Spatio-Temporal Patterns and Interrelationship of Fish Diversity and Water Quality in Baghel Wetland, Uttar Pradesh, Northern India

Abstract

Aims: The present study aimed to evaluate spatio-temporal variation in fish diversity in relation to water quality parameters and to identify key environmental drivers shaping fish assemblage structure in Baghel Wetland, eastern Uttar Pradesh, India. Despite its national recognition and ecological importance, no prior study has examined the spatio-temporal relationships between fish diversity and water quality in this wetland using multivariate approaches. Study Design: Field-based observational and analytical study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at three sampling sites of Baghel Wetland at eastern Uttar Pradesh, India, from September 2024 to April 2025. Methodology: Fish diversity was assessed using Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H′), Margalef’s richness index, Pielou’s evenness index (J′), and Simpson’s dominance index (D). Physico-chemical parameters including temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, salinity, dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solids (TDS), alkalinity, and ammonia were measured using standard probe-based methods. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was applied to evaluate relationships between fish assemblage structure and environmental variables. Results: Fish diversity indices showed clear spatial and seasonal variation, with Shannon–Wiener index ranging from 2.95 to 3.13 and Margalef’s richness from 4.85 to 5.42. Water quality parameters varied seasonally, with pH ranging from 7.35 to 8.07, dissolved oxygen from 4.68 to 5.60 mg L⁻¹, and TDS from 247 to 272 mg L⁻¹. CCA revealed that TDS, alkalinity, electrical conductivity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen were the primary environmental drivers influencing fish species distribution. Species such as Anabas testudineus and Amblypharyngodon mola were associated with higher alkalinity and TDS, whereas Channa marulius and Wallago attu showed affinity towards higher dissolved oxygen conditions. Conclusion: The study demonstrated a strong linkage between fish assemblage structure and seasonal water quality dynamics in Baghel Wetland. The findings provide essential baseline ecological information that can support long-term monitoring, climate-resilient wetland management, and conservation-oriented fisheries planning in tropical floodplain ecosystems of the Indo-Gangetic plains.