INFLUENCE OF SEASONAL FACTORS ON ECOLOGICAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT OF SEDIMENT HABITAT IN THE BA LAI RIVER USING FREE LIVING NEMATODES

Abstract

Seasonal factors are considered influencing the ecological research of nematode communities when applied to ecological health assessment. This study was carried out with the aim of applying free-living nematodes in the ecological health assessment of the Ba Lai River, Ben Tre Province in the rainy season in 2019 and the dry season in 2020. In total of 97 genera, 47 families of 11 orders in the rainy season and  91 genera, 43 families of 10 orders in the dry season, all of them belong to 2 classes Chromadorea and Enoplia were recorded. Evaluating the ecological health based on the cp value and the Maturity Index of nematode communities. The results showed that most of the survey stations had a signal of disturbance. The ecological health of the Ba Lai River was different and varied by season. Therefore, seasonal factors are recommended to consider to use since applying free living nematodes for assessment of ecological health in the Ba Lai river.