Ecohydrologic Description of Springs in the North Western Ghats, Maharashtra

Abstract

Springs are essential components of the freshwater resources in the North Western Ghats yet they are not well studied and are under threat from ecological degradation. This study surveyed ecology and hydrogeology of five springs. Observations included geology, flora, fauna and impact of human pressures. The goal was to describe the range of ecological conditions to improve baseline understanding. Results show that spring recharge and discharge areas were found to hydrologically connect separate parts of the landscape, sometimes spanning different watersheds. While spring discharge is likely controlled in large part by catchment size and aquifer characteristics, impacts from human pressures may reduce spring discharge or water quality. Reduction in spring discharge may reduce biodiversity, particularly at the spring outlet where natural ponds or wetlands may dry up and destroy freshwater habitat. Grazing, fire, construction, pumping and fuel wood collection were common human pressures effecting nearly all springs. Discussed are refined definitions of a spring shed and recommendations for future assessment, conservation and management efforts.

Sustainability Challenges to Springshed Water Management in India and Bangladesh: A Bird’s Eye View

“…Descriptive statistics were applied on these water quality sample tests. For the bacteriological sample collection method, (i) prewashed bottles made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) were first rinsed with sampling water, (ii) sample bottles were carefully opened to fill to 3 4 capacity without touching the inside of the bottle and closed by turning the top over twice (without touching the opening), (iii) the sample was inserted into a cool box to maintain a temperature of 4 • C, and finally, (iv) transported back to the lab for analysis within 6 h. The water quality parameters and corresponding lab analysis methods that followed are presented in Table 2.…”

“…They meet both the domestic and agricultural demands of rural and urban communities [1], and often have cultural and religious significance [2]. However, mountain springs are increasingly facing such problems as perennial flows turning seasonal, drying up, or discharge reduction [3][4][5][6]. The main factors contributing to the drying up of springs are climate change, land use and land cover changes, unplanned infrastructure development, and other socioeconomic transformations, including urbanisation and tourism [7].…”