Biological monitoring and environmental assessment: a conceptual framework

Direct biological monitoring is essential for effective assessment efforts. Past approaches to biomonitoring are too simplistic (for example, toxicity testing, indicator species) or conceptually invalid (diversity indexes). Assessments that use ecological guilds use ecological principles in a more integrative fashion. The best long-term approach is development of suites of metrics, like those used in the index of biotic integrity (IBI), to reflect individual, population, community, and ecosystem attributes in an integrative framework. Efforts to use the conceptual content of IBI in a wider diversity of habitats should be encouraged and followed up with effective control actions.

[1]  R. B. Root.  The Niche Exploitation Pattern of the Blue‐Gray Gnatcatcher , 1967 .

[2]  R. Szaro.  Guild management: an evaluation of avian guilds as a predictive tool , 1986 .

[3]  J. Karr.  Population Variability and Extinction in the Avifauna of a Tropical Land Bridge Island , 1982 .

[4]  J. Blake.  TROPHIC STRUCTURE OF BIRD COMMUNITIES IN FOREST PATCHES IN EAST-CENTRAL ILLINOIS , 1983 .

[5]  Peter B. Landres,et al.  Use of the guild concept in environmental impact assessment , 1983 .

[6]  J. Karr,et al.  Habitat preservation for Midwest stream fishes-principles and guidelines , 1983 .

[7]  James R. Karr,et al.  Ecological perspective on water quality goals , 1981 .

[8]  James R. Karr,et al.  Applying an Index of Biotic Integrity Based on Stream-Fish Communities: Considerations in Sampling and Interpretation , 1986 .

[9]  Assessing Biotic Integrity of the Fish Community in a Small Illinois Stream , 1987 .

[10]  M. Morrison,et al.  The use of guilds in forest bird management. , 1984 .

[11]  William D. Severinghaus,et al.  Guild theory development as a mechanism for assessing environmental impact , 1981 .

[12]  J. Karr.  Assessment of Biotic Integrity Using Fish Communities , 1981 .

[13]  Terence P. Boyle,et al.  Biomonitors of stream quality in agricultural areas: Fish versus invertebrates , 1986 .

[14]  J. Karr,et al.  Species composition of bird communities and the conservation benefit of large versus small forests , 1984 .

[15]  William D. Severinghaus,et al.  Proceedings: Conference on Applications of the Guild Concept to Environmental Management , 1986 .

[16]  J. Karr.  Avian Extinction on Barro Colorado Island, Panama: A Reassessment , 1982, The American Naturalist.

[17]  Jared Verner.  The guild concept applied to management of bird populations , 1984 .

[18]  Donald J. Orth,et al.  Application and Testing of an Index of Biotic Integrity in Small, Coolwater Streams , 1986 .

[19]  I. Schlosser.  Trophic Structure, Reproductive Success, and Growth Rate of Fishes in a Natural and Modified Headwater Stream , 1982 .

[20]  J. Karr,et al.  Fish Communities of Midwestern Rivers: A History of Degradation , 1985 .

[21]  Michael L. Morrison,et al.  Bird Populations as Indicators of Environmental Change , 1986 .

[22]  James R. Karr,et al.  Assessing biological integrity in running waters : a method and its rationale , 1986 .

[23]  E. Helmer,et al.  Effects of chlorine and ammoniac from wastewater treatment facilities on biotic integrity , 1985 .

[24]  James R. Karr,et al.  Regional Application of an Index of Biotic Integrity Based on Stream Fish Communities , 1984 .