brip 2011 conference saturday, november 4, 2011, outreach, iit kanpur byby
TRANSCRIPT
BRiP 2011 Conference
Saturday, November 4, 2011,
Outreach, IIT Kanpur
by
Ecology and BiodiversityOf
Ganga River Basin
Objectives of studyAssess present state of ecology and biodiversity in the main stem of Ganga River and its major
tributaries.
Identify characteristic species at selected locations for working out environmental flows.
Suggest species - indicating progress in Eco-restoration
Definitions of the terms used
Ecology- Major interdisciplinary science dealing with complex interactions of living organisms
(biotic) with environment (abiotic)
Study of structure and functions of nature
Biodiversity (Biological diversity)
An umbrella term including all living beings (terrestrial and aquatic)
Ecological characteristics, variability of genus, species, population and communities
(Biogeographic distribution, emigration and immigration)
Ecosystem- Unit of nature
Rivers- Constitute a lotic series of water
Constant motion, with longitudinal, lateral and vertical connectivity
Functions and services
Provide habitat for aquatic biological communities and maintain a good biodiversity
Maintain a flow regime
Nurture flood plains and combat land erosion by sea
Replenish nutrients in flood plains
Recharge ground water
Support livelihood and meet the needs of drinking water, agriculture, industry and community
Assimilate waste and purify itself
Facilitate navigation, recreation, tourism and play an important role in economics, culture and
spiritual life of society
River, function and services
Ecosys tems
Functional Components
Transport of Elements
Features of biochemical Cycling
Interactions
EnergeticProduction
Consumption
Fluxes of C, N, P, S
Mass balance
Wetlands
Terrestrial
Storages/Pondages
Artificial
Natural
Permanent
TransientDiara Lands
Riparian
Cultivated
ForestsGrasslands / Scrublands
Subsystems
Fresh water
Estuarine
Flowing
Main StemGangotri
To Farakka
Farakka to GangasagarHoogly - Matlah
Higher Vertebrates
Structural ComponentsAbioti
cBiotic
Chemical Characteristic
s
FlowSedime
nt Load
Habitat
Nutrients
Salinity
Decomposables
Recalcitrant
Dissolve Gases
Toxicants
Metals
Pesticides
Producers
Consumers
Decomposers
Phytobenthos
PhytoplanktonMacrophytes
Zooplankton
Macroinvertebates
Vertebrates
Zoobanthos
Fish
Bacterial FungusCulturable
Non Culturable
Aquatic
Extra Aquatic
Tributaries
Debate: Preserve natural ecology because it has “a priori” right
Or
Preserve the natural ecology because it provides goods and service
Ganga river system: One of the largest inland river basin catchment 0.86 million km2
Rises as Bhagirathi at Goumukh at the height of 4255m (a msl) Joins another head water of Alaknanda at Deoprayag and descends as Ganga Travel a total distance of 2525 km Important tributaries joining Ganga main stem are Alaknanda Mandakini, Pinder, Nandakini ) ,
Ram Ganga, Kali, Yamuna Chambal, Sind, Betwa, Ken ), Gomti, Ghagra, Gandak, Tons, Punpun , Bhuri, Gandak and Kosi )
Maintenance of natural order
Study area of the Ganga River
UG• UG1 (Gangotri to
Gangnani)• UG2 (Gangnani to
Devprayag)• UG3 (Devprayag to
Haridwar)
MG• MG1 (Haridwar to Bijnor)• MG2 (Bijnor to Narora)• MG3 (Narora to
Fatehgarh)• MG4 (Fatehgarh to
Allahabad)• MG5 (Allahabad to
Varanasi)
LG• LG1 (Varanasi to
Farakka)• LG2 (Farakka to
Gangasagar)
Water temperature: 4.3-19°C Annual rain
fall: 78 cmWater velocity: 2 - 3.3
m/s; 1.0 - 3.3 m/s; 0.1-3.0 m/s
Water temperature: 15 -30°C
Annual rain fall: 104 cm
Water velocity: 20 cm/sec
Water temperature: 23-35°C
Annual rain fall: 182 cm
253 km
925 km
1347
km
UG I (Gangotri to Gangnani)/ Biodiversity
High flow velocities and low temperature (4.3-9.8°C) are the major factors for low biodiversity in this stretch
Less influenced by human interventions and the only organic input is lignocellulosic materials Clean and clear with low depths and high transparency Major habitat: Rapids, riffles and pools Substrate: Mature boulders, rocks and pebbles
Biotic components Majority of biotic components represented by the diatoms In the lower stretch three taxa of green algae have been identified Periphyton is the only producer factor which supports zoobenthos represented by stone flies
