Derivation of ecosystemic effect indicators - method

Anthropogenic activities and agricultural production in particular release material emissions and energy into the environment. Hence, production causes side effects in ecosystems. In order to assess these effects integrative system-level indicators are needed. Numerous environmental indicators are available, however, a sound theoretical basis is lacking. Accordingly, the derivation of indicators is often unclear and non-transparent. Frequently, environmental indicators aim at monitoring and controlling, integrating sectoral aspects only. The associated indicator models were often created for the assessment of relations between anthropogenic actions and the environment on a national or global scale. Systemic, functional, holistic indicators are rare. Due to the gaps of indicator research a new category of indicators and an approach for their derivation is necessary. In this paper we present the idea of ecosystematic effect indicators (EEI) and propose a conceptual approach to deduce these indicators. Thus a set of indicators can be derived that is tailored to the needs of the indicator user, but remains rooted firmly in the principle of ecosystem functioning. The indicators demonstrate the relationship between agricultural production and its effects in the agronomic production system itself and adjacent ecosystems. Depending upon both ecosystem functioning and inputs, EEI are to fulfil certain requirements. By transferring the indicators into decision criteria they are applicable for the farmer. Recently, the applicability of the proposed conceptual approach is tested in a case study. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.