RAJAT SHEORAN, ABHINAV SAXENA*, RAJINDER KAUR AND ARPIT SHARMA
Department of Zoology, Akal University, Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda-151 302 (Punjab), India
*(e-mail: abhinavsaxena.zoology105@gmail.com; Mobile: 94784 84553)
(Received: August 16, 2025; Accepted: September 24, 2025)
ABSTRACT
Wetlands are vital freshwater ecosystems that support diverse aquatic life, including endangered and
vulnerable species. The decrease in wetland water quality directly or indirectly influences the aquatic
biodiversity, making continuous monitoring which is essential for sustainable management. The study focused on the seasonal variations of the physico-chemical water quality parameters and their influence on the aquatic insect diversity of the Ropar Wetland (Ramsar site), Punjab, India, from February, 2021 to January, 2023. Four sites were sampled across four seasons viz., winter (December to February), pre- monsoon (March to May), monsoon (June to August) and post-monsoon (September to November). Most of the parameters including alkalinity, hardness, calcium and chloride, peaked during the pre-monsoon and declined during winter, while dissolved oxygen showed inverse trend. In case of aquatic insect diversity, a total of 24 genera, 18 families and 7 insect orders were recorded, a strong correlation of insect diversity was also observed with water parameters. These findings highlight the ecological significance of aquatic insects as bioindicators and emphasize the need for sustainable management strategies to maintain wetland health.
Key words: Aquatic insects, physico-chemical parameters, Ropar Wetland, Ramsar site, seasonal variations, sustainable maintenance