Evaluation of ecosystem health of Bazangan wetland (Mashhad-Iran) via qualitative, biological and biodiversity indices

The study was aimed to evaluate simultaneously the qualitative indices derived from the measurement of physicochemical parameters of water, as well as biological and demographic indices of the Bazangan wetland. Regarding to the high organic contamination from sediment amount and the stressful conditions of environment in this area, the highest relative frequency of macrobenthos was belonged to Chironomidae and Ephydridae families (resistant families to pollution) and the sensitive families to contamination (EPTs) were absent. The results of studying grading analysis and the total organic matter content in the sediments of samples stations during warm and cold seasons showed the texture  of loam-silty, clay-sandy-loam and loam-clay. The maximum amount of organic matter (18.54%) in winter and the lowest amount of organic matter (4.65%) in spring was recorded in the stations. Finally, regarding the high correlation between biological and demographic indices and qualitative index with other indices, the parameters are more suitable indices to evaluate the ecosystem health of Bazangan wetland.