1. A New Multi-Index Method for the Eutrophication Assessment in Transitional Waters: Large-Scale Implementation in Italian Lagoons.
- Author
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Bonometto, Andrea, Ponis, Emanuele, Cacciatore, Federica, Riccardi, Elena, Pigozzi, Silvia, Parati, Paolo, Novello, Marta, Ungaro, Nicola, Acquavita, Alessandro, Manconi, Paola, Sfriso, Adriano, Giordani, Gianmarco, and Boscolo Brusà, Rossella
- Subjects
EUTROPHICATION ,LAGOONS ,ECOSYSTEM management ,WATER quality ,ECOSYSTEM services ,BIOINDICATORS ,ECOLOGICAL impact - Abstract
Eutrophication represents one of the most impacting threats for the ecological status and related ecosystem services of transitional waters; hence, its assessment plays a key role in the management of these ecosystems. A new multi-index method for eutrophication assessment, based on the ecological index MaQI (Macrophyte Quality Index), the trophic index TWQI (Transitional Water Quality Index), and physicochemical quality elements (sensu Dir. 2000/60/EC), was developed including both driver and impact indicators. The study presents a large-scale implementation of the method, which included more than 100 Italian lagoon sites, covering a wide variability of lagoon typologies and conditions. Overall, 35% of sites resulted in eutrophic status, 45% in mesotrophic, and 25% in oligotrophic status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
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