Biological Monitoring of Environmental Contaminants (Plants) - Executive Summary

A wide range of contaminants enter terrestrial, freshwater and marine habitats. Concentrations of specific contaminants can be measured by physicochemical methods; however, the response of plants to elevated concentrations is modified by other environmental factors such as moisture and nutrient status, by interactions between contaminants and by the physiological stage of the plants. The integrated effects of these factors and contamination are assessed by monitoring the plants directly.