Mary Allen
Introduction: The Importance of Environmental Indicators
Environmental indicators are used to assess the health of ecosystems and provide insight into the impacts of human activities on the natural world. They are crucial for monitoring changes in the environment and identifying potential risks to human health. One group of organisms that has gained increasing attention as useful environmental indicators are bivalves.
Bivalves: A Brief Overview
Bivalves are a diverse group of aquatic organisms that include clams, oysters, and mussels. They are found in both marine and freshwater environments and play important ecological roles as filter feeders and nutrient recyclers. Bivalves are also important fisheries resources and are consumed by humans worldwide. However, their populations have been impacted by pollution, habitat degradation, overfishing, and climate change.