Fish Diversity and Abundance in Relation to Water Quality of Maroda Reservoir, Chhattisgarh, India

Abstract

This comprehensive study examined the diversity, abundance, and richness of freshwater fish species in Maroda Reservoir, Chhattisgarh, through monthly sampling conducted from August 2024 to April 2025 across three designated sites. The investigation documented 23 fish species representing 9 orders and 11 families, with Cypriniformes emerging as the dominant order containing 11 species, followed by Siluriformes with 5 species. Multiple diversity indices were calculated, including Simpson's Dominance Index, Shannon-Weiner Index, and Simpson's Index of Diversity to quantitatively assess fish community structure. Concurrent water quality monitoring measured critical parameters, including temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, hardness, chloride, nitrate, and phosphate concentrations across seasonal variations. Results demonstrated that physicochemical conditions remained within acceptable ranges for supporting diverse fish populations. However, the reservoir ecosystem faces mounting pressures from anthropogenic activities, including domestic sewage discharge, agricultural runoff, livestock farming, and industrial pollution, compounded by invasive species establishment and progressive eutrophication. The findings underscore the necessity for implementing integrated watershed management strategies, pollution control mechanisms, habitat restoration programs, sustainable fisheries practices, invasive species management, and community-based conservation initiatives to preserve this valuable aquatic resource for future generations.