f loral and f aunal d iversity in m iddle g anga ecology and biodiversity in ganga river actions...
TRANSCRIPT
FLORAL AND FAUNAL DIVERSITY IN MIDDLE GANGA
Ecology and Biodiversity in Ganga Ecology and Biodiversity in Ganga River River
Actions required for Eco-restorationActions required for Eco-restoration
Saturday, August 6, 2011PBCEC, IIT Kanpur
STUDY-AREA OF THE GANGA RIVER FROM
HARIDWAR TO VARANASI
PHYTOPLANKTON (ALGAE)The biotic community of middle stretch is very richTotal 373 species and 112 genera of phytoplankton, only 27 genera are common to all stretchThe diversity increases from MG3-MG5Abundant genera: Melosira, Gomphonema, Fragillaria, Synedra, Nitzschia, Navicula, Cyclotella,Cymbella, Achnanthes,Pediastrum, Scenedesmus, Spirogyra, Crucigenia, Cosmarium, Closterium, Spirulina, Phormidium, Merismopedia, Oscillatoria, Anabaena, Euglena, Ciratinum
ZOOPLANKTONTotal 44 genera & 65 species of zooplanktonRotifers are most abundant, mainly Brachinous, KeratellaOnly 2 genera (Keratella, Notholca) are common for all stretchThe Euglena is the characteristic species at MG5MG4 is very rich in zooplankton
PHYTOBENTHOS (ALGAE)Total 60 genera &124 species of phytobenthos, in which only 9 genera are common for all stretchNavicula & Cymbella; abundant at all stretchesPediastrum & Scenedesmus; abundant at MG1The diversity is decreasing from MG1-MG3
ZOOBENTHOS (MACROINVERTEBRATE)
Total 14 Order & 60 Families of ZoobenthosThere is no proper trend in ZoobenthosDiptera; abundant at all stations while Trichoptera at MG1 & Ephemeroptera at MG4Hydropsychidae, Baetidae, Chironomidae,Tabanidae, Hirudinea & Annelida are common for all stretch
THE CHARACTERISTIC TAXA AND THE ECOLOGICAL PREFERENCES OF
LOWER ORGANISMSCharacteristic Taxa
Dwelling Habits & Habitat
Feeding Habits & Habitats
Breeding ground
Zones
Diatoms (Bacillariophyceae)
Pools, Riffles, runs
Filter-feeders, stony substrate (C; P), sand & plant debris
Deep pools with sandy substratum
MG2, MG3
Diatoms (Bacillariophyceae)Green Algae (Chlorophyceae)
Riffles, runs, pools, sand & plant debris
Filter-feeder, stony substrate (C; P), sand & plant debris
Stony substrate (C; P), sand, Silt & Clay
MG1, MG3, MG4
Rotifers Pools, runs & riffles
Pools, runs, riffles; On dead or decomposing organic materials & Primary producers
Pools, runs & Riffles MG2, MG3, MG4
Cladocera Pools, runs & riffles
Pools, runs, riffles; crops of planktonic algae and bacteria & on detritus
Pools, runs & riffles MG2, MG3
Euglenales Runs & riffles Mainly feeds on bacteria & debris
Runs & riffles MG4
Two Wing Fly (Diptera)
Sand/Silt substratum
Collectors, feeds on FPOM
Sandy substratum and breeding season premonsoon (May-June)
MG1, MG3, MG4
Caddish Fly (Trichoptera), Beetle (Coleoptera)
Stony substratum
Shedders/Collectors feeds on CPOM & FPOM
Stony substratum and breeding season premonsoon (May-June)
MG1
NEKTON (FISHES)Total 140 species under 25 Families of FishesCyprinid fishes are most common Labeo calbasu, Labeo rohita,Cirrhinus mrigala, Cirrhinus reba, Bagarius bagarius, Barilius bola, Barilius daniconius, Channa striatus, Clupisoma gaurua, Heteropneustes fossilis, Labeo gonius, Rita rita, Mystus tengara, Sperata seenghala & Mastacembelus armatus, are the common fishes for all stretchNemochilus, Puntius, Mystus, Labeo, Barilius & Channa are the dominant genera for all stretch
MAJOR CARPS
CAT FISHES
EXOTIC CARPS
THE CHARACTERISTIC TAXA AND THE ECOLOGICAL PREFERENCES OF
IMPORTANT FISHESCharacteristic Taxa
Dwelling Habits & Habitat Feeding Habits & Habitats
Breeding Ground
Zones
Minor carps (Barilius, Puntius)
Column of side waters/ditches on the bank of small streams, 0.5 m-1.5m pools
Omnivorous: insects, phyto, zooplankton; Shallow pools & riffles, Backwater pools
Adults Breeding period from February to November
MG1
Major carps (Labeo, Cirrhinus)
Bottom dweller fish species and It inhabits fast flowing streams and rivers, 1.0m -3.0m, available deep water pools, temperature of 14C appears to be the minimum
Herbi-omnivorous, pools, runs, riffles
Water depth at breeding ground is 0.5- 1.0m, breeding period July to August
MG1-MG5
Cat Fishes (Mystus, Bagarius, Heteropneustes)
Sandy beds with deep water zone>1m and slow water current
Carnivorous, small insect, zoobenthos. bottom dweller
Giant cat fish, build nests where eggs can hatches and young ones can shelter, breeding in month of June to September
MG2-MG5
OTHER HIGHER VERTEBRATES
Turtles, Gharial and Others are commonly present from the Haridwar to Fatehgarh while the Dolphins are restricted only for the 3rd stretch from the Narrora to Fatehgarh,At 5th stretch from Allahabad to Varanasi the higher forms of vertebrates are not present.
THE CHARACTERISTIC TAXA AND THE ECOLOGICAL PREFERENCES OF
IMPORTANT HIGHER VERTEBRATESCharacteristic Taxa
Dwelling Habits & Habitat
Feeding Habits & Habitats
Breeding ground
Zones
Turtles (Kuchuga kuchgua)
Found in shallow waters, on the banks
Adult turtles fed mainly on Chironomidae larvae & pupae & domestic waste
Nesting in December, Feb to April & Hatching in May
MG1, MG4
Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus)
Less interrupted basking sites, prefer more clayey island from sandy banks
Juvenile feed on small crustaceans, insects and frogs, whereas the adult feed mainly on marine fish
Nesting in dry season, preferred riverine sand banks
MG1, MG3
Dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica)
Mid-channel depths approx 2-4.5m, with bank depths greater than 1.45 m, and rocky & muddy substrates, average velocity 25.2-38.2 cm/sec
Catfish, carp, prawn, clams, turtles and occasionally birds
No specific birth period, females usually give birth from October-March, with a peak in December
MG2, MG3
Otter (Lutra lutra)
Deep pools Omnivorous, mainly Fishes
- MG2, MG3
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