Topic 3 - Inter-relationships: Indicator Species

Question 1

Which living indicators could suggest that a river is polluted?

Answer 1

Blood worms and sludgeworms.

Question 2

What are indicator species?

Answer 2

They are organisms that can be studied to see the level of pollution in an area, because they are very sensitive to changes in their environment.

Question 3

Describe the role of blackspot fungus as a living indicator.

Answer 3

Blackspot fungus is found on rose leaves. It’s sensitive to sulfur dioxide in the air, so its presence will indicate clean air.

Question 4

Name two indicator species that are only found in clean water.

Answer 4

Stonefly larvae and freshwater shrimps.

Question 5

Describe the role of lichen as a living indicator.

Answer 5

Lichens are sensitive to sulfur dioxide in the air. The more that the air is polluted with sulfur dioxide, the fewer lichens there are. So, by looking at how many there are, we can get an idea of the level of air pollution.