Indicator Species and Pollution Flashcards

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What is an indicator species?

An indicator species is a living thing whose presence or absence shows how polluted an environment is.

How do indicator species help scientists measure pollution in an area?

Scientists look at which indicator species are present. Different species live in clean or polluted conditions, so this shows the level of pollution.

Name one freshwater invertebrate that indicates clean, well-oxygenated water.

Mayfly nymphs are an indicator of clean, well-oxygenated water.

Name one freshwater invertebrate that indicates polluted water with low oxygen.

Bloodworms (or sludgeworms) are indicators of polluted water with low oxygen.

If mayfly nymphs disappear from a river and bloodworms increase, what does this suggest?

It suggests the water has become more polluted and has less oxygen.

What type of pollution do lichens help to indicate?

Lichens are used as indicator species for air pollution, especially levels of sulfur dioxide gas.

Where are you most likely to find many bushy lichens: in clean air or polluted air?

You are most likely to find many bushy lichens in clean air with low sulfur dioxide levels.

What does it suggest if there are only a few flat, crusty lichens on trees and walls in an area?

It suggests the air is quite polluted, with higher levels of sulfur dioxide.

How could you use indicator species to compare water quality at two sites on a river?

You could take samples at both sites, identify the invertebrates, and compare how many clean-water indicators and polluted-water indicators are present.

Give one advantage of using indicator species to assess pollution.

Using indicator species is cheap and simple, and it shows the real effect of pollution on living organisms.

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