This study evaluates benthic foraminifera as indicators of environmental health in Brazil’s coastal waters and tests Foram-AMBI using a regional species list and criteria for ecological quality status (EcoQS). A total of 95 species were classified into five groups based on their response to total organic carbon. Data from Sepetiba Bay and Guanabara Bay validated these groups, showing that Foram-AMBI accurately reflects ecological conditions. The study highlights the importance of regional species lists for biomonitoring.