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Benthic indicators: From subjectivity to objectivity - Where is the line?
Jean-Claude Dauvin1, Gérard Bellan, Denise Bellan-Santini
1Université de Lille 1, CNRS UMR 8187 LOG, Station Marine de Wimereux, 28 Avenue Maréchal Foch, B.P. 80, F-62930 Wimereux, France. jean-claude.dauvin@univ-lille1.fr
Marine Pollution Bulletin
|April 24, 2010
Summary
Marine benthic indicators are gaining traction for environmental assessments, driven by regulations. Simple, pragmatic methods like sentinel species, best professional judgment (BPJ), and taxonomic sufficiency (TS) are recommended for practical application.
Area of Science:
- Marine Ecology
- Environmental Science
- Benthic Ecology
Background:
- Renewed interest in benthic indicators for marine environment assessment, spurred by regulatory needs in North America and Europe.
- Proliferation of ecological research on benthic species and community status, utilizing diverse terminology.
- Increasing complexity and volume of scientific literature on benthic indicators.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and clarify terminology used for benthic species and community status in ecological research.
- To analyze the growing body of complex research on benthic indicators.
- To discuss the subjectivity and objectivity challenges in applying benthic indicators.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on benthic indicators.
- Analysis of terminology, complexity trends, and objectivity/subjectivity in benthic indicator studies.
- Evaluation of pragmatic approaches for practical application in environmental impact assessments.
Main Results:
- Significant increase in research publications concerning benthic indicators for marine ecosystem health.
- Identification of varied terminology and increasing methodological complexity in the field.
- Discussion on the balance between subjective and objective elements in benthic indicator application.
Conclusions:
- Advocacy for pragmatic approaches and the transfer of simple, effective methods to consultancies.
- Recommendation to encourage the use of established procedures like sentinel species, best professional judgment (BPJ), and taxonomic sufficiency (TS).
- Emphasis on the practical utility of benthic indicators for assessing marine environmental quality and impact studies.
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