benthos (version 1.3-8)

read_ambi: Read and Validate AMBI Sensitivity Data

Description

This function reads and checks files with AMBI sensitivity data. The data should be stored in 'comma separated values' format (csv) consisting of two columns:

• TAXON species name;

• GROUP Roman numeral (I, II, III, IV, V) giving the sensitivity group

Usage

read_ambi(filename)
validate_ambi(.data)

Arguments

filename

name of the AMBI sensitivity file (character)

.data

table in AMBI-format

Functions

• validate_ambi(): validator for AMBI-format

Details

The function performs the following tasks:

• checks the existence of filename;

• checks availablitity of required columns (case insensitive);

• removes redundant spaces;

• removes duplicated records.

References

Borja, A., J. Franco and V. Perez, 2000. A Marine Biotic Index to Establish the Ecological Quality of Soft-Bottom Benthos Within European Estuarine and Coastal Environments. Marine Pollution Bulletin 40:1100-1114