3. Results

#### 3.1. Ecological assessment: (Flora and Fauna)


Fauna: Amphibians: In the Nara Desert three amphibian species belonging from two families

S. No# Scientific Name Common Name Local Name 18. Salvadora persica L. Peelu Khabbar 19. Cordia gharaf Gondni Gaiduri 20. Tamarix passerinoides Tamarisk Layee 21. Pennisatum glaicum L. Bajra Bajhari 22. Zea mays L. Corn Makai 23. Desmostachya bipinnata Dub, Halfa grass Drubh 24. Calotropis procera Milk Weed Akk 25. Eruka sativa Salad Rocket Janmbho 26. Opentia ficus indica L. Cactus Thohar 27. Capparix decidus Kapparis Kirar 28. Suaeda fruiticosa Shrubby Seablight Laani 29. Citrullus colocynchis L. Bitter Apple Tooh 30. Calligonum polygonoides Phog Phog 31. Aerva javanica Kopak Bush Booh 31. Tamarix aphylla Tamarisk Lao 32. Salvadora oleoides Jaal Jaar 33. Crotolaria burhia Burhia Rattlepod Soma 34. Dipterygium glaucum Safrawi Phair 35. Aristida adscensionis Sixweeks Threeawn Lumb Gaah 36. Cassia italic Cassia, Golden tree Ghora wal 37. Tephrotia uniflora Senegal Siringh/Andhari 38. Teophrotia villosa Creeping Thistle Phoodno 39. Typha latifolia Cattail Kanahn 40. Typha angusta Cattail Kaani 41. Paspalum distichum Knotgrass Naru Gaah 42. Hydrilla verticillata Hydrilla Hydrilla 43. Nyphaea lotus White Lotus Kanwal 44. Polygonum hyaropier Blake's Knotweed Anjbar 45. Urticulara lotus Water Lotus Kanwal 46. Nelumbium nuciferum Nelumbium Kanwal

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Reptiles: Region of Nara Desert is considered rich in herpeto-fauna with 24 reptilian species belonging to three orders and 12 families. Out of the 24-reptilian species, 2 were herbivores,

of Ranidae and Bufonidae were reported (Table 3).

Table 2. Flora of NDWS.

Flora: In the region of Nara Desert a variety of different floral species of aquatic as well as terrestrial plants, herbs, shrubs and drought resistant plant species were recorded (Table 2).

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Table 2. Flora of NDWS.

After the samples were kept in 10% nitric acid for 24 hours and rinsed with the distilled water. Water samples were mixed in acid-washed container, rinsed with distilled water, and then stored at 4C for further analysis. For quality assurance, the samples were analyzed in duplicate through careful standardization and samples examined. Physicochemical analysis was performed by the standardized methods [33]. Chemical properties of water samples including water temperature, depth, and transparency were measured with the Secchi Disk. The temperature was measured by a mercury thermometer immersed into a water depth of 15 cm for 2–5 mins. The pH was measured by of an Orion Model 420 pH meter. The EC, TDS, and Na parameters were measured by a WTW 320 conductivity meter. Alkalinity, hardness, Cl and phosphate were analyses conducted by the standardized methods as recognized by WHO [34]. Titration method (2310) was used to measure Ca, HCO3 and HCO. Mg and K were analyzed by spectrometry. For the analysis of BOD and DO, the Winkler method and a Jenway Model 9071

Flora: In the region of Nara Desert a variety of different floral species of aquatic as well as terrestrial plants, herbs, shrubs and drought resistant plant species were recorded (Table 2).

S. No# Scientific Name Common Name Local Name 1. Acacia nilotica Thorn mimosa, Bubul Bubar 2. Dalbergia sissoo roxb Sisu, Tali Talehi 3. Alhagi maurorum Camel-thorn bush Kandero 4. Albizia durraz Siris Sareenhn 5. Mimosa pudica L. Chui-mui, Lajwanti Sharam Booti 6. Prosopis juliflora Mosquite Deevi 7. Prosopis cinreria Jamal gotha Kandi 8. Tamarind indica linn Imli Gidaamri 9. Trigodela L. Proshan, kakpie Hurbo 10. Ocimum L. Basil Nazbu 11. Grevia L. Phalsa Pharva 12. Azadirachia indica Neem Nim 13. Ficus benghalensis L. Banyan tree Barr 14. Ficus religiosa L. Sacred Fig Pipal 15. Morus alba L. White Mulberry Toot 16. Eucalyptus camaldulensis Red Gum, Eucalyptus Safedo 17. Zizephus mauritiana Lam Berry Baer

Oxygen Meter were used, respectively (Table 1).

