Journal of Environment and Sociobiology

S. R. Das ¹, N. C. Nandi ¹

Affiliations
1 Zoological Survey of India, M-B!ock, New Alipore, Koikata-700 053, IN

Abstract

Ichhamati river and its branches form one of the largest oxbow lake complex at Bangaon region of North 24-Parganas district. West Bengal. Among this lake complex, six lakes were seasonally surveyed during 1996-97 and 1997-98 and other four were explored during 1990-91. These oxbows had relatively rich faunal diversity including a variety of water birds. About s'txly species of fishes, seven species of amphibians, nine species of reptiies and various taxonomic categories of lower life-forms like insects (46 species), crustaceans (10 species), annelids (6 species), molluscs (23 species), and zooplankton (48 species) were recorded from oxbow waters. Besides agricultural and anthropogenic stresses, weed infestation particulariy with water hyacinth. Eichhoniia crassipes is a major concern devouring surface of lake waters. The results of environmental studies on water characteristics, lake flora and fauna, piscicultural activities as well as management practices and problems associated with these riverine wetlands of West Bengal have been discussed.

Keywords

Oxbow Lake, Environment, Management, Ichhamati River, West Bengal.

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S. R. Das ¹, S. G. Patil ¹, N. C. Nandi ¹

Affiliations
1 Zoological Survey of India, M-Block, New Alipore, Kolkata-700 053, IN

Abstract

Zooplankton diversity of two frestiwater and two brackisliwater wetlands of Goa hiave beeen investigated during 2001-02 and 2002-03. A total of 42 species of zooplankton have been recorded, of which 41 species arc from freshwater wetlands, 29 species from brackish wetlands/ fisheries and 28 species common to both categories. This shows higher diversity of zooplankton in freshwater wetlands than in the brackishwater wetlands in Goa. The population density of different zooplankton groups as measured in terms of number of organisms per 50 litres of water have revealed higher population densities in freshwater wetlands (165-342 / 50 L) in comparison to that in brackishwater wetlands (86-181 / 50 L). In general, premonsoon population is higher than postmonsoon population in freshwater wetlands, while postmonsoon population is higher than premonsoon population in brackishwater wetlands.

Keywords

Zooplankton, Wetlands.

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