Biosurvey

A biosurvey, or a biological survey, is a scientific study of organisms to assess the condition of an ecological resource, such as a water body.

They involve collection and analysis of animal and/or plant samples which serve as bioindicators.

They are conducted according to published procedures to ensure consistency in data collection and analysis, and to compare findings to established metrics.

Biosurveys may identify pollution problems that are difficult or expensive to detect using chemical testing procedures.

[1] A biosurvey may be used to generate an index of biological integrity (IBI), a scoring system for an ecological resource.