Fish and Habitat Research - Biological Indicies
After much careful study, environmental scientists have determined that the presence, condition, and numbers of the types of fish, insects, algae, and plants can provide accurate information about the health of a specific river, stream, lake, wetland, or estuary. These types of plants and animals are called biological indicators.
Trout
An indicator is a sign or signal that relays a complex message, potentially from numerous sources, in a simplified and useful manner. An ecological indicator is defined here as a measure, an index of measures, or a model that characterizes an ecosystem or one of its critical components.
An indicator may reflect biological, chemical or physical attributes of ecological condition. The primary uses of an indicator are to characterize current status and to track or predict significant change. With a foundation of diagnostic research, an ecological indicator may also be used to identify major ecosystem stress.
Science Services is currently engaged in the following projects relating to biological indicies:
- Ecological effects of riparian development along Wisconsin Lakes
- Field testing the Wisconsin Depressional Wetland Macroinvertebrate and Plant Indices of Biological Integrity for Application by Trained Volunteers [PDF 800KB]
- Macroinvertebrate Data Interpretation Guidance Manual [PDF 744KB]
- Refinement and Expansion of the Wisconsin Wetland Biological Index for Assessment of Depressional, Palustrine Wetlands
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