Review of specific environmental indicators

Abstract

Indicators are used in almost every scientific field to quantify and/or record and/or follow the evolution of a specific parameter. Environmental indicators are related to the environment quality and are specifically used to monitor the quality of the environment and to measure the environmental performance. They can be categorized into specific, composite and personal environmental indicators. A review of the specific environmental indicators used in the literature are presented here. Specific environmental indicators include indicators related to the natural or to the anthropogenic environment. The specific environmental indicators for the natural environment are mainly related to climate change, reduction of the ozone layer, air quality, water quality, forest resources, fishing resources, biodiversity etc, while the specific environmental indicators for the anthropogenic environment are mainly related to socio-economic indicators, such as population, consumption, energy, waste, transportation, etc.