Assessment of Aquatic Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health through the Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index

Urban aquatic ecosystems are essential reservoirs of biodiversity that provide critical ecological services in increasingly developed landscapes. This article reviews the ecological health of the Shahjangi and Bhairwa ponds in Bhagalpur, Bihar, utilizing the Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index (H') as a primary metric for assessing phytoplankton community structure. By synthesizing data from a 15-month study conducted between 2021 and 2022, this review correlates eighteen physicochemical parameters—including temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen—with biological productivity. The analysis confirms that while these ponds are highly productive and suitable for aquaculture, they face significant stress from organic loading. The results underscore the necessity of strategic conservation to prevent further eutrophication and maintain the biological integrity of urban lentic systems.