The article discusses the challenges and criteria for selecting ecological indicators to assess and manage environmental conditions. Ecological indicators are used to monitor environmental changes, provide early warnings, and diagnose environmental problems. However, three main concerns hinder their effective use: (1) monitoring programs often rely on a limited number of indicators, failing to capture the complexity of ecological systems; (2) vague long-term goals and objectives in management programs confound indicator selection; and (3) a lack of scientific rigor in management and monitoring programs due to the absence of defined protocols for identifying indicators. The authors propose that ecological indicators should meet several criteria, including being easily measurable, sensitive to stresses, predictable in response, anticipatory, integrative, having a known response to disturbances, and low in variability. The challenge is to develop a manageable set of indicators that collectively meet these criteria. The article emphasizes the importance of selecting a suite of indicators that represent the structure, function, and composition of ecological systems to effectively manage natural resources.The article discusses the challenges and criteria for selecting ecological indicators to assess and manage environmental conditions. Ecological indicators are used to monitor environmental changes, provide early warnings, and diagnose environmental problems. However, three main concerns hinder their effective use: (1) monitoring programs often rely on a limited number of indicators, failing to capture the complexity of ecological systems; (2) vague long-term goals and objectives in management programs confound indicator selection; and (3) a lack of scientific rigor in management and monitoring programs due to the absence of defined protocols for identifying indicators. The authors propose that ecological indicators should meet several criteria, including being easily measurable, sensitive to stresses, predictable in response, anticipatory, integrative, having a known response to disturbances, and low in variability. The challenge is to develop a manageable set of indicators that collectively meet these criteria. The article emphasizes the importance of selecting a suite of indicators that represent the structure, function, and composition of ecological systems to effectively manage natural resources.