'Recycling' Data to Derive Environmental Indicators

摘要

When considering relatively short-term environmental bioindicators, most people think interms of genetic or other markers, indicator species, and statistical evaluation of monitor-ing data. If long-term indicators are needed, then ice and sediment cores, tree rings andother natural records might come to mind. We suggest adding to both of these lists thehuge, largely untapped reservoir of ecological information and documentation that liesdormant in filing cabinets, on dusty shelves and old computers around the world. Compi-lation of existing data — data recycling, if you will — can generate new indicators ofenvironmental change, and also provide context for existing ones.