An objective, niche-based approach to indicator species selection
An objective, niche-based approach to indicator species selection
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DOI：
10.1111/j.2041-210x.2011.00173.x
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发表时间：
2012-04-01
影响因子：
6.6
通讯作者：
Norris, Ken
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Butler, Simon J.;Freckleton, Robert P.;Norris, Ken
1.基于物种的指数经常被用作更广泛的生物多样性健康和环境状况措施的替代指标。物种的选择是至关重要的，在确定一个指标的度量值，因此，它提供的生态系统条件和功能的解释的有效性，但往往缺乏一个客观的过程，以确定适当的指标物种。2.一个有效的指标需要（i）具有代表性，反映更广泛的生物多样性的状况;（ii）具有反应性，充当环境条件有害变化的预警系统;（iii）以可预测的方式应对变化。我们提出了一个客观的，基于生态位的物种选择方法，建立在一个粗略的分类物种的生态位空间和关键资源需求，这确保了所得到的指标具有这些关键属性。3.我们使用英国农田鸟类作为案例研究，以证明这种方法，确定一个最佳的指标集，包含12个物种。与农田鸟类指数（FBI）中包含的19个物种相反，这是一个关键的英国生物多样性指标，有助于英国政府的可持续发展的主要指标之一，这些物种所占据的生态位空间完全涵盖了更广泛的62种物种所占据的生态位空间。4.我们证明，这12种土地利用变化的反应是一个强相关的更广泛的农田鸟类群落。此外，基于其人口趋势的指数的时间动态与更广泛社区的人口动态密切匹配。然而，在这两项分析中，我们的指标变化幅度要大得多，使这一指标成为一个预警系统。5.生态指标已纳入环境管理、可持续发展和生物多样性保护政策和做法，作为衡量国家、区域和全球目标进展情况的尺度。采用这种以生态位为基础的方法来客观地选择指示物种，将有助于为一系列分类群体、生境和空间尺度制定敏感和有代表性的指数。
1. Species-based indices are frequently employed as surrogates for wider biodiversity health and measures of environmental condition. Species selection is crucial in determining an indicators metric value and hence the validity of the interpretation of ecosystem condition and function it provides, yet an objective process to identify appropriate indicator species is frequently lacking. 2. An effective indicator needs to (i) be representative, reflecting the status of wider biodiversity; (ii) be reactive, acting as early-warning systems for detrimental changes in environmental conditions; (iii) respond to change in a predictable way. We present an objective, niche-based approach for species' selection, founded on a coarse categorisation of species' niche space and key resource requirements, which ensures the resultant indicator has these key attributes. 3. We use UK farmland birds as a case study to demonstrate this approach, identifying an optimal indicator set containing 12 species. In contrast to the 19 species included in the farmland bird index (FBI), a key UK biodiversity indicator that contributes to one of the UK Government's headline indicators of sustainability, the niche space occupied by these species fully encompasses that occupied by the wider community of 62 species. 4. We demonstrate that the response of these 12 species to land-use change is a strong correlate to that of the wider farmland bird community. Furthermore, the temporal dynamics of the index based on their population trends closely matches the population dynamics of the wider community. However, in both analyses, the magnitude of the change in our indicator was significantly greater, allowing this indicator to act as an early-warning system. 5. Ecological indicators are embedded in environmental management, sustainable development and biodiversity conservation policy and practice where they act as metrics against which progress towards national, regional and global targets can be measured. Adopting this niche-based approach for objective selection of indicator species will facilitate the development of sensitive and representative indices for a range of taxonomic groups, habitats and spatial scales.