Condition indicators are the link between the conservation objective for a habitat or species and the monitoring project. They differ from the conservation objective by:

1. Describing the evidence that we will collect to give us confidence that we are achieving the aims stated in the Conservation Objective;
2. Combining upper and lower limits (or restoration targets) with concise and site-specific definitions of habitat condition; and
3. Allowing us to develop and apply efficient and reliable monitoring methods to inform site management

In effect, condition indicators are an ecological shorthand for defining habitat conditions. A document describing a process for developing site-specific condition indicators can be found here.