The invention relates to a method for monitoring a status of at least one component of a mechanical plant, in particular of a wind turbine, that comprises the following steps: (i) receiving an evaluation signal that is formed based on values of a measurement quantity recorded in the plant, (ii) determining at least one parameter data set on the basis of the evaluation signal as a function of a signal that is representative for a stress of the plant and/or based on a spectral analysis of the evaluation signal, (iii) evaluation of an indicator signal as a function of at least one parameter data set and determining the status of the component of the plant as a function of the indicator signal.