Indicator Species
See Also:
- Bioassessment and Biocriteria Basics (EPA-OST)
Biological indicator species are unique environmental indicators as they offer a signal of the biological condition in a watershed. Using bioindicators as an early warning of pollution or degradation in an ecosystem can help sustain critical resources. While indicator species is a term that is often used, it is somewhat inaccurate. Indicators are actually groups or types of biological resources that can be used to assess environmental condition. Within each group, individual species can be used to calculate metrics such as percent Achnanthes minutissima (a diatom species) or groups of species (e.g., EPT taxa) or individual orders (e.g., Caddisfly larvae - Order Trichoptera) in an effort to assess water quality conditions.
![Man holds up fish](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081108230103im_/http://www.epa.gov/bioindicators/images/fishhang.jpg)
The major groups include:
Marine environments also utilize biological indicators. While this site focuses predominately on freshwater resources, marine/tidal indicators are also quite important in sustaining biodiversity and preserving and restoring marine and estuarine resources.
Learn about river
and stream animals from
the Missouri Botanical Garden. Also, see their presentation on shoreline/tidal
animals and plants and marine
life.