Evaluation of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities in Protected and Unprotected Wetland Ecosystems of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

This study evaluated benthic macroinvertebrate communities in protected and unprotected wetlands of the Bhopal region, Madhya Pradesh, India, over two consecutive years (2023-2025), covering four seasons: summer, monsoon, post-monsoon and winter. Five wetlands were surveyed, including two protected (Ratapani and Dahod Reservoirs) and three unprotected (Prem Talab, Nurganj Talab, and Jholiyapur Reservoir). Benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages were assessed as bioindicators of aquatic ecosystem integrity. A total of 68 species were recorded, with Arthropoda dominating, followed by Mollusca and Annelida. Protected wetlands exhibited higher species richness and diversity, whereas unprotected sites were dominated by pollution-tolerant taxa, reflecting the influence of anthropogenic pressures on community structure. These findings underscore the ecological significance of benthic macroinvertebrates in wetland health assessment and the need for conservation strategies to maintain ecosystem integrity.