B6.1.6 Monitoring Biodiversity

Question 1

How to monitor pollution?

Answer 1

Indicator species measure environmental quality

Question 2

How to monitor air pollution/sulfur dioxide/acid rain?

Answer 2

Lichens have no roots, most of their nutrition comes from air
Air pollutants damage lichen and prevent growth
Lack of lichens = high air pollution

Question 3

How to monitor water pollution?

Answer 3

More pollution = less oxygen dissolved in water
Mayfly larvae (need oxygen), decrease around sewage discharge point = more mayflies indicate lower pollution 
Sludgeworms (don’t like lots of oxygen) found right after sewage discharge point = more sludgeworms indicate high pollution