil surveys; topography; Kenya
Abstract:
... Soil organic carbon (SOC) is a key indicator of ecosystem health, with a great potential to affect climate change. This study aimed to develop, evaluate, and compare the performance of support vector regression (SVR), artificial neural network (ANN), and random forest (RF) models in predicting and mapping SOC stocks in the Eastern Mau Forest Reserve, Kenya. Auxiliary data, including soil sampling, ...
DOI:
10.1016/j.ecolind.2014.12.028

2. A framework to assess the health of rocky reefs linking geomorphology, community assemblage, and fish biomass

Author:
Aburto-Oropeza, Octavio; Ezcurra, Exequiel; Moxley, Jerry; Sánchez-Rodríguez, Alexandra; Mascareñas-Osorio, Ismael; Sánchez-Ortiz, Carlos; Erisman, Brad; Ricketts, Taylor
Source:
Ecological indicators 2015 v.52 pp. 353-361
ISSN:
1470-160X
Subject:
Asteroidea; Echinoidea; biomass; community structure; correlation; fish; macroinvertebrates; marine ecosystems; piscivores; reefs; trophic levels; Gulf of California; Mexico
Abstract:
... The recovery of historic community assemblages on reefs is a primary objective for the management of marine ecosystems. Working under the overall hypothesis that, as fishing pressure increases, the abundance in upper trophic levels decreases followed by intermediate levels, we develop an index that characterizes the comparative health of rocky reefs. Using underwater visual transects to sample roc ...
DOI:
10.1016/j.ecolind.2014.12.006

3. A hitchhiker's guide to European lake ecological assessment and intercalibration

Author:
Poikane, Sandra; Birk, Sebastian; Böhmer, Jürgen; Carvalho, Laurence; de Hoyos, Caridad; Gassner, Hubert; Hellsten, Seppo; Kelly, Martyn; Lyche Solheim, Anne; Olin, Mikko; Pall, Karin; Phillips, Geoff; Portielje, Rob; Ritterbusch, David; Sandin, Leonard; Schartau, Ann-Kristin; Solimini, Angelo G.; van den Berg, Marcel; Wolfram, Georg; van de Bund, Wouter
Source:
Ecological indicators 2015 v.52 pp. 533-544
ISSN:
1470-160X
Subject:
benthic organisms; biological assessment; freshwater; lakes; laws and regulations; macrophytes; phytoplankton; watersheds; Europe
Abstract:
... The Water Framework Directive is the first international legislation to require European countries to establish comparable ecological assessment schemes for their freshwaters. A key element in harmonising quality classification within and between Europe's river basins is an “Intercalibration” exercise, stipulated by the WFD, to ensure that the good status boundaries in all of the biological assess ...
DOI:
10.1016/j.ecolind.2015.01.005

4. A management approach for the ecological integrity of NE Atlantic estuaries

Author:
Ondiviela, Bárbara; Recio, María; Juanes, José A.
Source:
Ecological indicators 2015 v.52 pp. 105-115
ISSN:
1470-160X
Subject:
anthropogenic activities; biogeography; ecosystems; environmental impact; estuaries; humans; hydrology; land restoration; models; Bay of Biscay
Abstract:
... A method to evaluate the ecological integrity of estuaries at a biogeographical scale is presented. Based on a conceptualisation which systematically establishes how human uses and stressors affect ecosystem functioning, the method allows for regional evaluations of the effect produced by human impacts on the ecological integrity. Comparisons across nine medium size estuaries (Bay of Biscay) showe ...
DOI:
10.1016/j.ecolind.2014.12.003

5. An evaluation framework based on sustainability-related indicators for the comparison of conceptual approaches for ecological networks

Author:
Théau, Jérôme; Bernier, Amélie; Fournier, Richard A.
Source:
Ecological indicators 2015 v.52 pp. 444-457
ISSN:
1470-160X
Subject:
biodiversity; ecological value; environmental sustainability; habitats; humans; land use; landscape management; landscapes; models; rivers; stakeholders; uncertainty; watersheds; Quebec
Abstract:
... Ecological networks (EN) are designed to maintain biodiversity and ecological processes by protecting habitats and their linkages. By considering the functional role of the landscape, EN can support the integration of ecological sustainability with human activities. Although all EN share the same general objectives, there are many different approaches for determining the spatial configuration of t ...
DOI:
10.1016/j.ecolind.2014.12.029

