| 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. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 1001006 |
| Citation Author: | Butcher, Jason T.; Stewart, Paul M.; Simon, Thomas P. |
| Citation Contributing Office: | Great Lakes Science Center |
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| Citation End Page: | 202 |
| Citation Issue: | 3 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Ecological Indicators |
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| Citation Number Of Pages: | 7 |
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| Citation Phsyical Description: | p. 195-202 |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | Effects of two classification strategies on a Benthic Community Index for streams in the Northern Lakes and Forests Ecoregion; 2003; Article; Journal; Ecological Indicators; Butcher, Jason T.; Stewart, Paul M.; Simon, Thomas P. |
| Citation Start Page: | 195 |
| Citation Volume: | 3 |
| Citation Year: | 2003 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Effects of two classification strategies on a Benthic Community Index for streams in the Northern Lakes and Forests Ecoregion; 2003; Article; Journal; Ecological Indicators; Butcher, Jason T.; Stewart, Paul M.; Simon, Thomas P. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| Date Other: | Wed, 1 Jan 2003 00:00 -0600 |
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