Surveying macro-invertebrate diversity in the Tons river, Doon Valley, India

Abstract

A survey of macro-invertebrates and their monthly variations occupying the Tons river in Doon Valley was conducted from August 2003–July 2004. Macro-invertebrate collections and water samples were taken from three sampling stations every month during the period of study. All the hydrological attributes were measured monthly for 1 year. The present study showed that the water velocity, hydromedian depth, turbidity and dissolved oxygen and nature and size of the bottom substrates do play a major role in determining the macro-invertebrate diversity of Tons river. The ecological relevance of the measured hydrological attributes was investigated by comparing their degree of correlation with invertebrate density and diversity. The Shannon–Wiener index (H′) of macro-invertebrates was found to be highest (3.60) during spring season (February and March) and lowest (2.59) during monsoon season (July and August). The high values of diversity index of macro-invertebrates at all the three sampling sites indicate diverse macro-invertebrate communities in the Tons river in Doon Valley, India.