60 Community and Global Ecology of Deserts

3.1. Ecological assessment: (Flora and Fauna)

3. Results

Fauna: Amphibians: In the Nara Desert three amphibian species belonging from two families of Ranidae and Bufonidae were reported (Table 3).

Reptiles: Region of Nara Desert is considered rich in herpeto-fauna with 24 reptilian species belonging to three orders and 12 families. Out of the 24-reptilian species, 2 were herbivores,


S. No# Scientific Name Common Name

42. Bufo stomaticus Marbled toad 43. Hoplobatrachus tigerinus Bull frog 44. Rana cyanophlyctis Skittering frog 45. Tachybaptus ruficollis Little grebe 46. Podiceps nigricollis Black-necked grebe 47. Phalacrocorax niger Little cormorant 48. Phalacrocorax carbo Large cormorant 49. Phalacrocorax fuscicollis Indian darter 50. Ardea cinerea Gray heron 51. Ardea purpurea Purple heron 52. Ardeola grayii Indian pond heron 53. Bubulcus ibis Cattle egret 54. Egretta alba Large egret 55. Egretta intermedia Intermediate egret 56. Egretta garzetta Little egret 57. Egretta gularis Reef heron 58. Ixobrychus minutus Little bittern 59. Ixobrychus sinensis Yellow bittern 60. Tadorna ferruginea Ruddy shelduck 61. Marmaronetta angustirostris Marbled teal 62. Anas crecca Common teal 63. Anas platyrhynchos Mallard 64. Anas strepera Gadwall 65. Anas clypeata Shoveller

66. Aythya ferina Common pochard 67. Aythya nyroca Ferruginous duck 68. Aythya fuligula Tufted duck 69. Aythya collaris Ring-necked duck 70. Elanus caeruleus Blackwinged kite 71. Milvus migrans Common kite

36. Ophoimorus raithmai Three-fingered sand-fish 37. Ophoimorus tridactylus Indian sand swimmer 38. Eutrophis macularia Bronze grass skink 39. Varanus bengalensis Bengal monitor 40. Varanus griseus Desert monitor

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41. Acanthodactylus cantoris Indian fringetoed sandy lizard

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S. No# Scientific Name Common Name 1. Crocodylus palustris Mugger crocodile 2. Kuchuga tecta Saw-back turtle 3. Kuchuga smithi Brown turtle 4. Geoclemys hemiltonii Spotted-pond turtle 5. Canis aureus Asiatic jackal 6. Fellis chaus Jungle cat 7. Prionailurus viverrinus Fishing cat 8. Felis silvestris Desert cat 9. Vulpes vulpes Red fox

62 Community and Global Ecology of Deserts

10. Lutrogale perspicillata Smooth-coated otter 11. Herpestes javanicus Small Indian mongoose 12. Herpestes edwardsi Gray mongoose 13. Axis porcinus Hog deer 14. Sus scrofa Indian wild boar 15. Funambulus pennanti Palm squirrel 16. Gerbilus nanus Balochistan gerbill 17. Hemiechinus collaris Long-eared hedgehog 18. Hystrix indica Indian crested porcupine

19. Lepus nigricollis Desert hare 20. Meriones hurrianae Indian desert jird 21. Mus musculus House mouse 22. Tatera indica Indian gerbil

25. Naja naja naja Indian cobra 26. Echis carinatus Saw-scaled viper 27. Eryx johni Indian sand boa

23. Aspiderestes gangeticus Indian soft shell turtle 24. Lissemys punctate punctata Indian flapshell turtle

28. Lytorhynchus paradoxus Sindh awlheaded sand snake

29. Platyceps rhodorchis Cliff racer platyceps 30. Platyceps ventromaculatus Glossy-bellied racer 31. Xenochrophid piscator Checkered keelback

32. Trapelus megalonyx Afghan ground agama 33. Hemidactylus brookii Yellow-bellied house gecko 34. Hemidactylus brooki Spotted Indian house gecko

35. Cyrtopodion scaber Keeled rock gecko

31. Calotes versicolor Tree lizard



S. No# Scientific Name Common Name 108. Hydroprogne caspia Caspian tern 109. Sterna aurantia Indian River tern 110. Sterna acuticauda Blackbellied tern 111. Sterna albifrons Little tern 112. Sterna sendvicensis Sandwitch tern 113. Columba livia Blue rock pigeon 114. Streptopelia decaocto Ring dove 115. Sterptopelia senegalensis Little brown dove 116. Centropus sinensis Crown pheasant 117. Ketupa zeylonensis Brown fish owl 118. Athene brama Spotted owlet 119. Ceryle rudis Pied kingfisher 120. Alcedo athis Common kingfisher 121. Halcyon smyrnensis Whitebreasted kingfisher

