Research Journal of Recent Sciences _________________________________________________ ISSN 2277-2502 Vol. 4(ISC-2014), 87-92 (2015) Res. J. Recent. Sci. Biodiversity of Kanher dam of Satara district MS, India Sandhya M. Pawar Department of Zoology, Padmabhushan Dr. Vasantraodada Patil Mahavidyalaya, Tasgaon, Dist. Sangli, INDIA Available online at: www.isca.in, www.isca.me Received 15 th November 2014, revised 24 th January 2015, accepted 2nd February 2015 Abstract River Venna is a tributary of Krishna river and has its orgin in nearMahabaleshwar. It runs a distance 45 km before meets with river Krishna near Satara on which Kanher dam was constructed.The water from the dam is utilised for irrigation, generation of electricity, drinking, aquaculture practices and recreation purposes. The present study comparies with limnological parameters, plankton diversity and survey of migratory and resident bird species. The plankton and bird species are best biological parameters of water and enviromental quality and assecement of conservation value of any habitat.The complied data needss to be further strengthened for improving strategies that insure stability and sustainability of study area. Keywords: Biodiversity, Kanher dam, Satara district. Introduction 10 litre capacity from the two sites of each reservoir. The water sampling was carried out between 9.00 am to 12.00 Water has unique property of dissolving and carrying noon every month and brought to the laboratory. The water suspension, a huge variety of chemicals has undesirable samples were analyzed for various physico-chemical consequence that water can easily become contaminated. parameters such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, Water is the most important natural resource for the survival carbon dioxide, total hardness, total dissolved solids, of human as well as plants. It is becoming scarce due to rapid biological oxygen demand ,Chemical oxygen demand population growth, urbanization and industrialization. In order ,hydrogen sulphide, nitrogen, phosphates , potassium , to combat this scarcity condition, careful management of water planktons and bird were identified by standard methods as resources is essential. Rainfall is the most important source of described by 1-6. mbhar et al.,(2009). Plankton samples were replenishment of ground water and surface water sources. collected with plankton net and preserved by using 0.5 ml of Dams are major part of freshwater resources. Analysis of formalin in 50 ml sample collected after filtration of 50 liters physico-chemical parameters of water are essential, to assess of water. the quality of water. A fresh water ecosystem is one of the most threatened ecosystems on earth and for the conservation The objective of the present study is to study water quality, of freshwater ecosystem a meaningful database is essential. plankton and bird diversity of Kanher dam. The main The water resources store rain water received from adjoining purpose of reservoir is to supply water for drinking, domestic catchment area during rainy season. The stored water is purpose and irrigation as well as fishing practices (culture utilized for drinking, irrigation and fresh water aquaculture and capture fishery) are carried out under fishery and also for industrial use. development office Satara, (Kanher). Material and Methods Results and Discussion The two sites of Kanher dam from Satara District were Physico-Chemical Parameters: The physico-chemical selected for the present study. During the investigation property of water clearly explains its geological profile, soil monthly collection of water sample was done at the two water interstices, pollution status as well as human and sampling sites. The first site (S1) is situated on the water animal health problems and important to maintain the collecting channels near the entrance of the reservoir. Second aquaculture practices. site (S2) lies near the dam line. The distance between the two sites was approximately two km away from each other. The various parameters analysed during the present work are discussed in the following pages and correlated with relevant Kanher dam is artificial minor irrigation projects in references. They are summarized in table.1 to 4. Maharashtra State built on Venna river near Kanher. It is situated in Northern-West part of in Medha Tahsil of Satara Temperature: The all metabolic and physiological activities district .It is about 15 km away from the city. The study area and life processes such as feeding, reproduction, movement was visited regularly from April 2012 to March 2013. Water and distribution of aquatic organisms are greatly influenced samples were collected in air tight prepolythene containers of International Science Congress Association 87 Research Journal of Recent Sciences ______________________________________________________________ ISSN 2277-2502 Vol. 4(ISC-2014), 87-92 (2015) Res. J. Recent. Sci. by water temperature . It varied at different sampling sites sites S1, S2, (Table. 