Indicators and assessment methods for measuring the ecological integrity of semi-aquatic terrestrial environments

Our objective is to summarize scientific knowledge concerning assessment me thods addressing ecological integrity in wetlands and riparian zones, with an emphasis on riparian areas. This article examines which indicators (abio tic parameters, species, faunistic and floristic communities and functional assemblages) are used, how they are applied (single or integrative indicat or), and which assessment algorithms and models have been successful to dat e. Overall, our review shows that despite the relatively recent emergence o f riparian ecology, riparian assessments are better developed than the wetl and functional assessments currently employed. In general, it is recommende d that useful methods be updated and cross-calibrated, that new rapid asses sment methods provide reasonable levels of accuracy for a variety of users in a variety of situations, that assessment be developed for specific appli cations (with identified users), that uncertainty be explicitly acknowledge d, that the policy implications of specific assessments methods be openly d iscussed, and that methods be formally tested for accuracy, cost and practi cality. In addition, we offer a revised protocol for the effective and rapi d assessment of functional integrity in riparian environments associated wi th freshwater ecosystems. This protocol encourages the use of terrestrializ ation, canopy development, biodiversity, microclimate and seston as integra tive indicators of integrity.