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Qualitative and Quantitative Criteria Defining a “Healthy” Ecosystem

  • Conference paper
Evaluating and Monitoring the Health of Large-Scale Ecosystems

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((ASII,volume 28))

Abstract

As Costanza et al. have previously pointed out (1992), the terms “health” and “integrity” are used widely in policy documents and scientific publications regarding environmental protection. However, although the term “healthy” ecosystem has been in use for a long time, its representativeness regarding ecological reality and therefore relevance may still be contended. Defining a “healthy” ecosystem is a more complex task than might be expected.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Ecology and Zoology, Bat 442, University of Paris-Sud, F - 91405, Orsay, France

    François Ramade

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  1. François Ramade
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Blackwood Hall, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada

    David J. Rapport

  2. Soil and Sediment Quality Section, Environment Canada, Hull, Quebec, K1A 0H3, Canada

    Connie L. Gaudet (Ecosystem Conservation Directorate) (Ecosystem Conservation Directorate)

  3. Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, P. O. Box 601, Sheffield, S10 2UQ, UK

    Peter Calow

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© 1995 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Ramade, F. (1995). Qualitative and Quantitative Criteria Defining a “Healthy” Ecosystem. In: Rapport, D.J., Gaudet, C.L., Calow, P. (eds) Evaluating and Monitoring the Health of Large-Scale Ecosystems. NATO ASI Series, vol 28. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-79464-3_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-79464-3_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-79466-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-79464-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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