Definitions for "Environmental indicators"
measures of physical, chemical, biological, social, cultural or economic factors which best represent the key elements of complex ecosystems or environmental issues
an information tool that allows the measurement of environmental, economic and social trends. Indicators can provide both a snapshot of a current situation, and the means to observe changes over time (Environment Australia website). Examples of indicators include energy usage on site for a unit of production (kWh/product), number of accidents on a site per year, and the cost of producing an individual product ($/product).
Scientific measurements that help measure over time the state of air, water, and land resources, pressures on those resources, and resulting effects on ecological condition and human health. Indicators show progress in making the air cleaner and the water purer and in protecting land.
Organisms or physical factors that serve as a gauge for environmental changes. More specifically, organisms with these characteristics are called bioindicators.