Ecological effects of Hydrological fluctuations on Benthic fauna

Wetlands experience dynamic hydrofluxes, a major determinant of biotic community structure. Hydrological conditions in paddy fields, the largest anthropogenic wetlands on earth change during agronomic practices affecting benthic fauna (organisms that live on or in the bottom of waterbody). Benthic response to drawdown conditions is important as hydrological extremes with enhanced drought and flooding episodes is predicted in the changing climate scenario. Maranchery Kole wetland, a part of Vembanad Kole wetlands (Ramsar site) behaved as dissimilar systems due to agricultural activities within a short period. This study elucidates the difference in benthic community structure during the different phases with special reference to oligochaete species. Benthic abundance was predicted based on environmental parameters using regression models. Though many studies on experimental draw down conditions are available, benthic community analysis of the same area behaving as different system during spatial and temporal gradients is unusual. This book is useful for ecologists or any scholar who is interested to know the dynamics of benthic community structure in temporary aquatic habitats