6. A null model test of Floristic Quality Assessment: Are plant species’ Coefficients of Conservatism valid?

Author:
Matthews, Jeffrey W.; Spyreas, Greg; Long, Colleen M.
Source:
Ecological indicators 2015 v.52 pp. 1-7
ISSN:
1470-160X
Subject:
botanists; forests; habitats; herbs; indigenous species; introduced species; perennials; species diversity; wetlands; woody plants; Illinois
Abstract:
... Floristic Quality Assessment (FQA) was developed as a tool for quantifying the conservation value of natural areas based on their plant species composition and richness. Floristic Quality Assessment is based on Coefficients of Conservatism (C values) assigned to each plant species in a region or state. Each species i, is assigned a value Ci, on a scale of 0–10 by expert botanists, based on its fid ...
DOI:
10.1016/j.ecolind.2014.11.017

7. Assessing ecological habitat structure from local to landscape scales using synthetic aperture radar

Author:
Betbeder, Julie; Hubert-Moy, Laurence; Burel, Françoise; Corgne, Samuel; Baudry, Jacques
Source:
Ecological indicators 2015 v.52 pp. 545-557
ISSN:
1470-160X
Subject:
Carabidae; agricultural land; biodiversity; biogeography; canopy; forests; habitats; landscapes; lidar; photographs; remote sensing; spatial data; synthetic aperture radar; France
Abstract:
... Ecological studies need accurate environmental data such as vegetation characterization, landscape structure and organization, to predict and explain the spatial distribution of biodiversity. Few ecological studies use remote sensing data to assess the biophysical or structural properties of vegetation to understand species distribution. To date, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data have seldom bee ...
DOI:
10.1016/j.ecolind.2014.11.009

8. Assessing the impact of gold mining in headwater streams of Eastern Amazonia using Ephemeroptera assemblages and biological traits

Author:
Dedieu, Nicolas; Rhone, Mathieu; Vigouroux, Régis; Céréghino, Régis
Source:
Ecological indicators 2015 v.52 pp. 332-340
ISSN:
1470-160X
Subject:
Ephemeroptera; correspondence analysis; gold; locomotion; macroinvertebrates; mining; rivers; Amazonia
Abstract:
... Whilst the biological traits composition of invertebrate assemblages has been successfully used to monitor temperate rivers, it has been seldom tested in tropical areas. We compared the trait composition of Ephemeroptera assemblages (five traits, 21 modalities) in three categories of headwater streams of FG: reference (undisturbed) sites, sites formerly impacted by gold-mining, and sites currently ...
DOI:
10.1016/j.ecolind.2014.12.012

9. Assessment of ecological vulnerability and decision-making application for prioritizing roadside ecological restoration: A method combining geographic information system, Delphi survey and Monte Carlo simulation

Author:
Song, Guobao; Li, Zhe; Yang, Yangang; Semakula, Henry Musoke; Zhang, Shushen
Source:
Ecological indicators 2015 v.52 pp. 57-65
ISSN:
1470-160X
Subject:
Monte Carlo method; case studies; decision making; ecological resilience; ecological restoration; experts; geographic information systems; issues and policy; mountains; prioritization; surveys; uncertainty; China
Abstract:
... Study experience of ecologist plays an important role in assessing the contribution of different influencing factors to ecological vulnerability, helping policy makers to target measures for ecological restoration. However, uncertainty is unavoidable due to variation of study experience among experts. In this study, a new method that combines Delphi survey, geographic information system and Monte ...
DOI:
10.1016/j.ecolind.2014.11.032

10. Assessment of policies to reduce core forest fragmentation from Marcellus shale development in Pennsylvania

Author:
Abrahams, Leslie S.; Griffin, W. Michael; Matthews, H. Scott
Source:
Ecological indicators 2015 v.52 pp. 153-160
ISSN:
1470-160X
Subject:
biodiversity; brood parasitism; drilling; economic investment; environmental impact; forest ecosystems; forests; habitat fragmentation; invasive species; issues and policy; landscapes; models; natural gas; predation; risk; roads; shale; wells; wind; Pennsylvania
Abstract:
... Marcellus Shale development is occurring rapidly and relatively unconstrained across Pennsylvania (PA). Through 2013, over 7400 unconventional wells had been drilled in the Commonwealth. Well pads, access roads, and gathering lines fragment forestland resulting in irreversible alterations to the forest ecosystem. Changes in forest quantity, composition, and structural pattern can result in increas ...
DOI:
10.1016/j.ecolind.2014.11.031

