Page 244 - Freshwater-Biology-and-Ecology-Handbook

CHAPTER 5 3.1.19 – 3.1.20 3.1.19 CCI (Community Conservation Index)

CCI is an index of the conservation value of a site based on the macroinvertebrates present. It therefore complements
other biotic indices, which relate to environmental quality.

CCI – Community Conservation Index

The Community Conservation Index is an index of the conservation value of a site based on macroinvertebrates.
It emphasises the rarity of individual species and Red Data Book status.

The CCI for a site is the product of the Community Score Theoretically, CCI is appropriate for any wet habitat in which
and the average Conservation Score. Conservation nominally freshwater species can occur – ie for anything
Scores of between 1 and 10 have been assigned to each inland (rivers, lakes, wetlands and even damp mud or cattle
macroinvertebrate species based on its rarity, according to troughs). Towards the coast, it has been used in saltmarshes
its Red Data Book category or lesser conservation status. (including hypersaline lagoons), but it is not appropriate for
The Community Score (value from 1 to 15) is based on the fully marine habitats (benthic sub-tidal) – Chadd (2004) (114)
BMWP-score or the species in the sample with the highest and Chadd (2015) pers. comm.
Conservation Score.

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