An Ecological Study of Doodhganga and Its Drainage Basin A Lotic System of kashmir

Abstract

The present study, in an ecosystem perspective, has been conducted on Doodhganga Stream which is one of the principal tributaries to the river Jhelum in the Valley of Kashmir. The conceptual model which was followed in the present study focuses on the links which connect streams with their catchments. The model emphasizes that the watershed (drainage basin) and reach scale factors influence the conditions in streams which in turn influence the life histories and biotic interactions of organisms living in them and thus on long term basis these factors together shape the biotic communities in streams. In this study the following aspects of the stream ecology were worked out. newlineand#61623; Characterization of the general drainage basin and the riparian corridor of the stream. newlineand#61623; Hydrology and geomorphology of the stream. newlineand#61623; Physico-chemical limnology of the stream. newlineand#61623; Composition, dynamics, longitudinal zonation and productivity of periphyton and their use as bioindicators. newlineand#61623; Macroinvertebrate composition, dynamics, longitudinal zonation, functional feeding groups in relation to the River Continuum Concept (RCC) and their use as bioindicators. newlineand#61623; Analyses of how the stream physical, chemical and biological aspects reflect the characteristics of the drainage basin in the spirit that in every respect the stream reflects the valley (drainage basin) . newline