1 to 4). Results show average range of depending up on their locations and exposure to the sun. dissolved oxygen was between 3.43 mg/L to 8.09 mg/L for Kanher reservoir shows average water temperature range April 2012 to March 2013. between 20.50 oC to 31.60 oC from April 2012 to March 2013. The temperature of reservoir shows monthly variation. The 6 mg/L to 9 mg/L range of DO is supported for It varied at different sampling sites depending up on their potability and aquaculture. The presence of oxygen locations, season and exposure to the sun. The high water demanding pollutants (like organic wastes) cause rapid temperature values in April and May and low values in July depletion of dissolved oxygen from water. Dissolved oxygen and August is a normal feature of the reservoirs. shows inverse relationship with BOD and temperature12 . Many workers have given different range of temperature of Free Carbon dioxide: Free CO 2 of Kanher reservoir was water and air for various water bodies in Maharashtra. It has recorded at two sampling sites S1, S2, and results are recorded temperature range between 21.03oC to 30.4 oC for summarized in (table. 1 to 4 ). Results shows average range 6 reservoirs of North district of West Bengal . of free CO 2 between 4.80 mg/L to 10.79 mg/L from April 2012 to March 2013. The high temperature during summer is due to clear atmosphere, greater solar radiation and low water level. The The lower values of free CO observed during rainy and fluctuation in water temperature had relationship with air 2 winter season is due to complete utilization of free CO by temperature which shows positive correlation with air 2 the phytoplanktons. The inverse relationship of dissolved temperature and negative correlation with dissolved oxygen 7-9, oxygen and free CO was observed. Similar results were pointed out that fluctuation in temperature was dependent on 2 reported by 13 . the types and concentration of polluted matter, especially during summer. Hardness of Water: pH: pH of Kanher reservoir was recorded at the two Hardness is a property of water which sampling sites S1, S2, (table. 1 to 4) . Kanher reservoir prevents a foam formation with soap and increases the boiling point of water. The maximum permissible limit for shows average pH range between 6.15 to 7.67 from April total hardness in water according to WHO standard is 500 2012 to March 2013. The pH range 6.15 to 7.67 is used for mg/L. Total hardness of Kanher reservoir was recorded at fish culture. The present water bodies shows pH within the two sampling sites S1, S2, (table. 1 to 4). Results show ICMR standard (6.5-8.5) and ISI standard (6.5-9.2). average range of total hardness between 49.9 mg/L to 91.67 pH increases due to consumption of oxygen and rapid release mg/L from April 2012 to March 2013. Hardness shows direct relationship with temperature, electrical conductivity and of carbon dioxide by aquatic animals. In biological activity transparency. hydrolysis of carbonates must have occurred forming 10, and11 hydroxide leading to increase in pH . Calcium and Magnesium: The calcium is one of the major Electrical conductivity: During the present investigation ions of fresh water and is an absolute requirement for algae electrical conductance of the Kanher reservoir was measured and plants. It regulates various physiological functions. Calcium of Kanher reservoir was recorded at the three at two sampling sites S1, S2, (table. 1 to 4). Results show sampling sites S1, S2, (table. 1 to 4). Results shows average average range of electrical conductance between 0.11 μmhos the range of calcium between 6.25 mg/L to 18.63 mg/L and to 0.18 μmhos from April 2012 to March 2013. However lowest values were recorded during winter season as magnesium between 4.40 mg/L to 12.74 mg/L from April compared to rainy and summer season. 2012 to March 2013. The desirable limit of calcium and magnesium for drinking In the present study maximum EC was recorded in summer water are 75 mg/L and 30 mg/L respectively 14-17 . which may be due to fast evaporation of water and minimum EC was recorded in winter indicating dilution of water due to Total Solids: monsoon rain. The present values of electrical conductance Total solids are the measure of the all kinds of indicate that water is suitable for drinking as well as solids (suspended, dissolved, volatile etc.) in water. Total solids of Kanher reservoir was recorded at the three sampling aquaculture practices. sites S1, S2, (table.1 to 4). Results show average range of total solids between 867 mg /L to 2954 mg /L , total Dissolved Oxygen: The dissolved oxygen is the most dissolved solids between 299 mg /L to 1,329 mg /L, total important environmental factor influencing the health suspended solids between 342 mg /L to 1,377 mg /L from condition of aquatic ecosystem.