It is time to consider time in biomonitoring studies.
(1) DIFAR, University of Genova, (2) DISTAV, University of Genova
Despite a huge amount of research into biomonitoring methods over the last few decades, there are still a number of issues that need to be addressed. For example, the temporal aspect of the response of organisms to the effects of pollution is still poorly understood. More generally, the importance of defining the actual time to which the biomonitor's response to the perturbation can be related is often underestimated or ignored in application work. In this communication, we briefly review the advantages and disadvantages of some biomonitoring methods with respect to the precise temporal definition of the response to the perturbation event, using examples from some of our research group's work. In particular, we will examine inferred responses using measures of lichen biodiversity and measures of bioaccumulation in tree bark, tree branches and lichen transplants. Based on this review, recommendations will be made to improve the temporal definition of biomonitoring studies and to integrate different biomonitoring methods to compensate for their different limitations.
Keywords: lichens, bark, bioaccumulation, bioindication, interpretation