11. A system of systems approach to energy sustainability assessment: Are all renewables really green?

Author:
Hadian, Saeed; Madani, Kaveh
Source:
Ecological indicators 2015 v.52 pp. 194-206
ISSN:
1470-160X
Subject:
Miscanthus; bioenergy; carbon footprint; economic resources; ecosystems; energy costs; energy efficiency; ethanol; fossil fuels; geothermal energy; global warming; greenhouse gas emissions; issues and policy; land use; sugarcane; systems analysis; uncertainty; water footprint; water power; water use efficiency
Abstract:
... Renewable energies are emerging across the globe in an attempt to slow down global warming and to improve national energy security in face of the depleting fossil fuel reserves. However, the general policy of mandating the replacement of fossil fuels with the so-called “green” energies may not be as effective and environmental-friendly as previously thought, due to the secondary impacts of renewab ...
DOI:
10.1016/j.ecolind.2014.11.029

12. Biological variables as soil quality indicators: Effect of sampling time and ability to classify soils by their suitability

Author:
Benintende, Silvia; Benintende, María; Sterren, María; Saluzzio, Mariano; Barbagelata, Pedro
Source:
Ecological indicators 2015 v.52 pp. 147-152
ISSN:
1470-160X
Subject:
Alfisols; Mollisols; Vertisols; autumn; bioactive properties; discriminant analysis; edaphic factors; humans; microbial biomass; mineralization; seasonal variation; soil management; soil organic carbon; soil quality; soil sampling; spring
Abstract:
... Soil biological variables are considered good soil quality indicators due to their high sensitivity and ability to reflect soil management effects. However, they frequently show high temporal variability. Our objectives were: (a) to analyze temporal stability and seasonal effect on biological variables, (b) to choose between autumn and spring to sample for soil biological variables, and (c) to det ...
DOI:
10.1016/j.ecolind.2014.11.030

13. Biomagnetic monitoring of urban air pollution using moss bags (Sphagnum girgensohnii)

Author:
Vuković, G.; Urošević, M. Aničić; Tomašević, M.; Samson, R.; Popović, A.
Source:
Ecological indicators 2015 v.52 pp. 40-47
ISSN:
1470-160X
Subject:
Sphagnum girgensohnii; air pollution; aluminum; autumn; bags; barium; chromium; cities; cobalt; copper; iron; lead; monitoring; mosses and liverworts; nickel; pollutants; spatial distribution; summer; traffic; urban areas
Abstract:
... Active moss biomonitoring is widely applied in polluted areas for monitoring of airborne particle-bound trace element pollution. This study explored the suitability of the moss Sphagnum girgensohnii for biomagnetic monitoring in cities. To this end S. girgensohnii moss bags were exposed at three different microenvironments characterized by heavy traffic – street canyons, a city tunnel and parking ...
DOI:
10.1016/j.ecolind.2014.11.018

14. Brachythecium rutabulum and Betula pendula as bioindicators of heavy metal pollution around a chlor-alkali plant in Poland

Author:
Kolon, Krzysztof; Ruczakowska, Aneta; Samecka-Cymerman, Aleksandra; Kempers, Alexander J.
Source:
Ecological indicators 2015 v.52 pp. 404-410
ISSN:
1470-160X
Subject:
Betula pendula; air; cadmium; chromium; cobalt; copper; emissions; heavy metals; industry; iron; lead; manganese; mercury; mosses and liverworts; nickel; pollution; risk; shoots; zinc; Poland
Abstract:
... Chlor-alkali plants are known to be major sources of Hg emissions into the air. Therefore level of this metal in their surrounding must be carefully controlled. The aim of this work was to study the impact of the chlor-alkali industry in Brzeg Dolny (SW Poland) on the length of the vegetative short shoots of the pollution tolerant Betula pendula using the concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, ...
DOI:
10.1016/j.ecolind.2014.12.031

15. Comparing environmental vulnerability in the montane cloud forest of eastern Mexico: A vulnerability index

Author:
Esperón-Rodríguez, Manuel; Barradas, Víctor L.
Source:
Ecological indicators 2015 v.52 pp. 300-310
ISSN:
1470-160X
Subject:
Liquidambar styraciflua; Persea; air temperature; biodiversity; climate change; climatic factors; geographical distribution; hydrologic cycle; land use change; leaf conductance; leaf water potential; photosynthetically active radiation; relative humidity; stomatal conductance; sustainable development; terrestrial ecosystems; trees; tropical montane cloud forests; vapor pressure; vulnerable species; Mexico
Abstract:
... The montane cloud forest (MCF) is one of the most threatened ecosystems, in spite of its high strategic value for sustainable development, the role it plays in the hydrological cycle maintenance, and as reservoir of endemic biodiversity. For Mexico, this forest is considered the most threatened terrestrial ecosystem at national level because of land-use changes and the effects of global climate ch ...
DOI:
10.1016/j.ecolind.2014.12.019

