Biological indicators of the quality of the environment
Biological indicators of the quality of the environment
This chapter investigates the biological indicators of the quality of the environment. Lichens are good indicators of the quality of air while invertebrates are ideal indicator organisms of water quality. The chapter focuses on the assessment of the effect of pollution on aquatic life. It examines invertebrate stream life in four rivers in Scotland with varying degrees of pollution. Samples of invertebrates are collected and their number and variety are examined. Each invertebrate family is assigned a biotic index depending on its sensitivity to pollution. The biotic index is a number expressing the water quality: the higher the number, the cleaner the water.
Keywords: biological indicators, lichens, invertebrates, Scotland, biotic index
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