The Study of Diversity, Abundance and Biomass of Benthos in Gomishan Wetland in Golestan Province

Benthos communities play an important role in the food chain wetlands ecosystem, and the study of the communities are suitable criteria for assessing the ecological status of an aquatic ecosystem. In this study, the identification, abundance and biomass of Gomishan wetland benthos monthly was studied at three stations in autumn 2010 (from October to end of November). Sampling at each station (with triplicates) done by Van Veen Grab sampler and fixed with a ratio of 4% formalin and transported to the laboratory for later testing. During this study, four families Chironomidae, Neritidae, Planorbidae and Pyrgulidae were identified. The results of the study of the abundance and biomass of benthos at different Stations showed that Pyrgulidae family than other families had the highest abundance and biomass. Benthos of Planorbidae family was not observed At Station 2 at throughout the sampling month and station 1 at November. The results indicate that about 55% of the benthos abundance or dominance belongs to the Pyrgulidae family in Gomishan wetland.