16. Comparing urbanization patterns in Guangzhou of China and Phoenix of the USA: The influences of roads and rivers

Author:
Tian, Guangjin; Wu, Jianguo
Source:
Ecological indicators 2015 v.52 pp. 23-30
ISSN:
1470-160X
Subject:
cities; developing countries; issues and policy; land use; rivers; roads; urban areas; urbanization; China; United States
Abstract:
... Examining the similarities and differences in urbanization pattern between cities in developed and developing countries may enhance our understanding of urbanization processes and mechanisms. Using a buffer analysis approach, we compared the long-term spatiotemporal patterns of urbanization between Guangzhou of China and Phoenix of the United States during the 20th century, with a particular empha ...
DOI:
10.1016/j.ecolind.2014.11.024

17. Coralligenous reefs state along anthropized coasts: Application and validation of the COARSE index, based on a rapid visual assessment (RVA) approach

Author:
Gatti, G.; Bianchi, C.N.; Morri, C.; Montefalcone, M.; Sartoretto, S.
Source:
Ecological indicators 2015 v.52 pp. 567-576
ISSN:
1470-160X
Subject:
Paramuricea clavata; algae; cliffs; coasts; habitats; health status; reefs; species diversity; water quality
Abstract:
... A rapid visual assessment (RVA) approach for the characterization and assessment of the integrity of coralligenous reefs was applied in 21 stations subjected to different levels of anthropogenic pressure, along the French Mediterranean coasts. The reefs were characterized from both the geomorphologic and bionomic (biotic cover, conspicuous species richness, canopy-forming species, etc.) points of ...
DOI:
10.1016/j.ecolind.2014.12.026

18. Current and historical patterns of heavy metals pollution in Estonia as reflected in natural media of different ages: ICP Vegetation, ICP Forests and ICP Integrated Monitoring data

Author:
Napa, Ülle; Kabral, Naima; Liiv, Siiri; Asi, Endla; Timmusk, Tiiu; Frey, Jane
Source:
Ecological indicators 2015 v.52 pp. 31-39
ISSN:
1470-160X
Subject:
cadmium; chromium; coniferous forests; copper; fly ash; forest soils; heavy metals; humus; industry; lead; monitoring; mor; mosses and liverworts; nickel; oil shale; pollution; soil surveys; zinc; Estonia
Abstract:
... In order to characterise current and historical pattern of heavy metal (HM) pollution in Estonia, this article will compare the concentrations and stocks of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn represented in current deposition (data from 18 local precipitation stations) with natural media of three different ages: 1–3-year-old moss carpet (ICP Vegetation moss survey data from 99 open area plots), 3–5-year-ol ...
DOI:
10.1016/j.ecolind.2014.11.028

19. Detecting soil salinity with MODIS time series VI data

Author:
Zhang, Ting-Ting; Qi, Jia-Guo; Gao, Yu; Ouyang, Zu-Tao; Zeng, Sheng-Lan; Zhao, Bin
Source:
Ecological indicators 2015 v.52 pp. 480-489
ISSN:
1470-160X
Subject:
correlation; cropland; land cover; moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer; monitoring; phenology; regression analysis; river deltas; salinity; satellites; soil salinity; soil salinization; statistical models; time series analysis; variance; vegetation index; vegetation types; China; Yellow River
Abstract:
... Mapping of salinization using the satellite derived vegetation indices (VIs) remains difficult at broad regional scales due to the low classification accuracy. Satellite derived VIs from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) have more potential because the MODIS balances the requirements of spatial detail, spectral and temporal density and tends to reflect vegetation responses ...
DOI:
10.1016/j.ecolind.2015.01.004

20. Determining tipping points in aquatic ecosystems: The case of biodiversity and chlorophyll α relations in fish pond systems

Author:
Vanacker, Marie; Wezel, Alexander; Payet, Vincent; Robin, Joël
Source:
Ecological indicators 2015 v.52 pp. 184-193
ISSN:
1470-160X
Subject:
Anisoptera (Odonata); aquatic ecosystems; chlorophyll; eutrophication; farming systems; fish; fish culture; fish ponds; macroinvertebrates; nutrients; phytoplankton; species diversity; statistical analysis; surface water; vascular plants; water quality; France
Abstract:
... The management of biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems requires knowing the state of water quality linked to regime shifts in various taxonomic groups. We examine this question by studying the fish ponds in the Dombes region, France. These waterbodies are characterized by a high diversity of species. High levels of nutrients due to certain fish farming practices may cause significant eutrophication ...
DOI:
10.1016/j.ecolind.2014.12.011