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<br />method results in the computation of a representative, multi-parameter suite of hydrologic <br /> <br />characteristics, or indicators, for assessing hydrologic alteration, we refer to it as the <br /> <br />Indicators of Hydrologic Assessment (or IHA) method. <br /> <br />While the IHA method does not result in the computation of a single index of <br /> <br />ecosystem integrity, it has some similarities with such indices. Various authors (e.g., cairns <br /> <br />. -.. _ '}t,.r~}'l <br />et aI.I993; Karr 1993; Keddy et al. 1993; Munn 1993) have suggested that mdlces for ..." <br /> <br />measuring~ystem~integrity;andmonito[ing'programs designed tottackthe value ofilieSe; <br /> <br />indices over, time;' should have several important attributes: <br /> <br />"-'>Jll:t~ <br /> <br />i) . Indices should have a firm conceptual foundation brOlldly based in ecologicar; <br /> <br />principles; the indices should be biologically relevant; . <br /> <br />,'!U) 'Indices should combineinfurmation from a suite" ofpararneters, SIOce theitli1lW. .'. <br /> <br />r-,1b~n <br /> <br />complexity of ecological systems limits the likelihood that any single p~~ <br /> <br /> <br />, can be used to assess all forms of degi'adation and be sensitive acrosstllef{iir'1f, <br /> <br />range of conditions and differing degrees of human alteration. <br /> <br />.:.h:. '~fjj <br /> <br />iii) Indices'should;bdntegrative~ i,e:;. capable of summarizing information on iikny <br /> <br />ecosystem characteristics, and yet the individual parameters selected should not. <br /> <br />be highly redundant. <br /> <br />'< '," -' ,-~ <br /> <br />. ,...>>'1 <br />.,.': ~ ",Juv_- <br /> <br />iv) <br /> <br />Indices should be quantifiable, reproducible, and preferably simple and <br />. . <br /> <br />relatively inexpensive to ~easure, emphasizing the need for standardized., ,;;10 <br /> <br />. sampling protocols. <br />v) . Indices should have general or broad applicability, i.e., they can be m~~-i;; <br /> <br />. '-, :,:-lnc:~ <br /> <br />and applied in many different habitat or comm\1nity types and used to assess <br /> <br />6 <br />