Odonate diversity reflected by wetland quality in Gujarat, India

Abstract

Odonate diversity reflected by wetland quality was carried out on three riverine wetlands (Fazalpur, Sankarda and Sindhrot) of Vadodara district in Central Gujarat during 2014-15. The value of Dissolve Oxygen (DO) and Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) was highest and the values of Electrical Conductivity (EC), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) as well as total solids in the water were lowest at Fazalpur as compared to other sites. Sankarda Point was slightly more polluted than Fazalpur with a marshy habitat structure which is ideal habitat for Odonates. Odonates diversity was evaluated during September and October at eleven wetland sites around Anand and correlated with water quality parameters. Maximum species richness and species diversity index were recorded at Pariej tank which was the least polluted point. Minimum species richness was observed at Navagam Canal 2 (8 Species) and Canal 1 (10 species) all having huge loads of industrial effluents. The correlation coefficient between the water quality parameter and diversity index (Hʹ) showed that pH had a significant moderate positive correlation (P < 5.0, df. 9) and BOD3 had a significantly higher positive correlation (P < 1.0, df. 9). EC, Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and Total Solids (TS) had negative correlation with Odonate diversity. COD and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) exhibited weak negative correlation with Odonate diversity.