indicator species

American  

noun

1. see indicator.

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indicator species Scientific  

1. A species whose presence, absence, or relative well-being in a given environment is a sign of the overall health of its ecosystem. By monitoring the condition and behavior of an indicator species, scientists can determine how changes in the environment are likely to affect other species that are more difficult to study.

2. Compare keystone species

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Example Sentences

It was a meadow pipit, a protected bird in China, and an important "indicator species" - that means if its numbers are thriving, so is its environment.

From BBC • Dec. 28, 2025

Polar bears are what is known as an indicator species, meaning they predict the health and viability of the broader Arctic ecosystem.

From New York Times • Jun. 13, 2024

In future, exploration teams could build up a database of indicator species and test an unknown site to find out if kimberlite deposits are buried beneath the soil.

From Science Daily • Oct. 24, 2023

Only by coming together — fishermen, farmers, tribal governments and nontribal governments — will we make progress on saving the Salish Sea’s indicator species, salmon, and all the populations they sustain, human and animal.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 25, 2022

The Klamath Tribes, who also have fish hatcheries of their own, say the c’waam and koptu are indicator species that show the entire Klamath Basin is in ecological jeopardy.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 22, 2021