and caddis flies Dragon and damsel flies are conspicuous by their absence The predator, stone fly is top consumers in food chain due to absence of fish population Zooplankton has not been reported in this zone No fish population from Gaumukh to Harsil
UG II (Gangnani to Devprayag)/ Biodiversity Large alterations in flows due to construction of number of number of hydel projects (Maneri
Bhali I and II Projects, and Tehri and Koteshwar Dams) Total 18 dams have been planned out of which 4 existing, 5 under construction and 9 proposed The flow at number of places has been reduced or no flow conditions exist due to the storages in dams and water in tunnels (Appox 82 km) Major habitat: Rapids, riffles and pools Substrate: Mature cobbles, pebbles and boulders Higher water temperatures (in the range 8.5-17.2°C) have also been recorded at Tehri
Biotic components The biota consists of periphyton, phytoplankton,
zooplankton and vertebrate population essentially fish Periphyton and phytoplankton are represented mainly by diatoms The zoobenthos are dominated by may fly and dipterans Important fishes reported in this sub stretch include minor carps, major carps and trout The fishes migrate towards upper reaches in August-October in
search of suitable breeding environment The migration of fish for breeding has been largely altered by the barriers and diversions
(barrages, dams and tunnels)
UG III (Devprayag to Haridwar)/ BIodiversity
Devprayag is the confluence point of the rivers Bhagirathi and Alaknanda Before reaching Rishikesh, it joins a tributary, Nayar, which is reported as breeding ground for
the of Mahseer (Tor sp.) Major habitat: Rapids, riffles and pools Substrate: Mature cobbles, pebbles and boulders Clean and clear water with high transparency and moderate depth at most of the places and
higher water temperature
Biotic components Phytoplankton, periphyton, zooplankton, zoobenthos and fishes constitute the biota in this
stretch Periphyton are mostly represented by diatoms. The number of taxa varies from 10 to 77 The phytoplankton comprises mostly Diatoms, green and blue green algae have also started
appearing Zooplankton is scanty consisting of ciliates. A few rotifers and crustaceans also are reported In zoobenthos, may fly and dipterans are common Important fishes reported in this sub stretch include minor carps, major carps (Labeo sp.),
Mahseer (Tor sp.) and catfishes
Biological Community of Upper Ganga
0102030405060 UG1 UG2 UG3
Algal type (Families)
Num
ber
of
Taxa
Diatoms Green algae
Blue green algae
020406080
100120
UG1 UG2 UG3
Algal type (Families)
Num
ber
of
Taxa
Total number of genera and species increases is minimum in UG3 due to river enters in to gorge and lack proper substratum Diatom is dominant group in all the zones and number of species The number of species in green algae and blue green algae increases from UG1 to UG3
Order Family0
10
20
30
5
17
9
29
7
16
UG1 UG2 UG3
Taxa
Num
bers
Phytoplankton (Algae)
Total number of orders and families increases from UG1 to UG2 & decrease at UG3May fly and two wing fly are dominant at UG2 The number of families in stone fly decreases, while Dragon & damsel fly increases from UG1 to UG3 due to lack of preferred substrate
May fly
Stone fly
Blue green algae
Diatom
Periphyton (Algae)
Diatom constitutes dominant group in all the zones
Green algae, blue green algae and Euglena increase from UG 1 and UG 3
Yellow green algae appeared only in UG2
Zoobenthos (Macro invertebrates)
Water velocity is low due to the almost horizontal flow Temperature is higher than upper Ganga (15-30°C) Flood plains are prevalent Flow in plains meander on sand bed Abstraction of water in the river is from 3 canals upper Ganga canal, middle Ganga canal
and lower Ganga canal Human interactions like bathing and cremation activities are very high and inflow of
polluted tributaries. Large in flows of wastes from agricultural, domestic and industrial sources. Treated, partially
treated and untreated
Features of Middle Ganga
BIO
DIV
ER
SIT
Y O
F M
G 020406080
100120 Distribution of phytoplakton in the
middle stretch of Ganga river from Haridwar to Varanasi
MG1 MG2 MG3 MG4 MG5
Name of families
