THE ROLE OF BIOMARKERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT .5. INVERTEBRATE POPULATIONS AND COMMUNITIES

Although a number of biomarkers of pollutant exposure have been identi fied in invertebrate species, direct linkage with changes at populatio n and/or community levels are poorly documented and, despite the ecolo gical importance of invertebrates, there is no conclusive evidence tha t individual measurements of biochemical parameters may allow the effe cts of pollutants on populations and communities to be predicted. Amon g the various biochemical parameters used as biomarkers in invertebrat es exposed to pollutants in the field, only those for which changes at population or community level can be suggested are discussed in the p resent review. At population and community levels, the development of resistance to pesticides and changes in behaviour, reproduction and de velopment are analysed as putative consequences of biochemical and phy siological alterations. Limits to the use of biochemical parameters as biomarkers of invertebrate exposure to pollutants are discussed. Futu re research trends and experimental approaches to the validation of in vertebrate biomarkers in environmental pollution assessment are sugges ted.