Study on odonata as health indicator of riparian ecosystem of Betwa River, Bhojpur, Raisen

Abstract

An indicator species is an organism that serves as a measure of the environmental conditions. In the present study Odonates (Arthropoda: Insecta) are used as a health indicator of the riparian ecosystem of Betwa river, Raisen (Division: Bhopal). A total of 30 species including 22 species of Anisoptera and 8 species of Zygoptera were recorded in four different Sites during the study period from July to December 2019. 23 species recorded from Site A (Riparian zone adjoining to Forest), 22 species recorded from Site C (Bhojpur Ghat), 21 species from Site D (Riparian zone adjoining to Agriculture field), and 16 species from Site B (Jain Temple). Site A was the most abundant habitat with 582 individuals (379 Anisopterans and 203 Zygopterans), followed by Site C with 517 individuals (338 Anisopterans and 179 Zygopterans), followed by Site D with 435 individuals (318 Anisopterans and 117 Zygopterans) and Site B with 200 individuals (184 Anisopterans and 16 Zygopterans) was the least abundant.