Biomonitors

A biomonitor is an organism or biological system used to detect and measure the presence of pollutants or other environmental conditions. The fundamental principle behind biomonitoring is that living organisms respond to changes in their environment. These responses, whether physiological, behavioral, or structural, can serve as indicators of environmental health. Commonly used biomonitors include plants, animals, and microorganisms. For example, certain species of lichens are highly sensitive to air pollution and their abundance or decline can signal changes in air quality. Aquatic invertebrates like caddisfly larvae are often used to assess water quality, as different species have varying tolerances to dissolved oxygen levels and chemical contamination. Fish can also act as biomonitors, with changes in their health, reproduction, or presence indicating issues in aquatic ecosystems. The use of biomonitors is advantageous because they often integrate environmental conditions over time, providing a more comprehensive picture than sporadic chemical sampling. They can also detect subtle effects that might be missed by conventional monitoring methods. The data collected from biomonitors can inform environmental management decisions, helping to identify sources of pollution and evaluate the effectiveness of remediation efforts.