VisSed Software as a tool in monitoring programs for benthic data interpretation
Máurea Nicoletti Flynn, Celmar Guimarães da Silva, Paulo Yukio Gomes Sumida, Arthur Z. Güth, Betina Galerani Rodrigues Alves, Gisela de Aragão Umbuzeiro · Revista Intertox de Toxicologia Risco Ambiental e Sociedade · 2015
Abstract: Characterization of dredged material and monitoring of disposal areas generate a large amount of data hard to interpret due to the necessity of compilation and comparison of an extensive number of samples from different locations over long period under the influence of multiple environmental parameters. Our goal is to test the feasibility of VisSed as a tool to assist benthic data interpretation consisting of biotic indexes usual in assessment of benthic communities’ structure and temporal variability. The characteristics displayed by the software VisSed, along with the chosen benthic structural methodology, provide a visual representation of changes sustained over time and space by the indexes (diversity, evenness, richness and individuals’ total abundance). The examples considered here support the usefulness of this tool in monitoring programs by enhancing visual data trends and patterns, and directing the researcher to potential determinant factors. It also provides grounds for the decision making process understandable by specialists and non-specialists professionals