Indicator Species

What the heck does that mean?

Indicator species are living organisms that tell us that something has changed or is going to change in their environment. They can be easily observed and studying them is considered a cost-effective way to predict changes in an ecosystem. These species are also known as bioindicators.

Scientists monitor factors like the size, age structure, density, growth, and reproduction rate of populations of indicator species to look for patterns over time. These patterns may be able to show stress on the species from influences like pollution, habitat loss, or climate change. Perhaps more importantly, they can help predict future changes in their environment.

I can hear you asking for examples and, since I always make it a policy of mine to give my followers what they want, here are just a few:

• Lichen
• Spotted Owl
• Mayflies
• Salmon
• Marsh Periwinkles
• River Otters
• Salamanders
• Bats
• Monarch Butterfly

I have written about the Monarch Butterfly before; if interested, you can go back and find that blog, or you can follow the plight of the Monarch on their website “Journey North.” There is some fascinating stuff on that website; and if you are a teacher, it is a great resource.

Why care?  Come on, seriously, do I really need to tell all of you the importance of this information? As the indicator species goes, so goes we humans, and it really is as simple as that.  If you believe in the web of life, as I do, and if you believe we are all connected, all of mankind, all of mammals, all of insects, all of every organism on this planet, then caring is the very least we should do as inhabitants of this huge rock.

Take my hand and walk with me

Through fields wet with dew and dappled by the sun

Gasp at sights on bended knee

In reverence we will pray for wisdom from the One

Do you know the way?

The map’s in your soul, and the road’s in your mind.

It is there for us all, but for how much longer? Our lifetime? One more generation? Two? Or can Mother Earth shrug off the harm we have done and continue without our caution or stewardship?

How do we find the balance? Resources are needed for a growing population. Needs vs wants, the eternal struggle, bigger homes, bigger lawns, greener lawns, topple those trees, cement that valley, all in the name of progress, but who is progressing and who is falling behind? Eight billion needy plunderers, then eight-point-one, then….and every single one of them tip the scales and disrupt, corrupt and bankrupt. So where is the answer? Who among you has it? Stand up and share it with us all because we desperately need guidance and wisdom before we permanently screw the pooch for all future generations.

If I say “business wins,” who agrees with me? Let’s just keep building and damn the consequences. Who cares if there are parks? Who really needs greenbelts? There’s money to be made so who cares if you can’t breathe the air?

If I say the “environmentalists win,” who would board that train? No more construction, take care of the planet first and man second, save the whales, save the spotted owl, save the red-crested blue-gilled salamander and to hell with progress. Is that the path we should wander down?

You see, it ain’t easy, is it? I’m all for nature, but I also see the reality of either/or and that’s a no-win for us all.

So, we once again drop to our knees and beg for wisdom, beg for answers, beg for balance and compromise, compassion and common sense.

Take my hand and walk with me

Through concrete jungles bleached and choked by commerce

Gasp for breath on bended knee

In desperation we will pray help us please.

Do you remember the way?

Though the map’s in your soul, and the road’s in your mind.

Just something to think about.