Definition
Indicator species are one or more taxa whose relative absence, presence, or abundance serves as measure of the health of a given ecosystem.
Species as Indicators
Species can serve as biological indicators of ecological heath and have a number of distinct uses. In recent years, the use of the term “indicator species” has been widely adopted by researchers, and the concept has been adapted and applied to a range of scientific assessments. Researchers use indicator species’ relative absence, presence, or abundance as a representation of an environmental trait or condition. Their status is used as both an ecosystem monitoring and management tool by ecologists and biologists alike.
Using a single species, or group of species, as a proxy of environmental health provides a reliable, cost-effective, and efficient method for studying a complex system....
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Lauderdale, L. (2022). Indicator Species. In: Vonk, J., Shackelford, T.K. (eds) Encyclopedia of Animal Cognition and Behavior. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-55065-7_1134
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-55065-7_1134
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