A review of research on the development of lake indices of biotic integrity

摘要

Current methods of ecological health assessment of lakes within the United States are not adequate for meetingnthe requirements of the 1972 Clean Water Act (CWA) and assessing the condition of aquatic biota. Impairment status ofnlakes has typically been measured and classified by individual states via eutrophication standards or through the use of to-ntal maximum daily load (TMDL) protocols. These measurements often fail to account for effects of anthropogenic distur-nbances on aquatic biota that are not directly reflected by chemical and physical proxies of environmental condition. Thenindex of biotic integrity (IBI) is a potentially effective ecological health assessment method that is meant to integrate eco-nlogical, functional, and structural aspects of aquatic systems. Furthermore, the IBI is meant to meet the requirements ofnthe CWA by directly examining biological components of an ecosystem. The adaptation of the IBI for use in lake monitor-ning has increased in recent years as managers address the need to directly examine the biota of aquatic systems. This re-nview is meant to examine research related to the development of IBIs in lacustrine environments. Obstacles andnshortcomings to index development that are commonly encountered are discussed within the review. Attention is alsongiven to robust methods and lessons learned from inadequate methods. The review will facilitate use of the IBI for lakenmonitoring efforts with the overall goal of improving water resource management