Diversity and abundance of Odonata in parks and gardens of Pune city

Abstract

Man-made Parks and gardens play a vital role in maintaining urban insect diversity besides controlling pollution. The objective of this study was to find out the diversity and abundance of Odonates and to evaluate the importance of human-managed urban parks and gardens in supporting Odonata diversity. Thirty big and small parks and gardens of Pune city were surveyed during 2012-2013 at regular intervals to record the diversity of Odonates. A total of 1113 individuals were recorded comprising of 33 species under 6 families. The diversity and abundance of species depends on a number of factors like presence or absence of water bodies, size of the water bodies, level of human disturbances, shade cover, presence of emergent aquatic reeds, degree of pollution and garden management practice.