Who needs trophic state indices?

Abstract

The degree of nutrient enrichment has classically indicated trophic state. Nutrients alone, however, inadequately describe a lake’s trophic-dynamic structure. Therefore, trophic state indices are simplifications of a more dynamic process. The specific utility of trophic state indices for their intended uses (classification and ranking by trophic status) is limited by deviant behavior among the indices. Secondary index information may be obtained by examining these deviations. Often, these deviations indicate the nature of nontypical trophic behavior. © 1984 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.