Num
ber
of
Taxa
01020304050
Distribution of periphyton in the middle stretch of Ganga river from
Haridwar to FatehgarhMG1 MG2 MG3
Name of groups
Num
ber
of
Taxa
0
5
10
15
20Distribution of zooplankton in the middle stretch of Ganga river from
Haridwar to VaranasiMG1 MG2 MG3
Name of groups
Num
ber
of
Taxa
Total 114 genera and 375 species of phytoplankton27 genera are common to all stretchDiversity increases from MG1-MG5Diatoms are dominating over green algae and blue green algae
Total 42 genera & 65 species of zooplanktonRotifers are most abundant, mainly Protozoans are maximum in MG4MG4 is very rich in zooplankton
Total 62 genera &112 species of periphyton.The diversity is decreasing from MG1-MG3Most dominant community is Diatoms followed by green algae
Total 33 Order & 89 Families of ZoobenthosNo proper trend in ZoobenthosDiptera are abundant at all stations Trichoptera and Coleoptera at MG1 & Ephemeroptera at MG4Annelids represented by Oigochaetes and PolychaetesPopulation of macrobenthic fauna decreases from Haridwar to Varanasi
Middle stretch is very productive in fish resources Total 138 species under 25 families are present Major carps & cat fishes are most important Some exotic fishes have been reported after confluence of Yamuna after Allahabad (China carp, Tilapia) Important commercial fishes are Labeo rohita (Rohu), Bagarius bagarius, Rita rita, Catla catla, Labeo calbasu, Cirrhina mrigala, Mystus (Sperata), Wallago, etc This stretch of Ganga is polluted with domestic waste and industrial waste Nutrients (N & P) are in sufficient quantities to support algal growth, food for carps
Nekton (Fishes)
Higher vertebrate are represented by Turtles, Ghariyals and Dolphins
Hard shell turtles are dominated over soft shell. Common between Bijnor and Allahabad
Ghariyals are found at downstream Narora barrage. Estimated number are only 3
Dolphins are common between Bijnor and Narora. Have been spotted at Kanpur downstream barrage in post monsoon season
Higher Vertebrates
Features of Lower Ganga (LGA) Fresh water zone approximately of 624 km from Varanasi to Farakka Water temperatures are higher 23-35°C Velocity of water is also higher due to the confluence of major tributaries From Varanasi to Farakka slope is appreciably reduced, indicating siltation Sediment load is very high and substrate is silt over sand Flood plains are very commonBiotic components:
Phytoplankton: Blue green algae are dominant with 79 species Diatoms are represented by 73 species followed by 46 species of green algae Some species of other groups are also found
Zooplankton:
Rotifers (33 species) are dominant, followed by Cladocerans (10 species), Copepods and Protozoans
Macroinvertibrates Molluscs constitute the major group, soft substrate (51 species) Annelids are also common (Polychaetes, Oligochaetes)
LGA (Varanasi to Farakka)/ Biodiversity
Biotic components
Fishes Sustains 114 species of fishes belonging to 28 families
and 70 genera The most important group is Carps, include 39 species The characteristic group of fishes are major carps,
large catfishes & other cat fishes Some commercially important fishes are Catla- catla,
Labeo rohita, Labeo- calbasu, Cirrhina mrigala Exotic fishes are Chinese carp (Cypribus carpio),
Tilapia (Oreochromis nilaticus), Hypothalmichlhys molitris are in sufficient numbers and comptete with common Carps
Commercially important fish Hilsa ilisha has literally disappeared after the construction of Farakka barrage
LGB (Farakka to GangaSagar)/ Biodiversity It is the largest estuarine system (Hoogly Matlah Estuary) in India Characterized by mixing of fresh water and regular tidal influxes Create a steady gradient of marine and fresh water. (Salinity varies between 0.02-30 gm/l) Extends 300 km North- South 150 km East- West 8029 sq. km area The Sunderbans where tide dominates is 2340 sq. km Temperatures vary between18-31°C Biodiversity is largely controlled by fresh water flux, nutrient inputs and changing
environmental conditions Substrate is largely silt over sand Biodiversity is distinct from the fresh water zone
Biotic components:
Phytoplankton: Total Taxa reported 817
Genera reported 194
Blue green algae > green algae > Diatoms.
