Table of Contents
Ecosystem Assessment of Thol Bird Sanctuary: Benthic Macroinvertebrates Study by M. H. Bhadrecha (2018)
Introduction
Wetlands are ecological treasures—dynamic ecosystems that sustain biodiversity, purify water, and regulate hydrology. Yet, they are among the most threatened habitats, facing pressure from urbanization, agriculture, industrial runoff, and climate change.
The Thol Bird Sanctuary in Gujarat, India, exemplifies this fragile balance. It is home to diverse waterfowl and wildlife, functioning as both a conservation hotspot and a resource base for local livelihoods. The sanctuary also qualifies as a potential Ramsar site, with over 20,000 waterfowl recorded in peak seasons.
M. H. Bhadrecha’s doctoral research, Ecosystem Assessment of Thol Bird Sanctuary with Special Reference to Benthic Macro Invertebrate Community (2018), supervised by Prof. P. C. Mankodi at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, provides a systematic ecological evaluation of the wetland. His study integrates physico-chemical analysis, water quality indices, benthic macroinvertebrate assessments, and sediment studies to understand the sanctuary’s ecological health.
The thesis emphasizes the role of benthic macroinvertebrates—insects, mollusks, worms, and crustaceans living in sediments—as bioindicators. Their diversity and abundance reveal subtle changes in water quality, making them crucial for conservation strategies.
By combining field sampling, water chemistry, biodiversity indices, and ecological monitoring, this research contributes significantly to wetland science, conservation planning, and sustainable ecosystem management in India.
Ecological Importance of Wetlands
Verbatim Excerpt from Thesis (pp. 1–23)
Wetlands are specialized ecosystems which perform important ecological functions and have many ecological, socio-economic and cultural values. Wetlands have been extensively used and abused; they have been appreciated for their serene beauty and treated with contempt for harbouring disease causing organisms and their vectors. Ecologically speaking, Wetland of particular importance also needs to be protected not only for direct benefits to mankind but also for other life on earth. Wetlands sustain varied and distinct micro habitats. They are considered to be a vital part of hydrological cycle and are highly productive systems in their natural forms.
Wetlands not only support large biological diversity but also provide a wide array of ecosystem goods and services (Wetlands Rules, 2017) such as water purification, water flow regulation, fisheries, habitats for plants, animals and micro-organisms, recreation and tourism opportunities etc. Inland wetlands recharge and replenish groundwater. They provide multiple services like irrigation, domestic water supply, as well as flood control, carbon sequestration and pollution abatement.
However, in general, management of wetlands has received inadequate attention. Therefore, many of the wetlands in urban and rural areas are subject to anthropogenic pressures like land use changes in the catchment area, pollution from industries and households, encroachments, tourism and over exploitation of their resources. The exact role a wetland can play depends on several site specific features, including the type and location…
(content continues: anthropogenic pressures at Thol—cattle grazing, ONGC oil wells, tourist activity, plastic waste, agriculture runoff—followed by study aims and objectives)
The aim is to know Thol Bird Sanctuary in terms of ecological characters like Water, Sediment, Primary Production and Benthic Macro invertebrate composition. To achieve the Aim, following objectives were set forth:
- To study seasonal variations of important Physico-chemical parameters.
- To develop water quality index based on Physico-chemical parameters.
- To study seasonal variations and composition, Saprobic Score and Diversity Score for Benthic Macro invertebrates and estimate the integrated water quality.
- To study Primary Productivity of Thol Wetland Water.
- To study the sediment quality in terms of Physico-chemical characteristics.
(Excerpt continues into Chapter 2 – Review of Literature)
Global inland and coastal wetlands cover over 12.1 million km², with 54% permanently inundated and 46% seasonally inundated. Natural wetlands are in long-term decline around the world; between 1970 and 2015, by approximately 35%. In contrast, human-made wetlands, largely rice paddy and reservoirs, almost doubled over this period, now forming 12% of wetlands. However, these increases have not compensated for natural wetland loss. Overall Biodiversity suggest that wetland dependent species such as fish, water birds and turtles are in serious decline, particularly in the tropics. Global threat levels are high (over 10% of species globally threatened) for almost all inland and coastal wetland-dependent taxa assessed…
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The content presented here is a verbatim excerpt from the original thesis. Academic formatting and language have been preserved. If you find the text difficult to read, please consult the original PDF linked below.
Sources & Thesis Details
Title of Thesis: Ecosystem Assessment of Thol Bird Sanctuary with Special Reference to Benthic Macro Invertebrate Community
Researcher: M. H. Bhadrecha
Supervisor: Prof. P. C. Mankodi
Institution: Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara
Year: 2018
Excerpt Pages: 1–23
FAQs About Thol Bird Sanctuary and Benthic Macroinvertebrates
Q1. Why did the study focus on benthic macroinvertebrates?
They serve as reliable bioindicators of wetland health, responding sensitively to pollution and ecological disturbances.
Q2. What major threats were identified in Thol Sanctuary?
Cattle grazing, ONGC oil wells, tourist activities, plastic pollution, and agricultural runoff.
Q3. How does water quality monitoring help in conservation?
It reveals seasonal changes, helps calculate Water Quality Index (WQI), and ensures sustainable management of irrigation and wildlife needs.
Q4. What global trends affect wetlands?
Since 1970, natural wetlands have declined by ~35%, with biodiversity loss especially among water birds, fish, and turtles.
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Ecosystem Assessment of Thol Bird Sanctuary: Benthic Macroinvertebrates Study by M. H. Bhadrecha (2018) pdf
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