2023, Vol. 5, Issue 2, Part A

Author(s): Smriti Singh and Vinita R Kashyap

Abstract: Butterflies are considered bioindicators of a healthy and diversified ecosystem. Endosulfan was sprayed indiscriminately on large plantations in the Rewa district of Madhya Pradesh, causing serious threat to the ecosystem. In this study, we surveyed butterflies for their abundance and diversity in three areas differentially affected by endosulfan, i.e., Govindgarh-highly affected area, Jayanti Kunj-moderately affected area, Kothi Compound-unaffected area, conducted between the end of monsoon season and the beginning of the winter season, which lasts approximately 100 days. Seven variables viz., butterfly abundance (N), species richness (S), Simpson’s reciprocal index (D), the Shannon–Wiener index (H′), the exponential of the Shannon–Wiener index (expH′), Pielou’s evenness (J) and species evenness (D/S), related to species diversity were estimated, followed by the one-way ANOVA (F = 25.01, p<0.001) and the Kruskal-Wallis test (H = 22.59, p<0.001). A population of three different butterfly assemblages comprised of 2310 butterflies which represented 62 species were encountered. Our results showed that Govind Garh showed significantly lower butterfly diversity and abundance compared to the other two communities. So far, this is the first study on the effect of endosulfan on butterfly biodiversity in the affected areas of Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, India. This study may represent an indirect assessment of the persistent effects of endosulfan in affected areas, suggesting its long-term effects on the ecosystem.

DOI: 10.33545/27068919.2023.v5.i2a.924

Pages: 01-05 | Views: 354 | Downloads: 133

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