BENTIDC MACRO-BIOTA IN GAULA RIVER- KUMA ON HIMALAYA

Abstract

The density of benthic macro-biota in number over weight of biomass at
three sampling stations was 29 units m210.614 g m2to 171 units m2 I 11.346 m2
at Station I; 22 units m2 I 0.410 g m2 to 155 units m2 I 8.717 m2 at Station II;
15 units m210.321 g m2 to 122 units m21 6. 793 g m2 at Station III. The Caddis
fly larvae was the most dominant component and contributed 52.41% in the
macro-biota. These animals were abundant in Gaula river when benthic algae
were abundant, water is well oxygenated, alkaline and contains sufficient
nutrients but observed to be less abundant during high velocity of water,
high river depth and higher turbid waters.
Keywords : Benthic, Macro-Biota, Ephemeroptera, Odonata, Plecoptera,
Trichoptera, Diptera