LGB (Farakka to Ganga Sagar)/ BiodiversityOther Biotic components: Zooplankton is dominated by cnidarians (26 sp.) Rotifers (135 sp.) Chaetognatha, Copepoda and larval decapods Macrobenthos is represented by 137 sp. and 64 genera. Includes
Annelids- Polychaetes/ Oligochaetes
Protozoans- Cilliphora (193 sp.) Arthropoda (1143 sp.)- Crustaceans (173 sp.) ticks mites/ insects (344 sp.) Molluscs constitute a very large groups 25 sp. of Gastropoda, Bivalvia and Cephalopoda Echinoderms are exclusively marine
Starfishes, Sea urchisNekton:Fishes are present in large numbers 13 species are commercially important and represented by
HilsaBombay duckPolynemus
156 species of bony fishes and 13 species of Cartilaginous fishes are reportedThe annual catch of fish is about 20,000 tons/yearHigher vertebrates like Mugger and Dolphins are common
Microbial Biodiversity Biological diversity or “biodiversity” refers to the variety of living organisms. its provides
stability and balance in natural systems.
The microbial loop is a trophic path in the web of microbial food where dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is returned to higher trophic levels via the incorporation into bacterial biomass.
Microbes play an important role in to degrade a vast variety of complex organic compounds due to their metabolic versatility (Grime, 1997).
Microbes work as efficient decomposers and scavengers to clean up the environment (Maire et al, 1997).
Microbes are indicators of ecosystem function. By measuring amount of growth, respiration, and uptake of nutrients, their specific processes like nitrification, denitrification etc. would tell us about the function of the ecosystem.
Microbes carry out recyling of phosphorus, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen and sulphur elements and replenish the environment with these by degrading substrates obtained from dead and decaying plant and animal remains.
Ganga River is a complex ecological niche as it accommodates a diverse community of microbial population.
Apart from coliforms and undesirable bacteria, a loss in the count of normal bacteria in Ganga water would indicate failing ecosystem health.
S No Sampling Station River Total Bacterial
CountMost predictable bacterial
species found
01 Rishikesh Ganga 1.52E+08 12
02 Haridwar Ganga 1.11E+08 1803 Bijnour Ganga 1.27E+08 1104 Narora Ganga 1.07E+09 1705 Farrukhabad Ganga 9.39E+08 1406 Farrukhabad Ramganga 1.50E+11 1307 Kannuaj
Ganga Ramganga 1.43E+11 1408 Kannuaj Kali 1.89E+11 1409 Kannuaj Ganga Mix 1.69E+11 1310 Kanpur Bithoor 1.78E+11 1311 Kanpur Jajmau 2.54E+13 12
Microbial Biodiversity in Ganga River
Sampling Station
CF
U/M
L
0
3e+13
0.0
2.0e+8
4.0e+8
6.0e+8
8.0e+8
1.0e+9
1.2e+9
Microbial Biodiversity
189 species of fishes in fresh water system 169 species of fishes in estuarine system Support growth of 458 taxas of algae 206 Diatoms 128 Green algae 27 others 10 Protozoans 33 Rotifers 17 Crustaceans 73 Families of insects in Zoobenthos 52 Molluscs 25 Annelids 16 Arthopods 13 species of Hard and Soft turtles Gangatic Ghariyals Gangatic Dolphins
Ganga River Supports/ Total Biodiversity
Large obstruction in water flow by constructing Dams and barrages leaving no space for river to perform its functions
Pouring filth and decomposable/ non-decomposable, even toxic substances in the river which adversely effect and destroy aquatic life
Sufficient dilution not available for river to assimilate and purify itself Making river banks dirty and water so foul that society ceases to reach the river for bathing,
recreation or rituals
Causes of River Degradation
Necessary actions for maintaining desired river conditions Ganga River ecosystem is by and large and altered ecosystem - No reference condition is available Intervention to improve the abiotic components and maintain water quality Pollution prevention and reducing water abstraction Identification of fish species at critical sites Maintenance of indigenous species of flora and fauna (P/R ratio, saprobity index) Maintenance of ecological flows and substrate conditions for survival and breading of identified
indicator species Average fish catch during 1950-1980 could be set as a target Other targets could be
1. Appearance of Dolphins with suggested frequency of sighting
2. Indian Major carps
3. Native and sensitive species of stone/ cadis and may flies
4. Ratio of Diatoms/ Green Algae/ Blue Green Algae