A Comprehensive Review Focusing On The Globally Distributed Dominant Macrobenthic Taxa, With Varying Ecosystems, And The Need For Research In Unexplored Freshwater Sources

Macrobenthos considered as a backbone for aquatic ecosystems, contributing to sediment dynamics, nutrient cycling, biomonitoring, and food web structure. The review was made by the compilation of 100 peer-reviewed research papers on the macrobenthos for diverse aquatic systems, including Asia, Europe, South Africa, South America, and Australia. To identify the global distribution pattern of dominant macrobenthic taxa that are flourishing in different ecosystem types. Although adequate studies have been done on the coastal and estuarine ecosystems, freshwater ecosystems, especially in high mountain ranges and remote areas, remain understudied. This review elucidated Polychaeta, Insecta, Gastropoda, Bivalvia, and Oligochaeta as having a telling dominance globally; it is nature due to which their presence and prevalence vary by ecosystem type. revealing the dominance of polychaetes in marine and estuarine ecosystems as per custom, and Insecta (especially aquatic larvae) in freshwater and rivers. while the gastropoda and bivalves thrive in freshwater and brackish habitats. Reflecting not only the local habitat conditions but also serving as sensitive bioindicators for even a slight environmental change. Most of the research gap is highlighted in the region, such as the Nigol River, Uttarakhand, India—a spring-fed Himalayan river having minimal anthropogenic disturbance, as though it has the significance and potential for unique biodiversity, it remains unexplored in the existing macrobenthic assessment. This attests to the need for focused research in underrepresented freshwater systems. After evaluation of global data and identification of research voids, this review provides the groundwork that will support the future ecological assessments and broader inclusion for freshwater ecosystems in the face of global biodiversity and conservational frameworks.