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122. Merops orientalis Green-bee eater 123. Merops persicus Blue-cheeked bee eater

124. Corcias benghalensis Indian roller 125. Upupa epops Common hoopoe 126. Amomanes deserti Desert lark

128. Galerida cristata Crested lark 129. Riparia diluta Pale sand martin 130. Hirundo fuligula Crag/rock martin

127. Calendrella brachydactyla Great short-toed lark

131. Hirundo rustica Barn or common swallow 132. Lanius isabellinus Rufous tailed or Isabelline shrike

133. Lanus meridionalis Southern gray shrike 134. Lanius vittatus Bay backed shrike 135. Dicrurus adsimilis Black drongo 136. Acridotheres adsimilis Indian myna 137. Sturnus vulgaris Common 138. Phoenicurus ochruros Starling

139. Oenanthe albonigra Hume's wheatear 140. Saxicoloides fulicata Indian robin 141. Saxicola caprata Pied robin chat 142. Oenanthe isabellina Isabelline wheatear 143. Oenanthe sdeserti Desert wheatear

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S. No# Scientific Name Common Name 72. Haliastur indus Brahminy kite 73. Accipiter badius Central Asian shikra 74. Butastur teesa White-eyed buzzard 75. Circus aeruginosus Marsh harrier 76. Falco tinnunculus Common kestrel

64 Community and Global Ecology of Deserts

77. Pandion haliaetus Osprey 78. Francolinus pondicerianus Gray partridge 79. Francolinus francolinus Black partridge

90. Numenius arquata Curlew 91. Numenius phaeopus Whimbler 92. Limosa lapponica Bartailed godwit 93. Tringa totanus Common redshank 94. Tringa stagnatilis Marsh sandpiper 95. Tringa nebularia Green shank 96. Tringa glareola Wood sandpiper 97. Tringa hypoleucos Common sandpiper 98. Gallinnago gallinago Common snipe 99. Calidris minutus Little stint 100. Calidris alpine Dunlin 101. Philomachus pugnax Ruff

102. Himantopus himantopus Blackwinged stilt 103. Larus heuglini Heuglin's gull 104. Larus brunnicephalus Brown headed gull 105. Larus ridibundus Black Headed gull 106. Larus genei Slenderbilled gull 107. Gelochelidon nlitica Gull-billed tern

80. Amaurornis phoenicurus White-breasted waterhen

81. Gallinula chloropus Indian moorhen 82. Porphyrio porphyrio Purple moorhen 83. Fulica atra Common coot 84. Charadrius leschenaultia Greater sand plover 85. Vanellus indicus Redwattled lapwing 86. Vanellus leucurus White tailed plover 87. Charadrius dubius Little ringed plover 88. Charadrius alexadrinus Kentish plover 89. Charadrius mongolus Lesser sand plover



Table 3. Fauna of NDWS.

13 were carnivores and 9 were insectivores. A famous indigenous Vulnerable reptilian species of marsh crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) was also reported from the Nara Canal and its adjacent territories (Figure 2) (Table 3).

Figure 3. A view of Lake in NDWC.

Figure 2. A view of marsh crocodile.

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Figure 4. A view of plantation in NDWC.

Birds: In the region of NDWC, these wetlands are recognized as the major habitats for the variety of rare and endangered migratory birds. In NDWC, 118 bird species belonging to 13 orders and 35 families belonging were reported. Fifty-nine birds were native species while 53 birds were migratory species. The important migratory birds were the marbled teal, Anan angustirostris (Vulnerable-threatened) and the ferruginous duck, Aythya nyroca and the Indian darter, Anhyinga rufa (Near-threatened) (Table 3).

Small mammals: From the habitat of NDWC the small mammal populations belonging to 3 orders and 5 families were also reported. The small mammals included 5 granivores, 2 herbivores and 1 omnivore (Table 3).

Large Mammals: Large Mammals: Twenty-five species of large mammals were reported. From order Carnivora, 10 species included the jungle cat, jackal, small Indian mongoose, gray mongoose, wolf and red fox and from the Order Artiodactyla, the wild boar (Table 3) (Figure 3–6).

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Figure 2. A view of marsh crocodile.

Figure 3. A view of Lake in NDWC.

