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Home / Other Stuff / Ask a Teacher / Biology / Biospheres /
Question from Marianne |
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Ask a Teacher - Biology - Biospheres - A Question from Marianne |
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| Student Name |
Marianne |
| Question |
Can you describe to me and tell me all about indicator species more
than the types would be of great help?
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| Answer |
Indicator species give biologist a good idea about the level
of pollution in water or air. They may wish to follow these observations
up with other tests.
If a biologist wishes to estimate the pollution level of a river
she will find out which invertebrates are living in the water. She
knows that Stonefly larvae can only survive in water with a high
oxygen concentration so if these are found the water is not polluted
with sewage or other organic waste. However if rat-tailed maggots
are found instead of Stonefly larvae it is clear that oxygen levels
are low due to organic pollution.
Air pollution can be estimated by a biologist according to the types
of lichens found in the area. Hairy lichens can only survive in
air that does not have sulphur dioxide pollution. Other sorts of
lichens can survive in areas with higher levels of air pollution.
For your exam you might learn the phrase "indicator organisms
show the level of pollution by their presence or absence".
Hope there is a question about indicator organisms for you now.
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