Filling in the Gaps for Aquatic Ecosystem Conservation – Biomonitoring forBaseline Information and Capacity Building in Meghalaya, India

Sonali Saha,Reuben Shabong,Bakorshisha Kharjana,Ibamaian Pariong,Apbor R.Kharkongor,Bashida Massar,Amartya Saha,Shanwell Khongwir,Banri Dohling,Pynbitbha Rynjah,Darina Kharchandi,Banridor Kharbyngar,Marvellous B Lynser,Jane Kharbuddon,Sebastian Syngkli,Lucy Mary Jywra

doi:10.54081/jes.025/02

Abstract

This paper describes a stream biomonitoring program that builds capacity in undergraduate college students in the field of freshwater ecology and conservation. The program involves sampling of aquatic macroinvertebrates and hydrological parameters in streams of the state of Meghalaya, India. Several colleges from Shillong initiated short-term, one-year and long-term biomonitoring of streams in East Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi districts. Nine stream locations sampled over October-December in 2014 provided a snapshot of physical and biotic conditions, thus enabling the examination of spatial trends in water quality parameters and aquatic biota. A year-long sampling study from 2014-2015 provided a seasonal view of stream parameters at Lwai (clean) and Umkaliar (moderately polluted) streams. Results from both sampling sets suggest that turbidity negatively affected the richness of pollution sensitive taxa. Dissolved Oxygen values were lower in polluted streams and were non-significantly lower in summer than in winter. After an initial training in the field, the sampling was conducted by college students under supervision from their lecturers. Data obtained on macroinvertebrates adds to the sparse information available on stream ecosystems in the biodiversity-rich northeast Indian region. We hope the paper provides a template for monitoring of vital ecosystems in this and similar regions.

Highlights

Northeastern India is a region blessed with plentiful rainfall, streams and rivers, and is part of the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspot (Allen et al 2010)
While stream biomonitoring with benthic macroinvertebrates is a tool for guiding policy on setting effluent limits and water quality standards (Kennedy et al 2009), capacity building in freshwater ecology is a novel application of biomonitoring
Given the increasingly negative human impacts on aquatic ecosystems and their catchments, it is important for society to have a better understanding of the links between ecosystems and water resources, as well as to know how to monitor their local streams, thereby acting as sentinels for noticing adverse changes

Summary

Introduction

Northeastern India is a region blessed with plentiful rainfall, streams and rivers, and is part of the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspot (Allen et al 2010). Changing land use, growing water demands and pollution are rapidly altering water quality and quantity, and in the process destroying the diversity of life in the streams, rivers, lakes and wetlands in the Indian Northeast and tropical Asia in general (Dudgeon 2011, Massar and Saha 2016). There is very little information on freshwater aquatic ecosystem communities in the Northeast, or how these ecosystems are linked/maintained with water flow, quality, stream bank vegetation and watershed land use. There is very little public awareness of precisely how healthy aquatic ecosystems help maintain water quality in streams. As an initial means of addressing the lack of information, biomonitoring programs were developed in 2014 in several colleges in Shillong, Meghalaya in order to survey and monitor aquatic fauna, macroinvertebrates of Meghalayan streams along with hydrological data.

Results

Discussion

Conclusion