An ecological indicator is a measure or characteristic that provides an indication of the health, function or well-being of an ecosystem. There are several synonyms for this term, including bioindicator, environmental indicator, and ecological proxy. A bioindicator is a species or group of organisms that signal changes in the environment. An environmental indicator is a measurable parameter that reflects the state of the environment. Finally, an ecological proxy is any data point that can be used to describe the status of an ecosystem, such as the proportion of endangered species or the presence of pollutants. All of these synonyms are important for monitoring the state of our ecosystems and to develop strategies to protect them in the face of environmental challenges.