Macrobenthic indicator species: From concept to practical applications in marine ecology

As marine ecosystems and habitats continue to degrade, scientists urgently need a simple and effective method to monitor and assess the ecological environment. Due to the sensitivity of indicator species to environmental changes and pollution, indicator species are widely used to monitor environment...

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Main Authors: Wanhong Han, Qingxi Han
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-11-01
Series:Global Ecology and Conservation
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989424004669
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author Wanhong Han
Qingxi Han
author_facet Wanhong Han
Qingxi Han
author_sort Wanhong Han
collection DOAJ
description As marine ecosystems and habitats continue to degrade, scientists urgently need a simple and effective method to monitor and assess the ecological environment. Due to the sensitivity of indicator species to environmental changes and pollution, indicator species are widely used to monitor environmental changes and assess management practices. In recent years, indicator species have received significant attention from ecologists. Therefore, systematic introduction of indicator species holds considerable practical and theoretical significance. Firstly, the definition and development history of indicator species are introduced, including six macrobenthic taxa identified as indicator species, such as annelids, echinoderms, cnidarians, mollusks, crustaceans, and demersal fishes. Additionally, ten related terms are explained, and two main problems are identified: unclear meanings and repeated definitions. Next, the advantages of indicator species and their limitations in practical applications are discussed, considering human, species-specific, and environmental factors. Finally, specific examples of the application of indicator species are presented in ecological monitoring, habitat selection, and ecological early warning. Through this multi-dimensional introduction of indicator species, further discussions are expected to be stimulated, and their application and development in marine ecology promoted, thereby enhancing their role in habitat and ecological environment selection and assessment in the future.
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spelling doaj-art-454ca0600bfe49f2ba2d786bfde6dcea2025-08-20T02:11:38ZengElsevierGlobal Ecology and Conservation2351-98942024-11-0155e0326210.1016/j.gecco.2024.e03262Macrobenthic indicator species: From concept to practical applications in marine ecologyWanhong Han0Qingxi Han1School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315832, PR ChinaCorrespondence to: School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China.; School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315832, PR ChinaAs marine ecosystems and habitats continue to degrade, scientists urgently need a simple and effective method to monitor and assess the ecological environment. Due to the sensitivity of indicator species to environmental changes and pollution, indicator species are widely used to monitor environmental changes and assess management practices. In recent years, indicator species have received significant attention from ecologists. Therefore, systematic introduction of indicator species holds considerable practical and theoretical significance. Firstly, the definition and development history of indicator species are introduced, including six macrobenthic taxa identified as indicator species, such as annelids, echinoderms, cnidarians, mollusks, crustaceans, and demersal fishes. Additionally, ten related terms are explained, and two main problems are identified: unclear meanings and repeated definitions. Next, the advantages of indicator species and their limitations in practical applications are discussed, considering human, species-specific, and environmental factors. Finally, specific examples of the application of indicator species are presented in ecological monitoring, habitat selection, and ecological early warning. Through this multi-dimensional introduction of indicator species, further discussions are expected to be stimulated, and their application and development in marine ecology promoted, thereby enhancing their role in habitat and ecological environment selection and assessment in the future.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989424004669Indicator speciesEcological assessmentMacrobenthosEnvironmental monitoring
spellingShingle Wanhong Han
Qingxi Han
Macrobenthic indicator species: From concept to practical applications in marine ecology
Global Ecology and Conservation
Indicator species
Ecological assessment
Macrobenthos
Environmental monitoring
title Macrobenthic indicator species: From concept to practical applications in marine ecology
title_full Macrobenthic indicator species: From concept to practical applications in marine ecology
title_fullStr Macrobenthic indicator species: From concept to practical applications in marine ecology
title_full_unstemmed Macrobenthic indicator species: From concept to practical applications in marine ecology
title_short Macrobenthic indicator species: From concept to practical applications in marine ecology
title_sort macrobenthic indicator species from concept to practical applications in marine ecology
topic Indicator species
Ecological assessment
Macrobenthos
Environmental monitoring
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989424004669
work_keys_str_mv AT wanhonghan macrobenthicindicatorspeciesfromconcepttopracticalapplicationsinmarineecology
AT qingxihan macrobenthicindicatorspeciesfromconcepttopracticalapplicationsinmarineecology