Skip to main content
Log in

Application of multicriteria choice-methods in assessing eutrophication

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Multicriteria choice-methods, often used in policy analysis, were examined as a methodological procedure for eutrophication assessment. Multicriteria analysis ranked the sampling sites along two coastal areas, according to nutrient and chlorophyll concentrations. Three levels of nutrient loading were revealed, characterizing eutrophic, mesotrophic and oligotrophic waters. These results have been compared to station grouping based on multivariate analysis which indicated similar trends. Multicriteria choice-methods were shown to be an effective methodological tool in assessing eutrophication. In addition, this approach is compatible with multicriteria methods applied on policy-making and therefore the problem of eutrophication can be integrated with plan and project evaluation in environmental management.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Albers, L. and Nijkamp, P.: 1989, ‘Multidimensional Analysis for Plan or Project Evaluation. How to Fit the Right Method to the Right Problem’, Asian J. Econ. Soc. Stud. 8(1), 21–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Austen, M.C. and Warwick, R.M.: 1989, ‘Comparison of Univariate and Multivariate Aspects of Estuarine Meiobenthic Community Structure’, Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. 29, 23–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biswas, A.K.: 1990, ‘Environmental Modelling for Developing Countries: Problems and Prospects’, in: Biswas A.K., Khoshou T.N. and Khosla A. (eds.), Environmental Modelling for Developing Countries, Tykooly Publishing, London, pp. 1–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boesch, D.F.: 1977, Application of Numerical Classification in Ecological Investigation of Water Pollution, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA-600/3-77-033.

  • Clark, J.R.: 1983, Coastal Ecosystem Management, J. Wiley and Sons, New York, 928 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, K.R. and Green R.H.: 1988, ‘Statistical Design and Analysis for Biological Effects Study’, Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser 46, 213–226.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, K.R.: 1993, ‘Non-Parametric Multivariate Analyses of Changes in Community Structure’, Austra. J. Ecol. 18, 117–143.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davison, M.L., 1983, Multidimensional Scaling, J. Wiley & Sons, New York, 242 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Field, J.G., Clarke, K.R. and Warwick, R.M.: 1982, ‘A Practical Strategy for Analysing Multispecies Distribution Patterns’, Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 8, 37–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Friligos, N.: 1981, ‘An Index of Marine Pollution in the Saronicos Gulf’, Mar. Poll. Bull. 12(3), 96–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartog, J.A., Hinloopen, E. and Nijkamp, P.: 1989, ‘A Sensitivity Analysis of Multicriteria Choice-Methods’, Energy Economics, October, 293–300.

  • Hinloopen E., and Nijkamp P.: 1990, ‘Qualitative Multiple Criteria Choice Analysis, the Dominant Regime Method’, Quality and Quantity, 24, 37–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ignatiades, L., Karydis, M. and Moschpoulou, N.: 1981, Phytoplankton Ecology of the Saronicos Gulf, Aegean Sea. Data Report-Year 1980. Part I: Hydrography. Biology Department, Nuclear Research Center ‘Demokritos’ Greek Atomic Energy Commission, Athens, Greece.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ignatiades, L., Vassiliou, A. and Karydis, M.: 1985, ‘A Comparison of Phytoplankton Biomass Parameters and Their Interrelation With Nutrients in Saronicos Gulf (Greece)’, Hydrobiologia 128, 201–206.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ignatiades, L., Karydis, M. and Vounatsou, P.: 1992, ‘A Possible Method for Evaluating Oligotrophy And Eutrophication Based on Nutrient Concentration Scales’, Mar. Poll. Bull. 24(5), 238–243.

    Google Scholar 

  • Janssen R.: 1991, Multiobjective decision support for environmental problems. Ph.D dissertation, Free University of Amsterdam, 240 pp.

  • Karydis, M. and Coccossis, H.: 1990, ‘Use of Multiple Criteria for Eutrophication Assessment of Coastal Waters’, Environ. Monit. Assess. 14, 89–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karydis, M., Arvanitides, A., Economides, D. and Ignatiades, L.: 1988, in: Karydis, M. (ed.), Survey on the Coastal Water Quality of the City of Rhodes. A Data Report, Hydrobiological Station of Rhodes, Rhodes, 103 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karydis, M., Ignatiades, L. and Moschopoulou, N.: 1983, ‘An Index Associated with Nutrient Eutrophication in the Marine Environment’, Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 16, 339–344.

    Google Scholar 

  • Margalef, R.: 1985, ‘Basic Ecological Parameters, Monitoring and Biological Monitors in the Aquatic Environment’, in: Nurnberg, H.W. (ed.), Pollutants and their Ecotoxicological Significance, J. Wiley and Sons, New York, pp. 149–175.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nijkamp, P.:, 1990, ‘Environmental Management Methods and Information Imprecision’, in: Colombo, A.G. and Premazzi, G. (eds.), Environmental Impact Assessment Methods JRC, ISPRA, pp. 235–256.

  • Nijkamp, P., van den Bergh, C.J.M. and Soeteman, F.: 1991, ‘Regional Sustainable Development and Natural Resource Use’, Proceedings of the World Bank Annual Conference on Development Economics, pp. 153–188.

  • Nijkamp, P., Riedveld, P. and Voogd, H.: 1990, Multicriteria Evaluation in Physical Planning, North-Holland, Amsterdam.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nijkamp, P. and Voogd, H.: 1986, ‘A Survey of Qualitative Multiple Criteria Choice Models’, in: Nijkamp P., Leitner H. and Wringley N. (eds.), Measuring the Unmeasurable, Kluwer/Nijhoff, Dordrecht, pp. 425–447.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sneath, P.H.A and Sokal, R.R.: 1973, Numerical Taxonomy, W.H. Freeman and Co, San Francisco, 573 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • UN.: 1984, Coastal Area Management and Development (United Nations Department of International Economic and Social Affairs), Pergamon Press, Oxford, 188 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Voogd, H.: 1983, Multicriteria Evaluation for Urban and Regional Planning, Pion, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Warwick, R.M.: 1988, ‘The Level of Taxonomic Discrimination Required to Detect Pollution Effects on Marine Benthic Communities’, Mar. Poll. Bull. 19, 259–268.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilhm, L. and Dorris, C.T.: 1968, ‘Biological Parameters for Water Quality Criteria’, Bioscience. 18, 477–481.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeleny, M.: 1982, Multiple Criteria Decision Making, McGraw-Hill, NY, 563 pp.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Moriki, A., Karydis, M. Application of multicriteria choice-methods in assessing eutrophication. Environ Monit Assess 33, 1–18 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00546657

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00546657

Keywords

Navigation