水生态完整性监测评价的基准与参照状态探究

水生态完整性评价通过对水生态系统中不同生态组分(非生物和生物)的监测,整合物理栖息地、环境水质和生物特征形成综合评价指数来反映水生态系统健康状况,是流域水环境管理的重要手段。笔者尝试从水生态完整性评价中基准与参照状态的核心要素出发,探讨基准与参照状态的概念框架与具体定义,综述评价参照状态的四大类确定方法(基于分类学的参照位点法、历史数据法,针对特定位点的模型预测法以及提供经验解释与描述的专家判断法),并对参照状态研究的挑战与应用予以展望。

Developing the Benchmark and Reference Condition for Monitoring and Assessment of Ecological Integrity of Surface Waters

Ecological Integrity monitoring and assessment are critical for watershed management because bioassessment integrates the biological, physical and chemical features of a waterbody, and characterizes healthy condition of aquatic ecosystem. Benchmarks based on reference conditions provide context and are a critical element of ecological integrity assessments. The conceptual framework of benchmarks and reference conditions, and specific definitions for different states of reference conditions were discussed for a better understanding. Four general types of approaches were reviewed to predict reference conditions (classification of reference-sites, interpretation of historical records, site-specific prediction models, as well as best professional judgment with comparable experience). Finally, concluding remarks and recommendations for reference condition in ecological integrity assessment were proposed.