The effect of water and sediment parameters on the biological value index of benthic invertebrates in Chaghakhor International Wetland

Biological indicators play a pivotal role in enhancing our comprehension of the ecological status and health of wetland ecosystems. This study investigated the ecological status of Chaghakhor International Wetland utilizing the biological value index Z at 10 water and sediment sampling sites. The Z index results revealed a Beta-mesosaproby status (Z = 2.30 ± 0.03) with moderate pollution. The findings from the artificial neural network model, displaying a determination coefficient of 0.943, indicated that elevated levels of parameters such as sediment electrical conductivity (553.97 ± 18.43), chemical oxygen demand (15.18 ± 0.44), biological oxygen demand (8.23 ± 0.52), and total dissolved solids (173.66 ± 7.63) in water significantly influenced changes in the biodiversity index Z. Human activities surrounding the wetland, particularly the expansion of agricultural lands, appear to have exerted a substantial impact on the present conditions. Consequently, improving agricultural land management, specifically through agricultural system reform, and preventing agricultural runoff from infiltrating the wetland environment are indispensable strategies for ecosystem preservation. Additionally, continuous monitoring of benthic communities in Chaghakhor Wetland and assessment of seasonal variations are crucial for formulating necessary conservation programs.