Bioindicator

Bioindicators

Monitoring changes in aquatic environments can be detected using bioindicators—organisms that serve as biological indicators of environmental quality. Their presence can provide insights into the resources within their habitat, reflecting past, present, and future ecological conditions (Swasta, 2003; Kopciuch et al., 2004; Sudarso, 2009; Bellinger & Sigee, 2010; Samways et al., 2010).

Certain guidelines for using ecological bioindicators include preferring stenotopic species (those with narrow environmental tolerance limits) over eurytopic species (those with wide tolerance limits), using adult species rather than juveniles, and ensuring the presence of definitive limiting factors before designating a species as a bioindicator (Odum, 1993). When using a single species as a bioindicator, the species should respond quickly to environmental changes, be stenotopic, have well-known taxonomy, possess reliable identification characteristics, and have a wide geographic distribution (Bellinger & Sigee, 2010).

Bioindicator species can be classified into five categories: sentinel species, which are highly sensitive to pollutants and often introduced to a habitat to provide early warnings of pollution; detector species, which are native to a habitat and can indicate measurable environmental changes (e.g., behavioral changes, mortality, morphological changes); exploiter species, which thrive in polluted environments due to reduced competition; accumulator species, which uptake and accumulate measurable chemical compounds; and bioassay species, which are used in laboratory tests to detect and quantify pollutants and rank pollutant toxicity levels (Spellerberg, 2005; Samways et al., 2010).

Examples of bioindicator use include lichens for air pollution monitoring (Wolterbeek et al., 2003; Das et al., 2011); Hydra, plankton, macroinvertebrates, and macrozoobenthos for water quality assessment (Handayani et al., 2001; Sekiranda et al., 2004; Suwondo et al., 2004; Setiawan, 2009; Huarachi & Gonzales, 2012); algae for identifying eutrophic status of water bodies (Dokulil, 2003; Bellinger & Sigee, 2010); and birds as bioindicators of chemical pollution and climate change (Becker, 2003; Dzugan, 2012).

The most efficient organisms for use as bioindicators in freshwater bodies are benthic macroinvertebrates (macrozoobenthos). Their abundance from upstream to downstream, ease of collection and identification, relatively long lifespan in various water conditions, limited mobility, and habitat preference make them ideal indicators (Wardhana, 1999; Handayani et al., 2001; Suwondo et al., 2004; Tjokrokusumo, 2006; Wijayanti, 2007).

Many researchers use macroinvertebrates to indicate pollution in freshwater bodies (Handayani et al., 2001; Sekiranda et al., 2004; Suwondo et al., 2004; Tjokrokusumo, 2006; Yimer & Mengistou, 2009). Insects, worms, snails, and crustaceans are particularly effective due to their high natural abundance, limited distribution, the simplicity of collection without special tools, short life cycles (≤1 year), and ease of observation (Tjokrokusumo, 2006).

The benefits of using insects to monitor aquatic environmental changes include their high abundance, significant ecological roles, lack of ethical issues in sampling, suitability for habitat monitoring, cost-effectiveness compared to other bioindicators due to passive trap sampling methods, ease of identification, and predictable responses to environmental changes (Shahabuddin, 2004; Gullan & Cranston, 2005).

Compared to physical and chemical parameters, bioindicators offer several advantages in monitoring water quality: they reflect overall water quality (integrating impacts of various environmental factors over time), provide direct measures of ecological impact, and offer reliable, quick, and inexpensive information to record conditions across aquatic environments (Bellinger & Sigee, 2010). The benefits of bioindicators include detecting environmental changes, serving as metrics or models for characterizing ecosystem quality, monitoring the negative impacts of industrial activities on the environment, and contributing to sustainable development by ensuring minimal industrial impact on the environment (Sauvolic et al., 2007).

References

Becker, P.H. 2003. Biomonitoring with Birds. In: Markert,B.A., Breure, A.M., Zechmeister, H.H., editors. Bioindicators & Biomonitors: Principles, Concepts and Applications. UK: Elseiver Science Ltd.

Bellinger, E.G., and D.C. Sigee. 2010. Fresh Water Algae: Identification and Use as Bioindicators. UK: John Willey & Sons, Ltd.

Dokulil, M.T. 2003. Algae as Ecological Bio-Indicators. In: Markert,B.A., Breure, A.M., Zechmeister, H.H., editors. Bioindicators & Biomonitors: Principles, Concepts and Applications. UK: Elseiver Science Ltd.

