One example of a bioindicator is lichens. Lichens are made up of a symbiotic relationship between fungus and algae or cyanobacteria, and they are highly sensitive to environmental changes such as air pollution. Lichens are commonly used to monitor air quality in urban areas because they can absorb pollutants from the air and accumulate them in their tissues.
Bioindicators are important because they can provide early warning signs of environmental degradation before more obvious signs of damage appear. By monitoring the health of bioindicators like lichens, researchers and environmentalists can track changes in an ecosystem over time and assess the impact of human activities on the environment. This information can then be used to make informed decisions about conservation and management strategies to protect and preserve natural resources.
8. Give an example of a bioindicator, and explain why they are important.
1 answer
1 answer