13 were carnivores and 9 were insectivores. A famous indigenous Vulnerable reptilian species of marsh crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) was also reported from the Nara Canal and its adja-

S. No# Scientific Name Common Name 144. Corvus splendens House crow 145. Dendrocitta vagabunda Tree pie

146. Prinia flaviventris Yellow bellied prinia 147. Prinia burnesii Rufous vented prinia 148. Pycnonotus leucogenys White-cheeked bulbul 149. Pycnonotus cafer Red-vented bulbul 150. Turdoides caudatus Common babbler 151. Turdoides earlie Striated babbler 152. Turdoides striata Jungle babbler 153. Rhipidura aureola White browed fantail 154. Phylloscopus collybita Common chiffchaff 155. Acrocephalous stentoreus Clamorous reed warbler 156. Sylvia curruca Lesser whitethroat sylvia 157. Phylloscopus trochiloides Greenish warbler 158. Motacilla alba White wagtail 159. Motacilla flava Yellow wagtail 160. Nectarinia asiatica Purple sunbird 161. Passer domesticus House sparrow 162. Passer pyrrhonotus Sindh jungle sparrow

Birds: In the region of NDWC, these wetlands are recognized as the major habitats for the variety of rare and endangered migratory birds. In NDWC, 118 bird species belonging to 13 orders and 35 families belonging were reported. Fifty-nine birds were native species while 53 birds were migratory species. The important migratory birds were the marbled teal, Anan angustirostris (Vulnerable-threatened) and the ferruginous duck, Aythya nyroca and the Indian

Small mammals: From the habitat of NDWC the small mammal populations belonging to 3 orders and 5 families were also reported. The small mammals included 5 granivores, 2 herbi-

Large Mammals: Large Mammals: Twenty-five species of large mammals were reported. From order Carnivora, 10 species included the jungle cat, jackal, small Indian mongoose, gray mongoose, wolf and red fox and from the Order Artiodactyla, the wild boar (Table 3)

cent territories (Figure 2) (Table 3).

Table 3. Fauna of NDWS.

66 Community and Global Ecology of Deserts

vores and 1 omnivore (Table 3).

(Figure 3–6).

darter, Anhyinga rufa (Near-threatened) (Table 3).

Figure 4. A view of plantation in NDWC.

Parameters Months

Parameters Months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

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Ecological and Environmental Assessment of Nara Desert Wetland Complex (NDWC), Khairpur, Sindh-Pakistan

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Temp: Air 20 25 26 30 32 37 42 38 32 27 23 20 Tem: Water 16 21 23 26 29 33 38 35 29 24 20 17 pH 8.2 8.0 8.1 7.9 8.0 7.7 7.8 8.1 7.6 8.0 7.9 8.2 EC 2860 2478 2730 2380 2595 2517 2370 2678 2173 2594 2436 2247 TDS 1830 1800 16,500 1700 1540 1460 1285 1678 1240 1315 1464 1780 Turb 33 24 30 22 25 19 21 20 18 26 28 29 Ca 140 137 150 145 130 142 120 126 114 118 132 122 Mg 60 48 75 70 52 65 45 44 42 58 53 66 Hard 600 652 680 575 580 638 590 618 563 598 620 640 Alkal 7.0 8.2 12.0 9.1 8.0 8.5 10.0 7.8 6.0 11.0 9.0 8.4 Cl 192 185 210 190 170 192 165 204 154 167 184 180

Temp: Air 20 25 28 32 38 43 45 42 32 28 23 20 Tem: Water 17 21 23 28 29 38 33 37 29 24 20 17 pH 8.2 8.1 8.3 8.2 8.0 7.9 7.9 8.0 7.8 7.9 8.0 8.1 EC 985 915 954 885 875 870 850 860 820 890 970 930 TDS 630 618 613 605 590 598 600 620 580 612 640 624 Turb 30 35 32 38 40 42 45 37 28 33 35 41 Ca 40 38 52 50 58 52 65 54 35 34 45 42 Mg 27 30 37 32 35 33 40 25 23 29 24 38 Hard 210 234 270 218 245 240 256 228 205 215 225 220 Alkal 3.5 3.7 3.8 3.9 3.4 3.7 4.0 3.8 3.2 3.5 3.6 3.7 Cl 131 127 122 132 115 142 145 130 120 124 140 135 Na 128 143 145 135 120 128 150 132 110 122 130 137 K 18 20 21 23 19 20 25 21 16 17 20 18 SO4 128 138 140 98 32 110 116 114 105 118 120 132 HCO ——— — — ——— — —— — HCO3 175 152 162 147 150 134 130 170 140 153 165 160 BOD 3.0 3.5 3.2 3.0 2.9 3.3 2.8 3.1 3.5 3.4 3.8 3.7 DO 4.8 4.5 4.9 4.2 3.7 4.0 3.9 4.3 4.2 4.6 4.1 4.7

Table 4. Physicochemical analysis of water sample of station 1. Gunjo Bhanbharo Lake.

