Pearson D L
Department of Zoology, Arizona State University, Tempe 85287-1501.
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 1994 Jul 29;345(1311):75-9. doi: 10.1098/rstb.1994.0088.
Introducing greater objectivity to selection of indicator taxa produces results that are likely to reduce uncertainty, be more efficiently obtained and more clearly communicated. Seven criteria are presented that can be used to objectively test the claim that a given taxon is an ideal indicator: (i) well known and stable taxonomy; (ii) well known natural history; (iii) readily surveyed and manipulated; (iv) higher taxa broadly distributed geographically and over a breadth of habitat types; (v) lower taxa specialized and sensitive to habitat changes; (vi) patterns of biodiversity reflected in other related and unrelated taxa; and (vii) potential economic importance. These criteria have different priorities depending on which of two general categories of biodiversity the indicator taxon is to be used. Monitoring places an emphasis on sensitivity to habitat change, and inventory places an emphasis on systematics. An index is suggested by which the results of selecting an indicator taxon can be more accurately communicated. This index is based on the number of criteria that are successfully tested for the proposed indicator and their priority.
在指示生物分类群的选择中引入更高的客观性会产生可能减少不确定性、能更高效地获取且能更清晰传达的结果。本文提出了七条标准，可用于客观检验某一特定生物分类群是否为理想指示生物的说法：（i）分类学知名且稳定；（ii）自然史知名；（iii）易于调查和操控；（iv）较高分类群在地理上广泛分布且跨越多种生境类型；（v）较低分类群具有特殊性且对生境变化敏感；（vi）其他相关和不相关生物分类群中反映出的生物多样性模式；以及（vii）潜在的经济重要性。根据指示生物分类群所应用的两种一般生物多样性类别中的哪一种，这些标准具有不同的优先级。监测强调对生境变化的敏感性，而清查强调系统学。建议采用一种指数，通过它可以更准确地传达选择指示生物分类群的结果。该指数基于为提议的指示生物成功检验的标准数量及其优先级。
