Biomonitoring of Bedog River Water Quality Using Dragonfly Diversity as Bioindicators in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

The quantity of contaminants being released into rivers is rising in direct correlation with the growth of the human population. Bedog River is a tributary located in the vicinity of Mount Merapi. This river flows through agricultural, residential, and cattle sectors, making it easier to detect river contamination. The objective of this study is to evaluate the water quality of the Bedog River. The research employs a methodology that evaluates water quality by considering biological indicators, specifically the existence of dragonfly species, with the analysis of other chemical and physical properties in river water. The water quality research findings indicate that the physical and chemical characteristics remain satisfactory, with the water falling into the moderately polluted category. It also meets the water quality criteria outlined in PPRI No. 82 of 2001, specifically the class 2 threshold. A total of 23 Odonata species were identified. The upstream section, as indicated by the presence of Neurobasis chinensis florida and Heliocypha fenestrata, which are endemic, along with Macrogomphus parallelogramma, which is rare, is considered an optimal habitat capable of supporting sensitive dragonfly species. The dragonfly variety index in the Bedog River is relatively high, with values of 2.08, 2.79, and 1.47 for the upstream, middle, and downstream sections, respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient indicates a strong positive correlation of 0.961, while the significance level of 0.179 suggests a statistically meaningful association. The findings highlight the potential of using dragonflies as bioindicators for long-term monitoring of river health and pollution levels. This study contributes to the understanding of how water quality impacts biodiversity and provides a basis for future research and river management practices. This research fills a gap by integrating biological indicators with traditional water quality assessments in a specific regional context. It provides new insights into the relationship between water quality and dragonfly diversity, offering valuable information for environmental monitoring and conservation efforts.