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.
| 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 |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |