Phytoplankton Abundance and Species Diversity in Ranjit Sagar Wetland, Punjab (India)

Abstract

Species diversity, dominance and abundance of the phytoplankton community of the Ranjit Sager Wetland were studied during June, 2012 to May, 2014 on monthly basis. The main aim was to provide information about overall phytoplankton diversity of this wetland. Phytoplankton samples were collected using phytoplankton net and preserved in 5% formaldehyde solution on the spot, then brought to the laboratory for further analysis. Algae belonging to Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyceae and Bacillariophyceae were recorded. The Bacillariophyceae was the most dominant group followed by the Chlorophyceae and Cyanophyceae. A total of 26 genera were recorded, 12 were belonged to Bacillariophyceae, 11 to Chlorophyceae and 3 to Cyanophyceae. The different types of indices such as Margalef's index, Simpson index, Shannon-Weaver index and species evenness index were employed to analysis the data. Phytoplankton converts light energy to chemical energy by the process of photosynthesis so they act as primary producers and food for variety of aquatic organisms. Phytoplankton are also act as efficient bio-indicators to measure quality of water.

New records of desmids from Ropar wetland (a Ramsar Site) of Punjab, India

“…In this study, taxonomic position of observed desmid species was investigated on the basis of their phenotypic features and their distribution in India was also determined, the detailed limnological study has not been carried out during this work. A total of 21 taxa of desmids have been recorded during present investigation, earlier only three genera like Closterium, Cosmarium and Penium were reported only at genus level from Punjab (44,45,54). Thus, all the desmid taxa reported during this study are the first report from Ropar Wetland as well as from Punjab.…”

“…In India, many studies have been reported from different parts, like from Dehradun (28), Ladakh (29,30), Uttar Pradesh (31), Karnataka (32,33), Maharashtra (12,14,(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39), Western Himalayas (40), Himachal Pradesh (41), Eastern Himalaya (42), West Bengal (43) etc. Although, algal diversity from different water bodies of Punjab has been explored by various workers (44)(45)(46)(47)(48)(49) but, according to available literature, detailed taxonomic studies on desmids are not been carried out till date leading to a gap in knowledge about the diversity of this important group of algae. Keeping this situation in mind, present study was undertaken to explore the desmids flora from Ropar Wetland of Punjab for the first time.…”

Changes in the structure of the phytoplankton community in a Nile tilapia fishpond

“…As a consequence of blooms, fish mortality and a decrease in fish productive performance and profitability might occur (Mercante et al, 2007;Boyd, 2016). On the other hand, phytoplankton is of fundamental importance for the maintenance of water quality for fish culture, because it interferes directly in the production and dynamics of gases in the fishpond through photosynthesis and respiration processes (Mercante et al, 2011;Brraich & Saini, 2015). It is also a secondary food source for the main fish species produced in Brazil, such as tilapia (Beyruth et al, 2004;Turker et al, 2003a, b;FAO, 2016).…”

Phytoplankton community in aquaculture and non-aquaculture sites of Taal Lake, Batangas, Philippines

“…In aquaculture, phytoplankton contributes to primary productivity that helps in maintaining fisheries (Brraich & Saini, 2015). