Table 1 Operational definitions and clarification of terms
Variable | Definition | Metric(s) |
|---|---|---|
Abundance | The number or proportion of the same species within an area | Counts obtained through transect or quadrant sampling |
Community composition | The relative abundances of taxa within an area | Biotope classification (e.g. OSPAR) |
Condition | Physical state of fauna within an area | Identification of damage, disease, injury, discoloration, etc |
Diversity | The richness and abundance of an area | Diversity indices (e.g. Shannon–Weiner Index or Simpson’s Index) |
Mortality | Measure of individual deaths | Mortality rate (may instead be measured by proxies such as community composition, abundance, or condition) |
Recovery rate | Physical and biological recovery of site to a pre-determined state | Diversity of area, abundance of area, physical condition of area |
Richness | The number of different species within an area | Counts obtained through transect or quadrant sampling |