Multi-metric index based on the seagrass Zostera noltii (ZoNI) for ecological quality assessment of coastal and estuarine systems in SW Iberian Peninsula

作者：Garcia Marin Patricia^*; Cabaco Susana; Hernandez Ignacio; Vergara Juan J; Silva Joao; Santos Rui

来源：Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2013, 68(1-2): 46-54.

DOI：10.1016/j.marpolbul.2012.12.025

• Ecological quality assessment
• Iberian Peninsula
• Multi-metric index
• Seagrass
• Water Framework Directive
• Zostera noltii

The aim of this study was to develop an ecological quality index based on the seagrass Zostera noltii (ZoNI) according to the WFD requirements. Eleven Z noltii meadows of SW Iberian Peninsula under contrasting levels of anthropogenic disturbance were considered: 5 sites in Ria Formosa (Portugal), and 6 sites in Spain (Huelva and Cadiz). Environmental quality was assessed through nutrients of the water column and seagrass variables from different organization levels; those variables were analyzed using PCA (47% of explained variance on the first component) to calculate the ecological quality ratio (that was significantly correlated to the environmental variables, R-2 = 0.51, p %26lt; 0.01) and the ecological quality status of the sites. As a result, 4 sites were classified as good, 6 sites as moderate and 3 sites as poor ecological status. The developed index ZoNI showed to be suitable to assess the ecological status of estuarine and coastal systems in SW Iberian Peninsula reflecting their water quality.

• 出版日期2013-3-15