Figure 5. A view of Desert dune in NDWC.

Figure 6. A view of Typha in NDWC.

### 3.2. Analysis of physicochemical parameters

The highest air temperature of 45C was measured in July and the lowest of 20C was measured in January (Tables 4, 11). The highest and lowest water temperatures were 42 and 17C, respectively (Table 4). The highest and lowest values (9.3 and 6.9) for pH were measured in November and December, respectively (Tables 11, 12). The highest and lowest values (9120 and 364 mu/Scm) for EC were measured in November and May, respectively (Tables 11, 13). The highest and lowest values (1042 and 214 mg/L) for TDS were measured in March and May, respectively (Tables 7, 13). The highest and lowest values (186 and 0.20 NTU) for turbidity were measured in the months of January – September, respectively (Tables 7, 9). The highest and lowest values (1214 and 6 mg/L) for Ca were measured in January and November, respectively (Tables 8, 10). The highest and lowest values (876 and 12 mg/L) for Mg were measured in March and May, respectively (Tables 8, 13). The highest and lowest values (5536 and 140 mg/L) for hardness were measured in March and May, respectively (Tables 7, 13). The

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Table 4. Physicochemical analysis of water sample of station 1. Gunjo Bhanbharo Lake.

3.2. Analysis of physicochemical parameters

Figure 6. A view of Typha in NDWC.

Figure 5. A view of Desert dune in NDWC.

68 Community and Global Ecology of Deserts

The highest air temperature of 45C was measured in July and the lowest of 20C was measured in January (Tables 4, 11). The highest and lowest water temperatures were 42 and 17C, respectively (Table 4). The highest and lowest values (9.3 and 6.9) for pH were measured in November and December, respectively (Tables 11, 12). The highest and lowest values (9120 and 364 mu/Scm) for EC were measured in November and May, respectively (Tables 11, 13). The highest and lowest values (1042 and 214 mg/L) for TDS were measured in March and May, respectively (Tables 7, 13). The highest and lowest values (186 and 0.20 NTU) for turbidity were measured in the months of January – September, respectively (Tables 7, 9). The highest and lowest values (1214 and 6 mg/L) for Ca were measured in January and November, respectively (Tables 8, 10). The highest and lowest values (876 and 12 mg/L) for Mg were measured in March and May, respectively (Tables 8, 13). The highest and lowest values (5536 and 140 mg/L) for hardness were measured in March and May, respectively (Tables 7, 13). The



Parameters Months

Parameters Months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

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Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Temp: Air 21 25 26 33 37 41 42 39 32 26 23 20 Tem: Water 19 22 23 30 33 38 39 36 29 23 20 17 pH 9.2 9.0 9.1 8.7 8.8 9.0 8.5 8.6 8.3 8.4 8.9 8.8 EC 7984 7878 7920 7636 7180 7280 6568 6892 5872 6972 6217 7684 TDS 5123 4976 5068 4783 4837 4690 4287 4528 4027 4686 4839 5074 Turb 38 32 33 37 30 36 28 29 24 31 35 34 Ca 1214 1180 1174 1168 1034 1149 983 1084 845 987 1128 1068 Mg 394 376 374 310 345 355 285 367 262 296 312 342 Hard 3985 3884 3923 3810 3812 3792 3529 3626 3428 3590 3782 3888 Alkal 2.9 2.3 2.64 2.4 2.5 2.2 2.1 2.5 2.0 2.6 2.8 2.7

Temp: Air 21 23 26 31 32 39 44 40 32 26 23 20 Tem: Water 19 20 23 27 29 36 40 36 29 23 20 17 pH 8.5 8.6 9.0 8.5 8.7 8.7 8.5 8.8 8.2 8.9 8.4 8.6 EC 1327 2190 1270 1250 1194 1230 1054 1180 983 1246 1127 1110 TDS 9827 8965 10,420 9547 8974 9657 7590 8540 6580 7890 8936 9570 Turb 0.27 0.23 0.29 0.24 0.25 0.27 0.23 0.25 0.20 0.26 0.29 0.28 Ca 728 745 772 710 685 715 680 672 582 720 782 730 Mg 838 782 876 816 782 725 678 698 645 763 812 804 Hard 5428 5160 5536 5096 4528 4826 3974 4976 3792 5120 5265 5380 Alkal 3.8 3.5 3.4 3.3 3.2 3.7 3.1 3.2 3.0 3.7 3.6 3.5 Cl 3329 3289 3418 3370 3236 3190 3075 2987 2868 3145 3185 3276 Na 52 50 46 54 58 45 48 47 42 48 49 50 K 182 159 170 180 162 150 156 169 140 160 172 157 SO4 2980 2896 2937 2765 2830 2696 2589 2752 2438 2686 2845 2810 HCO ——— ————————— HCO3 182 153 170 167 162 146 156 149 140 148 172 160 BOD 4.2 4.1 4.0 3.9 4.0 4.0 3.9 3.9 3.8 4.0 4.1 4.0 DO 5.5 5.3 5.4 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.1 5.2 5.0 5.3 5.2 5.1

Table 7. Physicochemical analysis of water sample of station 4. Tooti Lake.

Table 5. Physicochemical analysis of water sample of station 2. Bachal Bhanbharo Lake.


Table 6. Physicochemical analysis of water sample of station 3. Skebi Lake.



Table 7. Physicochemical analysis of water sample of station 4. Tooti Lake.

Parameters Months

70 Community and Global Ecology of Deserts

Parameters Months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Temp: Air 21 24 26 30 32 37 43 36 32 27 23 20 Tem: Water 18 20 23 28 29 34 39 32 29 24 20 17 pH 8.0 7.9 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.6 7.5 7.8 7.3 7.5 7.9 7.7 EC 925 876 856 815 814 764 725 780 705 802 883 865 TDS 586 562 547 540 510 487 462 516 443 550 532 580 Turb 9.2 11.4 11.9 10.7 10.4 11.9 12.3 10.9 11.2 11.0 11.6 10.8 Ca 82 74 68 80 54 67 45 56 40 65 75 70 Mg 74 70 62 51 52 58 48 66 42 54 68 62 Hard 538 518 426 487 410 468 430 500 410 485 520 508 Alkal 3.5 3.2 2.6 2.8 2.5 2.9 2.2 2.8 2.1 3.1 3.2 3.4 Cl 168 156 139 141 130 127 118 1162 106 149 156 150 Na 42 33 38 41 34 35 32 36 27 40 38 39 K 40 34 32 29 30 35 34 47 28 37 36 33 SO4 208 193 195 165 173 182 164 158 153 168 192 187 HCO —— — — — — — — — — — — HCO3 142 137 130 129 123 132 120 125 105 139 134 138 BOD 3.9 3.6 3.8 3.8 3.6 3.8 3.7 3.6 3.5 3.7 3.9 3.8 DO 5.2 4.9 5.1 5.0 4.8 4.7 4.8 4.9 4.6 5.1 5.1 5.0

Na 382 370 350 308 315 338 286 268 250 317 375 347 K 32 36 38 32 28 25 24 33 20 24 27 23 SO4 778 754 725 674 635 653 605 725 582 762 683 697 HCO ——— ————————— HCO3 350 270 285 315 260 290 250 305 250 360 376 326 BOD 3.5 3.4 3.2 3.6 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.5 3.7 3.3 3.8 3.4 DO 5.0 4.9 4.8 4..7 4.9 4.5 4.8 4.8 4.6 4.3 4.2 4.7

Table 5. Physicochemical analysis of water sample of station 2. Bachal Bhanbharo Lake.

Table 6. Physicochemical analysis of water sample of station 3. Skebi Lake.



Parameters Months

Table 10. Physicochemical analysis of water sample of station 7. Raja Pathan Lake.

Parameters Months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

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Ecological and Environmental Assessment of Nara Desert Wetland Complex (NDWC), Khairpur, Sindh-Pakistan

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Temp: Air 21 25 26 34 39 42 45 40 32 26 23 20 Tem: Water 19 22 23 30 36 39 41 36 29 23 20 17 pH 8.8 8.7 8.4 8.6 8.2 8.4 8.5 8.3 9.0 9.1 9.3 8.9 EC 8379 8239 7838 5673 4570 6890 5820 7346 7739 8215 9120 8764 TDS 1529 1432 1482 1380 1273 1446 1382 1457 1528 1590 1690 1568 Turb 0.27 0.25 0.26 0.28 0.22 0.23 0.21 0.24 0.25 0.27 0.29 0.22 Ca 49 45 38 46 30 42 36 47 40 51 54 50 Mg 329 348 230 297 186 245 210 305 236 264 397 322 Hard 1626 1486 1327 1336 1182 1479 1268 1504 1529 1545 1770 1654 Alkal 67.4 59 48 51 43 49 50 62 60.2 57 71.6 68 Cl 320 316 257 286 216 265 237 248 285 317 397 304 Na 1125 1030 937 879 792 915 845 1056 1026 1187 1231 1115

Temp: Air 20 24 26 30 37 41 44 38 32 27 23 20 Tem: Water 18 21 23 27 34 37 40 34 29 24 20 17 pH 8.0 7.8 7.9 7.6 7.7 7.9 7.5 7.8 7.6 7.8 7.7 7.9 EC 5489 5370 5282 5685 4827 5120 4628 4952 5273 5734 6190 5856 TDS 3186 3256 2973 3080 2863 2965 2682 2792 2854 3124 3340 3260 Turb 12.6 11.8 12.0 11.3 10.0 9.2 8.0 10.4 9.0 9.8 11.9 10.5 Ca 22 18 20 19 18 17 15 21 13 11 6 10 Mg 294 265 240 217 235 247 192 230 205 208 273 253 Hard 1082 978 926 912 884 890 836 992 928 985 1180 1005 Alkal 20.5 19.6 `19.8 18.7 19.2 20.2 16.2 17.6 18.5 19.9 21.4 20.7 Cl 603 568 583 590 535 528 483 610 528 630 666 642 Na 787 740 782 714 739 728 626 775 712 805 821 794 K 38 35 31 34 29 32 26 36 28 30 32 33 SO4 937 883 826 694 793 782 638 728 875 635 1040 868 HCO ———————————— HCO3 980 940 826 860 793 836 782 872 863 945 1070 984 BOD 3.7 3.6 3.1 3.5 2.9 3.4 2.7 3.3 2.9 3.2 3.0 4.4 DO 5.6 5.8 5.4 5.7 5.3 5.5 5.2 5.8 5.7 5.9 6.1 6.0

Table 8. Physicochemical analysis of water sample of station 5. Dangewari Lake.


Table 9. Physicochemical analysis of water sample of station 6. Kharari Lake.

Ecological and Environmental Assessment of Nara Desert Wetland Complex (NDWC), Khairpur, Sindh-Pakistan http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.78623 73


Table 10. Physicochemical analysis of water sample of station 7. Raja Pathan Lake.

Parameters Months

72 Community and Global Ecology of Deserts

Parameters Months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Temp: Air 21 24 26 34 38 43 44 38 32 28 23 20 Tem: Water 19 21 23 30 35 40 41 34 29 24 20 17 pH 9.0 8.8 8.9 8.6 8.5 8.7 8.3 8.4 8.1 8.3 8.6 8.8 EC 8912 8842 8720 8254 7837 7632 6865 6540 5392 6934 6836 7894 TDS 5610 5495 5580 5324 4872 4670 4583 4264 3983 4685 4892 4975 Turb 186 183 180 172 162 148 152 138 106 162 170 180 Ca 492 471 482 465 385 390 328 387 295 348 412 426 Mg 782 735 757 708 628 615 573 628 412 593 684 710 Hard 4427 4350 4321 4230 4082 4150 3862 3764 3429 3927 4128 4250 Alkal 2.8 2.4 2.6 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.2 2.6 2.1 2.4 2.5 2.7 Cl 142 137 130 120 126 119 114 121 108 133 125 138 Na 54 49 46 44 42 43 37 39 32 46 41 40 K 8.0 8.4 4.0 7.5 5.0 6.8 6.0 8.7 7.0 6.5 9.0 8.9 SO4 2286 2175 2213 2098 2145 1945 2096 2190 1827 1670 1273 1450 HCO ———————————— HCO3 1.2 1.1 1.06 1.3 1.03 1.2 1.1 1.3 1.0 1.1 1.4 1.2 BOD 4.6 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.2 4.5 4.1 4.2 3.9 4.0 4.3 4.2 DO 5.1 4.8 5.0 4.9 5.0 5.0 4.9 4.8 4.7 4.8 5.0 4.9

Cl 147 140 132 130 127 129 120 125 108 134 142 128 Na 75 72 69 71 62 73 56 54 48 66 72 70 K 23 21 18 19 16 20 14 22 15 17 21 22 SO4 1915 1880 1819 1792 1725 1682 1528 1632 1372 1575 1882 1794 HCO ———————————— HCO3 0.9 0.6 0.8 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.5 0.7 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.6 BOD 4.5 4.4 4.2 4.3 4.1 4.2 4.0 4.1 3.9 4.3 4.2 4.0 DO 5.4 5.1 5.3 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.1 5.2 5.0 5.3 5.2 5.1

Table 8. Physicochemical analysis of water sample of station 5. Dangewari Lake.