Dzugan, M., S. Zielinska, J. Heclik, M. Pieniqzek. 2012. Evaluation of Heavy Metals Environmental Contamination Based on Their Concentration in Tissue of Wild Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus L.). Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology, and Food Sciences, 2 (1): 238-245.

Gullan, P.J., and P.S. Cranston. 2005. The Insect: An Outline of Entomology. UK: Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Handayani, S.T., B. Suharto, Marsoedi. 2001. Penentuan Status Kualitas Perairan Sungai Brantas Hulu dengan Biomonitoring Makrozoobentos; Tinjauan dari Pencemaran Bahan Organik. Jurnal Biosain, 1 (1): 30-38.

Huarachi, R., and R. Gonzales. 2012. Hydra vulgaris pallas (Hydrozoa:Hydridae) as Bioindicator of The Water Quality of The River Chili, Arequipa, Peru. The Journal of Biologist, 10 (2) : 125-137.

Kopciuch,G., B. Berecka, J. Bartoszewicz, B. Buszewski. 2004. Some Considerations About Bioindicators in Environmental Monitoring. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies (PJES), 13 (5): 453-462.

Odum, E. P. 1993. Dasar-Dasar Ekologi. Yogyakarta: Gajah Mada University Press.

Samways, M.J., M.A. McGeoch, T.R. New. 2010. Insect Conservation; A Handbook of Approaches and Methods. New York: Oxford University Press Inc.

Sauvolic, D., R. Biocanin, B. Rodriquez. 2007. Serbia: Bioindicators in Human Environment.

Sekiranda, S.B.K., J. O. Okumu, F.W.B. Bugenyi, L.M. Ndawula, P. Gandhi. 2004. Variation in Composition of Macro-Benthic Invertebrates as an Indication of Water Quality Status in Three Bays in Lake Victoria. Uganda Journal of Agricultural Science, 9 : 396-411.

Setiawan, D. 2009. Studi Komunitas Makrozoobenthos di Perairan Hilir Sungai Lematang Sekitar Daerah Pasar bawah Kabupaten Lahat. Jurnal Penelitian Sains, 9: 67-72.

Shahabuddin. 2004. Potensi dan Metode Penggunaan Serangga Sebagai Bioindikator Kesehatan Hutan (Potential and Methods of Using Insects as Bioindicator of Forest Health). IPB: Program Doktoral Entomologi Pertanian.

Spellerberg, I.F. 2005. Monitoring Ecological Change. UK: Cambridge University Press.

Sudarso, Y., Y. Wardiatno, I. Sualia. 2008. Pengaruh Kontaminasi Logam Berat di Sedimen terhadap Komunitas Bentik Makroavertebrata: Studi Kasus di Waduk Saguling-Jawa Barat. Jurnal Ilmu –ilmu Perairan dan Perikanan Indonesia, 15 (1) : 49-59.

Sudarso, Y. 2009. Potensi Larva Trichoptera sebagai Bioindikator Akuatik. Jurnal Oseanologi dan Limnologi, 35 (2) : 201-215.

Suwondo., E. Febrita, Dessy, M. Alpusari. 2004. Kualitas Biologi Perairan Sungai Senapelan , Sago, dan Sail di Kota Pekanbaru Berdasarkan Bioindikator Plankton dan Bentos. Jurnal Biogenesis, 1(1): 15-20.

Swasta, I. B.J. 2003. Diktat Ekologi Hewan. Singaraja: Jurdik Biologi Undiksha.

Tjokrokusumo, S.W. 2006. Bentik Makro-invertebrata sebagai Bioindikator Polusi Lahan Perairan. Jurnal Hidrosfir, 1(1): 8-20.

Wardhana, W. 1999. Perubahan Lingkungan Perairan dan Pengaruhnya terhadap Biota Akuatik. Depok: Jurusan Biologi Universitas Indonesia.

Wijayanti, H. 2007. “Kajian Kualitas Perairan di Pantai Kota Bandar Lampung Berdasarkan Komunitas Hewan Makrobenthos” (tesis). Semarang: Universitas Diponegoro.

Wolterbeek, H.T., J. Garty, M.A. Reis, M.C. Freitas. 2003. Biomonitors in Use: Lichens and Metal Air Poluttion. . In: Markert,B.A., Breure, A.M., Zechmeister, H.H., editors. Bioindicators & Biomonitors: Principles, Concepts and Applications. UK: Elseiver Science Ltd.

Yimer, H.D., S. Mengistou. 2009. Water Quality Parameters and Macroinvertebrates Index of Biotic Integrity of The Jimma Wetlands, Southwestern Ethiopia. Journal of Wetland Ecology, 3: 77-93.