an animal species used to indicate the presence or absence of any particular factor, such as heavy metals

(a) Species that indicate the presence of certain environmental conditions, seral stages, or previous treatment. (b) One or more plant species selected to indicate a certain level of grazing use. cf. key species.

a species that has a sufficiently consistent association with some environmental condition (ecosystem) or other species that its presence can be used to indicate or predict that environmental condition or the potential for that other species being present.

those species that can offer early warning signs of ecological stresses.

a species of plant or animal whose presence or absence indicates the general health of the community upon which the species is most dependent. Generally, providing for the needs of the indicator species will also meet the needs of most other organisms in the community.

A species in a community or ecosystem that is more susceptible to disturbances than most other species.

species of plants used to predict site quality and characteristics.

A plant or animal species related to a particular kind of environment. Its presence indicates that specific habitat conditions are also present. The spotted owl is an indicator species of certain ecosystems (old-growth forests).

Species that can be used as a early indicator of environmental degradation to a community or an ecosystem. Compare with immigrant species, keystone species, and native species.

A species whose presence or absence in an area indicates certain environmental conditions.

an organism whose presence or absence in an area provides information on changes in the environment (accumulation of pollution, etc).

a species or group of species chosen as an indicator of, or proxy for, the state of an ecosystem or of a certain process within that ecosystem

An organism whose presence or state of health is used to identify a specific type of biotic community or as a measure of ecological conditions or changes occurring in the environment.

an organism so closely associated with an ecosystem that its presence or absence is indicative of the health of the ecosystem.

a species that is used as a gauge for conditions of a specific habitat, community, or ecosystem.

species with such specialized ecological needs that they can be used for assessing the quality, condition, or extent of an ecosystem on the basis of their presence and destiny, or the accumulation and effect of materials in their tissues.

changes in the abundance or distribution of these species indicates a change in the habitat which supports them

(or Indicator)— a species whose status (i.e., its presence, absence, or abundance) provides information on the overall condition of an ecosystem and of other species in that ecosystem. They reflect the quality and changes in environmental conditions, as well as aspects of community composition.

A species of plant or animal whose presence in an ecosystem is a sign that the ecosystem is healthy, or ecologically balanced.

a species whose progress is monitored by people as an indication of what is happening to the environment as a whole.

(1)vSpecies that indicate the presence of certain environmental conditions, range condition, previous treatment, or soil type. (2) One or more plant species selected to indicate a certain level of grazing use.

A species whose characteristics show the presence of specific environmental conditions and are representative of a certain habitat type or function.

A plant or animal species, the absence or presence of which can provide information about a given area.

Species that serve as early warnings that a community or ecosystem is being degraded. Compare keystone species, native species, nonnative species.

A species whose status provides information on the overall health of the ecosystem and of other species in that ecosystem. Indicator species reflect the quality and changes in environmental conditions as well as aspects of community composition.

A plant or animal species related to a particular kind of environment. Its presence indicates that specific habitat conditions are also present. ( FS People's Glossary of Eco Mgmt Terms)

a species, the presence or absence of which is indicative of a particular habitat, community, or set of environmental conditions

n: Species that serve as early warnings that a community or an ecosystem is being degraded. Fish and amphibians make particularly excellent indicator species. Large predators (those generally at the apex of the food pyramid) are also good indicators in many habitats.

A species that, through its population size or condition, mirrors environmental conditions within an ecosystem.

a species that manifests by its presence in its habitat the existence of certain environmental conditions.

The term Indicator species applies to animals or plants that are in some way an indicator species of the environment. As such they define a trait, or characteristic of the environment. The two most common uses of the term indicator species are when a "Range" or "ecoregion" is delineated, or when an indicator of an environmental condition is met, (for example a species being affected by a disease outbreak/infestation).