Seasonal Diversity And Spatial Distribution of Finfish in Dulung River Jhargram District, West Bengal, India

This study investigates the seasonal diversity and spatial distribution of finfish in the Dulung River, Jhargram District, West Bengal, India.Finfish play a crucial role in aquatic ecosystems and are significant for local livelihoods.The aims to establish baseline data on the ichthyofaunal composition and how it varies across seasons and different sections of the river.Fish sampling will be conducted across all four seasons (monsoon, post-monsoon, winter, and pre-monsoon) at multiple designated sampling stations along the Dulung River using various fishing gears.Collected specimens will be identified to species level, and data on their abundance, biomass, and spatial occurrence will be recorded.Concurrently, key physico-chemical parameters of the water (e.g., temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, turbidity) will be measured to assess their influence on fish communities.The collected data will be analyzed using standard ecological indices such as Shannon-Wiener diversity index, Simpson's diversity index, species richness, and Pielou's evenness to quantify seasonal variations in diversity.Spatial distribution patterns will be examined to identify areas of higher biodiversity or specific species aggregations.The findings of this study are expected to provide comprehensive insights into the ecological health of the Dulung River, highlight potential threats to finfish populations, and serve as a valuable resource for developing effective strategies and sustainable management practices for the aquatic biodiversity of the region.