What environmental indicator is NOT typically used to assess ecosystem health?

Ecosystem health is often assessed through various environmental indicators that reflect the state of the ecosystem and its ability to sustain life. Biodiversity, pollution levels, and species richness are all direct measures of ecological quality. Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms within an ecosystem, indicating resilience and stability. Pollution levels help gauge the extent of human impact and the presence of harmful substances that can degrade ecosystem functions. Species richness, which measures the number of different species in a given area, is another vital indicator of ecosystem health, as more species often correlate with a more robust ecosystem.

In contrast, the area of urban development does not serve as an effective measure of ecosystem health. Urban development typically reflects human activity and land use changes, which can lead to habitat destruction and fragmentation but does not provide direct information about the ecological interactions or the quality of the ecosystem itself. Therefore, this measure is more indicative of anthropogenic pressure rather than a direct health assessment of the ecosystem.