<<  <  >  >>

E  C O S Y S T E M ST R U C T U R E I  N D I C AT O R S

The term ecosystem structure generally refers to a set of attributes (living and non-living) related to the

instantaneous physical state of the ecosystem. For example, a characterization of coral reef ecosystem

structure might include questions like these:

· How many different corals live on the reef, and in what numbers?

· How much of the reef surface is covered by macroalgae?

· What's the water temperature on the reef?

· How much mangrove forest fringes our coastline?

The Healthy Reefs Ecosystem Structure indicators (S) -- thirteen in all -- look to these sorts of questions to help

keep an eye on how our reefs are doing and how they are changing (Table 7.a).

Harley Moody

Table 7.a. Ecosystem Structure Indicators.

Attribute

Indicator #

Indicator

Biodiversity

S1

Coral Diversity

S2

Fish Diversity

S3

Focal Species Abundance

Community Structure

S4

Coral Cover

S5

Coral:Algae Ratio

S6

Fish Abundance

S7

Rugosity

Abiotic

S8

Water Quality: Temperature, Salinity, Transparency

S9

Ocean Color (remote sensing)

S10

Sedimentation Rate

Habitat Extent

S11

Coral Reef Areal Extent

S12

Mangrove Areal Extent

S13

Seagrass Areal Extent

11