Data underlying the publication: Distribution and diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates in the selected Myristica swamps of Kulathupuzha and Shendurney

Myristica swamps, unique tropical freshwater ecosystems of the Western Ghats, are rich in biodiversity and critical habitats for benthic macroinvertebrates. This study assessed their population dynamics, diversity, and ecological indices in Kulathupuzha and Shendurney, focusing on environmental factors such as water and sediment quality, forestry activities, and seasonal variations. Macroinvertebrates were analyzed using PCA, indicator analysis, and correlation analysis to evaluate their relationship with physicochemical parameters like dissolved oxygen, pH, and nutrients. Kulathupuzha exhibited higher macroinvertebrate density (8,438.95 ind/m²) than Shendurney (7,420.36 ind/m²), with pollution-sensitive species like Odonata, Trichoptera, and Plecoptera indicating good water quality. Seasonal variations influenced species abundance, with pre-monsoon showing the highest density (7,703.26 ind/m²). These findings highlight the need for ongoing monitoring to manage environmental impacts and support conservation efforts in these vital ecosystems.Water samples were collected bimonthly from eleven sites during pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon seasons (2021–2023) in sterile bottles and stored at 4°C for analysis. Physicochemical parameters of water and sediment were analyzed using standard methods (Wetzel & Likens, 1991; APHA, 2012). Sediment samples (0–10 cm depth) were collected for parameters like pH, organic carbon, and heavy metal analysis via AAS. Benthic macroinvertebrates were sampled using a standard net, identified to the family level using field guides, and further classified in the lab using stereomicroscopes and taxonomic keys.

肉豆蔻沼泽（Myristica swamps）是西高止山脉（Western Ghats）特有的热带淡水生态系统，拥有极高的生物多样性，是底栖大型无脊椎动物的关键栖息生境。本研究针对库拉图普扎（Kulathupuzha）与申杜尔尼（Shendurney）两地的肉豆蔻沼泽，评估了其底栖大型无脊椎动物的种群动态、物种多样性及生态指数，并重点考察了水环境与沉积物质量、林业活动及季节变化等环境影响因子。研究采用主成分分析（PCA）、指示物种分析及相关性分析，对大型无脊椎动物群落与溶解氧、pH值、营养盐等理化参数之间的关联进行了评估。结果显示，库拉图普扎的大型无脊椎动物密度（8438.95 个/平方米）高于申杜尔尼（7420.36 个/平方米）；蜻蛉目（Odonata）、毛翅目（Trichoptera）与襀翅目（Plecoptera）等对污染敏感的物种，也指示两地水环境质量整体良好。季节变化对物种丰度存在显著影响，其中季前季风期的种群密度最高，达7703.26 个/平方米。本研究结果凸显了持续监测的必要性，以管控环境影响并助力这类关键生态系统的保护工作。
研究于2021-2023年的季前季风、季风及季后季风期，每两月从11个采样点位采集水样：采用无菌瓶收集水样后，于4℃条件下冷藏保存以待分析。水环境与沉积物的理化参数采用标准方法进行分析（Wetzel & Likens, 1991; APHA, 2012）。沉积物样品（0-10cm深度）的采集覆盖pH值、有机碳及重金属等参数，重金属检测采用原子吸收光谱法（AAS）完成。底栖大型无脊椎动物采用标准网具进行采样，先通过野外图鉴鉴定至科级分类单元，随后在实验室借助体视显微镜与分类检索表完成进一步分类鉴定。