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Asian Journal of Agricultural Research

Year: 2012 | Volume: 6 | Issue: 1 | Page No.: 30-38
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Authors

S.W.N. Bahaar

G.A. Bhat

Keywords

Research Article

Community Structure and Distribution of Epigeal-cum-herb Layer Fauna in the Rice Fields of Kashmir (J and K) India

S.W.N. Bahaar and G.A. Bhat
The study attempts to identify the taxocoenosis and distribution of epigeal-cum-herb layer fauna harbouring the rice field ecosystems of Kashmir. The main objective of the study is to provide an overview of the community composition and distribution of various arthropod groups inhabiting the floristic element mainly the rice plants in the rice field ecosystems across the valley. The 6 sites were selected in Kupwara, Bandipora, Budgam, Srinagar, Pulwama and Anantnag districts of Kashmir. A total of 50 taxa belonging to 7 different orders and 29 families were reported during the study which commenced through 2 consecutive crop cycles. The taxocoenosis was dominated by Coleoptera (19 taxa) followed by Hymenoptera (9 taxa), Orthoptera (8 taxa), Diptera (6 taxa), Hemiptera (6 taxa), Neuroptera, Scorpionida (1 taxa each). Diversity was calculated using Shannon and Weiner Index (H’) and Margalef Richness Index (d). Kupwara site registered maximium number of representative groups (44 taxa), this was followed by Bandipora (43 taxa), Pulwama (36 taxa), Srinagar (35 taxa), Budgam (34 taxa) and Anantnag (34 taxa). The quantitative dominance with respect to the total number of individuals collected at the various study sites exhibited the following order: Bandipora<Kupwara<Srinagar <Pulwama<Anantnag. The results pressed the need for recognizing and preserving rice fields as potential habitats for organisms that have successfully adapted to the highly manipulated and eutrophic conditions of rice paddies.
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