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Measuring non-biological diversity using commonly used metrics: Strengths, weaknesses and caveats for their application in beach litter management

TitoloMeasuring non-biological diversity using commonly used metrics: Strengths, weaknesses and caveats for their application in beach litter management
Tipo di pubblicazioneArticolo su Rivista peer-reviewed
Anno di Pubblicazione2017
AutoriBattisti, C., Bazzichetto M., Poeta G., Pietrelli L., and Acosta A.T.R.
RivistaJournal of Coastal Conservation
Volume21
Paginazione303-310
Parole chiaveanthropogenic source, coastal zone management, pollution incidence, pollution monitoring, research work, Waste disposal, waste management
Abstract

Due to increasing worldwide anthropogenic pressure and in order to promote adequate environmental conservation strategies, quantification of non-biological diversity, such as considering marine and beach litter, is becoming increasingly useful. Information on beach litter in terms of richness and diversity may have a consistent influence regarding the evaluation of its pressure and impact on coastal ecosystems. Highlighted are strengths, weaknesses and caveats concerning the use of uni- and bi-variate diversity metrics applied to a class of man-made non-biological objects periodically accumulated on the beaches. Two case studies show evidence that the application of diversity metrics on non-biological objects may have different implications. In absence of a universal and standardized non-biological taxonomy, it is important to be cautious when comparing values obtained from non-living assemblages, in particular if different sites, time or operators are considered. Moreover, different indices provide different information. Therefore, users should pay particular attention on the application of diversity metrics, addressing specific research questions and avoiding automatic calculation of redundant and “magic” indices. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

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cited By 2

URLhttps://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85016597070&doi=10.1007%2fs11852-017-0505-9&partnerID=40&md5=d8e971b83e46a3844090dbf9607f388a
DOI10.1007/s11852-017-0505-9
Citation KeyBattisti2017303