Effects of two classification strategies on a Benthic Community Index for streams in the Northern Lakes and Forests Ecoregion
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Abstract
Ninety-four sites were used to analyze the effects of two different classification strategies on the Benthic Community Index (BCI). The first, a priori classification, reflected the wetland status of the streams; the second, a posteriori classification, used a bio-environmental analysis to select classification variables. Both classifications were examined by measuring classification strength and testing differences in metric values with respect to group membership. The a priori (wetland) classification strength (83.3%) was greater than the a posteriori (bio-environmental) classification strength (76.8%). Both classifications found one metric that had significant differences between groups. The original index was modified to reflect the wetland classification by re-calibrating the scoring criteria for percent Crustacea and Mollusca. A proposed refinement to the original Benthic Community Index is suggested. This study shows the importance of using hypothesis-driven classifications, as well as exploratory statistical analysis, to evaluate alternative ways to reveal environmental variability in biological assessment tools.
Suggested Citation
Butcher, J.T., Stewart, P.M., Simon, T.P., 2003, Effects of two classification strategies on a Benthic Community Index for streams in the Northern Lakes and Forests Ecoregion: Ecological Indicators, v. 3, no. 3, p. 195-202, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-160X(03)00043-8.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Effects of two classification strategies on a Benthic Community Index for streams in the Northern Lakes and Forests Ecoregion |
| Series title | Ecological Indicators |
| DOI | 10.1016/S1470-160X(03)00043-8 |
| Volume | 3 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Year Published | 2003 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Contributing office(s) | Great Lakes Science Center |
| Description | 8 p. |
| First page | 195 |
| Last page | 202 |
| Online Only (Y/N) | N |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |