An analytical study of habitat degradation for amphibians at Jamshoro and Larkana districts, Sindh Pakistan

Abstract

The present study was proposed to evaluate quality of amphibian habitats in two main Districts: Jamshoro and Larkana of Sindh Province to determine whether they are protected from contamination or not. Present investigation consisted of field surveys and laboratory work conducted from March to October in year 2011, 2012 and 2013. At first, fields were explored to find amphibian habitations for water sampling from there, later on, water samples were shifted to the concerned laboratory for the analysis of parameters including pH, EC, TDS, T-Hard, T-Alk, Cl, SO4, PO4, NO2, NO3, CO2 and K using analytical equipment. Values of all parameters were measured and identified as highly above than favorable level at all the habitats at both study zones. Amphibian habitats in Jamshoro district consisted of pH: 8.1±0.6, EC: 2472.0±1079.3, TDS: 1642.4±682.0, T-Hard: 405.4±172.5, T-Alk: 337.0±71.0, Cl: 351.1±104.8, SO4: 441.9±131.5, PO4:398.8±110.5, NO2: 3.7±2.6, NO3: 6.3±3.4, CO2: 18.1±3.5 and K: 71.1±10.3. Meanwhile study conducted in Larkana district recorded the value of parameters as followed; pH: 7.8±0.7, EC: 2506.3±1139.1, TDS: 1712.1±581.2, T-Hard: 534.2±170.5, T-Alk: 284.4±65.9, Cl: 423.2±97.7, SO4: 451.8±122.1, PO4: 429.4±94.3, NO2: 4.5±2.4, NO3: 7.2±3.1, CO2: 18.5±3.7, K: 74.3±9.8. This study recorded wide-ranging water quality problems which may affect amphibian population badly mainly during initial stage of their life when they are more sensitive to environmental degradation.