Indicator Species
Definition
Indicator species are organisms that provide information about the health and condition of an ecosystem. They are sensitive to changes in their environment and can indicate pollution levels or other ecological disturbances.
Analogy
Think of indicator species as the "canaries in the coal mine." Just like how miners used to bring canaries into mines to detect dangerous gases, indicator species act as early warning signs for environmental problems.
Related terms
Keystone Species: A species that has a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem relative to its abundance.
Bioindicators: Organisms or substances used to assess the quality or health status of an ecosystem.
Biotic Index: A numerical scale used to measure the quality or pollution level of an ecosystem based on the presence and abundance of certain indicator species.
"Indicator Species" appears in:
Study guides (2)
Practice Questions (3)
- What does an indicator species reflect in an ecosystem?
- What is an example of an indicator species?
- What are indicator species in the context of ecosystems?
Resources
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