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NALT Full

Preferred term

indicator species

Type

Organism

Definition

Any organism which by its presence or absence, its frequency or its vigor, indicates a particular property of its surrounding environment. For example, a particular plant might indicate a soil type or the presence or absence of an air or water pollutant.
Source: Schwarz, Charles F.; Thor, Edward C.; Elsner, Gary H. 1976. Wildland planning glossary. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-13. Berkeley, Calif.: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Exp. Stn. 252 p.
Type: Concept definition

Broader concept

Related concepts

Synonyms

bio-indicator organisms
bioindicator species
biological indicators
biomonitors
indicator bacteria
indicator organisms
indicator plants
indicator taxa

In other languages

especies indicadoras

Spanish

URI

https://lod.nal.usda.gov/nalt/17401

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