Centre of Research for Development University of Kashmir, Srinagar- 190006

Date:_____________

Certificate
This is to certify that the Ph.D. thesis entitled Studies on Bottom Fauna (Macrozoobenthos) of Kashmir Wetlands is the original research work of Tehmina Yousuf for the award of degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology from University of Kashmir. The study has been carried under my supervision and that to the best of my knowledge, it is submitted for the first time.
.

Yousuf. Supervisor (Dean

Prof. A. R.

Prof. Azra N.Kamili. Academic Affairs / Director, Dean Biological Sciences) Centre of Research for Development. Centre of Research for Development. The University Of Kashmir, The University Of Kashmir, Srinagar-190006. Srinagar-190006.

All praises to Almighty Allah, the most Gracious and the most Merciful, who bestowed me patience, will and courage to complete my work successfully. I am highly obliged and wish to express my deep sense of gratitude and indebtedness to my esteemed teacher, Prof. A. R. Yousuf, Ph.D., FIFSI, FZSI, FNIE, Dean Faculty of Biological Science, Dean Academic affairs, University of Kashmir, for his unreserved, diligent enthusiastic guidance, supervision, suggestions, generous encouragement, timely help and constructive criticism during the course of study inspite of his busy schedule. I express my deep and sincere thanks to Professor Azra N. Kamili Head, Centre of Research for Development, for her encouragement and for providing required facilities in full during the period of the present assignment. I would not forget to mention the name of Prof. Ashok K. Pandit who has also guided me with great interest in my work. I express my gratitude to Dr. G. A. Bhat for his constant inspiration and encouragement.

I would also like to express my thankfulness to all the technical and non technical staff members of the CORD, Ms. Bilqis Qadiri in Laboratory assistance, Ms. Sumaira, Mr. Javed Ahmed, Mr. Fida Hussain, Ms Rifat, Mr. Khursheed, Mr. Hashim, Mr. Mohd. Yousuf, Mr. Farooq, Mr. Yasir for their cooperation and help during the course of study. I am highly obliged to Mr. Scott Lindroll and Ms. Shanda McGraw at Ecoanalysts, USA for identification and photography of macrozoobenthic specimens. My special thanks are due to my friends and research colleagues especially Dr.Feroz, Ms.Sameera, MsHumaira. Ms.Asima, Ms. Shaheen, Ms. Nahida, Mr. Arshid, Mr. Dilgeer, Mr. Aftab, Ms.Ufaq, Ms Nuzhat, Mr. Umer and other research colleagues for their valuable assistance at various times. They were always loyal and rendered sincerely all possible help whenever required during the course of my research work. Thanks are due to Wildlife Department, J&K Govt. for granting permission to enter the wetland premises to carry out field works. It is with pleasure, that I regard the blessings and good wishes of my parents who have been a source of inspiration throughout my career. I want to thank my sisters, mother in law and all family members, without whom it would have been impossible to complete my research assignment. Last but not least, it is the inspiration, well wishes, moral boosting, eternal love and indispensable

support of my husband that made me to complete this work and the patience that my children Urooj and Zaid have shown throughout the period of study.

(Tehmina)

Contents
Description INTRODUCTION REVIEW OF LITERATURE MATERIAL AND METHODS STUDY SITES Hokersar Wetland Hygam Wetland Mirgund Wetland METHODS 3. Physico-chemical characteristics of 2.1 water 3.2. Air Temperature 1.1 3.2.1.2 37 Water Temperature (C) 3.2.1.3 37 Depth (cm) 3.2.1.4 37 Transparency (cm) 3.2.1.5 37 pH 3.2.1.6 38 Conductivity 3.2.1.7 38 Total Dissolved substances 3.2.1.8 38 Dissolved Oxygen 3.2.1.9 39 Free Carbon dioxide 3.2.1.10 39 Alkalinity 3.2.1.11 39 Total Hardness 3.2.1.12 40 Calcium 3.2.1.13 40 Magnesium 3.2.1.14 40 Sodium 3.2.1.15 40 Potassium 3.2.1.16 40 Chloride 3.2.1.17 41 Orthophosphate Chapter Chapter I Chapter 2 Chapter 3 3.1 3.1. 1 3.1. 2 3.1. 3 3.2 Page No. 1 5 31 31 31 34 35 37 37 37

3.2.1.18 3.2.1.19 3.2.1.20 3.2.1.21 3.2.1.22 3.2.1.23 3.2 .2 3.2. 2.1 3.2.2.2 3.2.2.3 3.2.2.4

Total Phosphate Phosphorus (TPP) Nitrate-Nitrogen Nitrite Nitrogen Ammonical-Nitrogen Sulphate Silicates

41 41 42 42 42 43 43
43 43 43

Macrozoobenthos
Macrozoobenthos collection Identification Population Density 44 Diversity Indices / (a) Species diversity index (H ) (Shannon Wiener, 44 1963) (b) Equitability or Evenness index (Pielov, 1966). Cluster Analysis 44 45 45 45

3.2.2.5 3.2.2.6 3.2.2.7

Biomass Statistical Analysis

Chapter 4 RESULTS 4.1 Ecological Settings of the wetlands 4.1. Air Temperature 1 4.1.2 48 Water Temperature (C) 4.1.3 50 Depth (cm) 4.1.4 51 Transparency (cm) 4.1.5 53 Conductivity 4.1.6 54 Total Dissolved substances 4.1.7 55 Dissolved Oxygen 4.1.8 56 Free Carbon dioxide 4.1.9 pH 4.1.10 Alkalinity 4.1.11 Total Hardness 4.1.12 Calcium 4.1.13 Magnesium 4.1.14 Sodium 4.1.15 Potassium 4.1.16 Chloride 4.1.17 Orthophosphate 4.1.18 Total Phosphate Phosphorus (TPP) 4.1.19 Nitrate-Nitrogen 4.1.20 Nitrite Nitrogen 4.1.21 Ammonical-Nitrogen 4.1.22 Sulphate 4.1.23 Silicates 4. Cluster Analysis 2 4. Macrozoobenthos 3 4.3. Species Diversity 1

47 47 47

57 58 60 61 62 63 64 66 67 68 69 70 72 73 74 77 79 79

4.3.2 Species Taxonomy 4.3.3 Population Density 4.3.4 Seasonal Abundance 4.3.5. Diversity Indices 1 4.3.5. Evenness Index 2 4.3.5. Cluster Analysis 3 4.3.6. Macrozoobenthos Biomass 1 4.3.6. Percentage Composition of Biomass 2 DISCUSSION Chapter 5 Chapter 6 CONCLUSION and SUGGESTIONS Chapter 7 SUMMARY REFERENCES

83 91 107 109 109

110 111 113

115 139 143 153

Abbreviations Used

HOK HOK A HOK B HOK C HOK D HYG HYG A HYG B HYG C HYG D MIR A MIR B

= Hokersar = Hokersar inlet = Hokersar macrophyte infested region = Hokersar open water = Hokersar outlet = Hygam = Hygam inlet = Hygam macrophyte infested region = Hygam open water = Hygam outlet = Mirgund inlet = Mirgund open water