Biological early warning systems BEWS

Baldwin I.G. and Kramer K.J.M., 1994. Biological early warning systems (BEWS). In Biomonitoring of Coastal Waters and Estuaries, KIM Kramer (ed) CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp. 1-28. 

Environmental monitoring based on whole-organism bioassays and biological early warning systems (BEWS) is lately considered to replace standard expensive chemical analysis. The tests must accomplish some basic conditions like to be simple, based on standardized protocols, predictive, low cost, and applicable to species, populations, and communities. They also need to be sensitive to a wide range of chemicals with minimal matrix effects. ... 

Baldwin IG, Kramer KJM (1994) Biological early warning systems (BEWS). CRC, Boca Raton... 

This chapter provides an overview of the present situation regarding BEWS. The technical, financial and biological requirements of successful BEWS systems are discussed. Suitable organisms are identified and the needs for quality assurance and validation are highlighted. Some representative early warning systems that are successfully used in environmental monitoring are presented. Illustrations of typical field applications that focus on the requirements of environmental monitoring in the context of the WFD are included as case studies. 

---