Question

What is a bioindicator? What are some examples of bioindicators?

Answer 1

Bioindicator:

1. Any species (indicator species) or group of species whose function, population, or status can reveal the environmental quality state is referred to as a bioindicator.
2. Bioindicators can reveal the cumulative effects of various pollutants in the ecosystem, as well as how long a problem has been.
3. Animals are the most common indicator species.

Examples of bioindicators:

1. Lichens:

• Lichens are symbiotic associations between algae and fungi.
• Lichens are excellent air pollutant indicators since they do not flourish in polluted environments.

2. Phytoplanktons:

• Plankton communities are frequently employed as bioindicators in aquatic systems to track ecological change.

3. Earthworms:

• They are bioindicators of soil quality.