ABSTRACT
As an analogy concept of human health, the de”nition of a water body’s health is unspeci”c yet (Norris and Thomas 1999). The main divergence of the academic opinions between scholars is the involvement of human value. Karr (1999) treated the original ecological integrity of a water body as the health, regarding that the biocenosis is nearly undisturbed and is able to construct the diversity and the functional framework. Norris and Thomas (1999) believed that a water body’s health relies on the judgment of the social system, so the requirement of human’s welfare should be considered. Meyer (1997) gave a comprehensive illustration, regarding that a healthy water body should be able to sustain the framework and functions of an ecological system, including human and social values. This understanding stated by Meyer is well accepted by most scholars.
