Recent advances in indicator development and performance validation for ecosystem-based management

Because of the general definition of the term 'indicator' as well as its broad applicability, misunderstandings of the function of an indicator are inevitable. For instance, indicators are an increasingly used tool to define... [ view full abstract ]

Because of the general definition of the term 'indicator' as well as its broad applicability, misunderstandings of the function of an indicator are inevitable. For instance, indicators are an increasingly used tool to define the status of an associated (but non-measurable) variable or to identify changes in a system or system component. Indicators can also be used for providing signals prior or after trending or oscillating changes and for reflecting a system process itself or the impact of this process on the system. In conservation and ecosystem-based management a key role of an indicator is to inform on the effectiveness of specific management measures as required by legal frameworks such as the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). However, linking indicators to management measures requires a good understanding of the indicator responses to pressures and a sound testing of the indicator performance, which is often lacking. But recent advances in quantitative frameworks and software tools allow now the evaluation of the indicators suitability for specific management objectives. This study will provide an overview of indicator usages and developments in marine conservation based on a systematic literature review and introduce a new R package (INDperform) for testing indicator performances. The package will be demonstrated on a European cross-comparison of zooplankton metrics as ecosystem state indicators for ecosystem-based management.