Bioindicators†
Melodie A. Mcgeoch
Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
South African National Parks, Cape Town, South Africa
Search for more papers by this authorMelodie A. Mcgeoch
Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
South African National Parks, Cape Town, South Africa
Search for more papers by this authorBased in part on the article “Bioindicators” by Melodie A. McGeoch, which appeared in the Encyclopedia of Environmetrics.
Abstract
A biological indicator is a species (or group of species) that readily reflects some aspect of the state of the environment within which it is found. Bioindicators are used to detect or demonstrate the existence of a particular environmental state, and to monitor changes in that state. In this way they are used as tools to extract abiotic or biotic information from the environment so that this information can be used for making scientifically based management and policy decisions.
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Further Reading
- Tulloch, A., Possingham, H.P., & Wilson, K. (2011). Wise selection of an indicator for monitoring the success of management actions, Biological Conservation 144, 141–154.