Diversity of Aquatic Insects and Function of Fluvial Ecosystem of Song River of Rajaji National Park, India
Aquatic insect diversity of Rajaji National Park, India has been monitored for a period of twelve months. Some of the important hydrological attributes were also measured in continuity of one-month interval. Aquatic insects were sampled from two sites (S1 and S2) of the Song River of the Rajaji National Park. A significant difference in the density (t=2.86455, p<0.05) and diversity (t=5.23425, p<0.001) of aquatic insects was found due to differences in physicochemical setup of aquatic environment of these sites. It was also revealed that the nature, size and composition of bottom substrates have their significant impact on the diversity of benthic aquatic insects. The diversity of benthic aquatic insects ranged from 3.0270-4.4561 indicating the good quality of water. A high diversity (4.1085-4.4561) among aquatic insects was recorded in winter months when the water was almost clear with moderate temperature and water current, and high dissolved oxygen in the Song river of Rajaji National Park.