Table 9. Physicochemical analysis of water sample of station 6. Kharari Lake.



Table 11. Physicochemical analysis of water sample of station 8. Old Nara Lake.


The highest and lowest values (182 and 3 m/L) for K were measured in January and July, respectively (Tables 7, 13). The highest and lowest values (2980 and 38 mg/L) for SO4 were measured in November and May, respectively (Tables 7, 13). The highest and lowest values (3580 and 0.5 mg/L) for HCO3 were measured in November and July (Tables 8, 11) while the value of 0 for HCO was measured in all the months of the study period (Tables 4–13). The highest and lowest values (4.6 and 2.7 mg/L) for BOD were measured in January and July, respectively (Tables 9, 10). The highest and lowest values (6.1 and 3.7 mg/L) for DO were

Table 13. Analysis of physicochemical parameters of water sample for station 10. Nara Canal Chundiko.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.78623

75

Ecological and Environmental Assessment of Nara Desert Wetland Complex (NDWC), Khairpur, Sindh-Pakistan

Temp: Air 21 24 26 33 35 40 43 38 32 27 23 20 Tem: Water 19 21 3 30 31 36 40 34 29 24 20 17 pH 7.6 7.4 7.2 7.3 7.0 7.2 6.9 7.1 7.0 7.5 7.3 7.1 EC 528 512 489 537 364 464 387 486 472 515 596 564 TDS 312 302 307 289 214 289 230 267 278 307 321 298 Turb 162 157 147 137 117 118 26 127 145 167 180 172 Ca 47 49 53 51 38 45 42 51 48 50 60 54 Mg 18 15 17 13 4 12 15 14 16 15 19 17 Hard 210 208 203 198 140 212 154 168 182 185 230 217 Alkal 3.5 3.3 3.4 3.2 3.1 3.3 3.0 3.5 3.1 3.2 3.6 3.4 Cl 30 31 29 27 22 28 25 26 28 30 32 29 Na 31 28 30 25 21 24 27 26 29 28 33 30 K 7.0 6.8 6.0 6.2 5.0 5.4 3.0 4.8 5.0 5.9 4.0 4.7 SO4 61 55 47 44 38 43 40 49 46 56 69 62 HCO ——— — — ——— — —— — HCO3 171 156 154 128 104 145 120 138 125 167 180 171 BOD 3.9 3.7 3.5 3.8 3.3 3.4 3.1 3.6 3.2 3.5 3.8 3.4 DO 5.0 4.8 4.9 4.8 4.7 4.8 4.6 4.9 4.8 4.7 5.0 4.9

The Nara Desert Wetland Complex (NDWC) encompasses sandy dunes, steep hills and includes low lying flat zones associated with different natural wetlands formed from the seepage of Nara Canal. These different wetlands are the major perennial source of water for the agricultural lands, local communities, wildlife and grazing livestock. NDWC comprises more than 225 seasonal and permanent, small, medium and large-sized lakes/wetlands. The total area of Nara

measured in November and July, respectively (Tables 4, 10).

4. Discussion and conclusion

Parameters Months

Table 12. Physicochemical analysis of water sample of station 9. Saedo Pattan Lake.

highest and lowest values (71.6 and 2.0 mg/L) for alkalinity were measured in November and September, respectively (Tables 8, 11). The highest and lowest values (3418 and 22 mg/L) for Cl were measured in March and May, respectively (Tables 7, 13). The highest and lowest values (1231 and 21 mg/L) for Na were measured in November and May, respectively (Tables 10, 13).


Table 13. Analysis of physicochemical parameters of water sample for station 10. Nara Canal Chundiko.

The highest and lowest values (182 and 3 m/L) for K were measured in January and July, respectively (Tables 7, 13). The highest and lowest values (2980 and 38 mg/L) for SO4 were measured in November and May, respectively (Tables 7, 13). The highest and lowest values (3580 and 0.5 mg/L) for HCO3 were measured in November and July (Tables 8, 11) while the value of 0 for HCO was measured in all the months of the study period (Tables 4–13). The highest and lowest values (4.6 and 2.7 mg/L) for BOD were measured in January and July, respectively (Tables 9, 10). The highest and lowest values (6.1 and 3.7 mg/L) for DO were measured in November and July, respectively (Tables 4, 10).
