Biomonitorering
Biomonitoring is the systematic use of biological organisms to assess the quality of the environment. This involves studying the responses of living things to environmental conditions. Organisms can be used as indicators because they are sensitive to changes in air, water, and soil quality. For example, certain species of mosses and lichens are very sensitive to air pollution and can be used to map pollution levels. Aquatic invertebrates, like dragonfly larvae or freshwater mussels, are often used to assess the health of rivers and lakes. Their presence, absence, or abundance can indicate the level of pollution or habitat degradation.
The principle behind biomonitoring is that biological systems integrate environmental stressors over time. This means that
Biomonitoring programs can be used for various purposes, including pollution assessment, ecological impact studies, and the