Thermodynamic oriented ecological indicators: Application of Eco-Exergy and Specific Eco-Exergy in capturing environmental changes between disturbed and non-disturbed tropical reservoirs

► Eco-Exergy and Specific Eco-Exergy were applied as ecological indicators. ► It is advisable to use Eco-Exergy and Specific Eco-Exergy complementary in assessing ecosystem condition/status. ► Results interpretation compliance with theoretical assumptions must be checked. ► More discrete weighting factors to estimate Eco-Exergy from biomass are advantageous.