environmental indicators Flashcards
what is an environmental indicator?
An environmental indicator is a way of assessing the overall conditions of an environment.
how do environmental indicators help us analyse an environment
they are most important for showing us how humans effect the overall environment.
what are environmental indicators ultimately used for?
They act as a early warning sign, so that people can respond quickly to the issue.
how can environmental indicators be monitored (choose 3)?
field sampling, field observation, remote sensing, trapping, existing data.
what are the 4 environmental indicators?
physical, biological, chemical and socio-economic.
what is a physical indicator?
a physical indicator measure physical features of an environment.
name 3 example of physical indicators.
rock/soil composition, erosion, speed of flow from a river.
what is a chemical indicator?
a chemical indicator measures the chemical components of an ecosystem.
name 3 examples of chemical indicators.
phosphorus, nitrate, air quality (chemical components)
what are biological indicators?
measures the effects on plants, animals or any biological matter.
name 3 examples of biological indicators.
the distribution of koalas in an area, the variety of plant species, number of microbes.
what are socio-economic indicators?
measures how the disturbance of the ecosystem effects the human population.
name 3 examples of socio-economic indicators.
the amount of asthma related deaths in year, economic downfall from an oil spill, the setting or environmental regulations.
what are 3 things which make good environmental indicators?
has direct links from causes to effects without many variables, past scientific knowledge and statistics, should be the best measure of effect/or of the best.
name 3 examples of good environmental indicators.
the direct link between testing indicators at the source, eg: nitrate levels being tested at a water body.
using past global temperature figures and comparing them to now, to show an increase in temperature overall
a combination of testing phosphorus in soil (quantitative) and soil composition (qualitative).
