Assessing ecological integrity of Barna stream network of Narmada River basin by using macrozoobenthic communities

Abhilasha Bhawsar; Manzoor Ahmad Bhat; Vipin Vyas

Volume : IV, Issue : X, October - 2015

Assessing ecological integrity of Barna stream network of Narmada River basin by using macrozoobenthic communities

Abhilasha Bhawsar, Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, Vipin Vyas

Abstract :

In the present study, the benthic diversity and physicochemical properties were evaluated to assess the ecological integrity of Barna stream network. During the study, a macroinverteate based new biotic index (MWQI) was evaluated against some of the biotic and abiotic indices viz., BMWP Index, Hilsenhoff �s Index, National Sanitation Foundation Water Quality Index (NSFWQI, USA), Water Quality Index (WQI). The results showed that on the basis of MWQI the waters at Barna and Satdhar streams were of �Excellent� quality; at Jamner and Narheri streams the water was of �Very good� quality; at Palakmati stream it was found of �Worst� quality and at Chamarsil stream it was of �Good� quality which confirmed the fact that occurrence of benthic macroinverteates reflects the natural health of a stream/river and that they can be used in predicting the ecological integrity of the water bodies. The present survey is the preliminary work towards assessing the ecological health of the Barna stream network thus, forms the basis for any other research work in future.