Study of Benthic Macro Invertibrates Communities of Narmada River in (M.P.)

The Macrobenthos study is very useful tool for the assessment of water quality in a type of water body and also contributes to understanding of the basic nature and general economy of the lake (Pawar et al. , 2006). The maintenance of a healthy aquatic ecosystem depends on the abiotic properties of water and the biological diversity of the ecosystem (Harikrishnan et al. , 1999). Macrobenthos abundance in a water body reflects the average ecological condition and, therefore, it may be used as an indicator of water quality. In natural waters such as oceans, lakes, rivers and swamps, the greatest amount of biological production is due to the smallest organisms, namely the plankton. These microscopic plants comprise communities that drift aimlessly with tides and currents, yet they incorporate and transfer large amounts of energy that they pass on to higher trophic levels. Thus communities of plankton, as distinct from those of swamp, forest, or grassland, support other communities of aquatic species and man (Welch 1998). In the present study 33 species of Benthic macro-invertebrates belonging to 5 groups were recorded from Narmada River. The population of benthic macro-invertebrates fluctuated in different seasons and months. The Benthic macro-invertebrates diversity was maximum in post monsoon and summer and was very low in monsoon season.