Abstract:

Ecosystem health is a state of the ecosystem characteristics of a system of diagnostic methods. At present, ecosystem health assessment is difficult in the field of study, still in the exploratory stage methodology, both in research methods and theory, need to be further developed. This article emphasis on ecosystem health assessment methods summarized and analyzed on the basis of theoretical studies ecological health at home and abroad. Ecosystem health assessment methods generally include Indicator species method and the Index system method in two ways. Indicator species method simple and easy, but because of the screening criteria and indicator species of ecosystem health indicators on the role of the strength is not clear, and did not consider the socio-economic and human health factors, is difficult to fully reflect the health of the ecosystem. Index system method in accordance with the characteristics of ecosystems and their services to establish a quantitative evaluation index system, is the main method of the regional ecosystem health evaluation. Furtherly, specific applications of different methods and the advantages and disadvantages are reviewed.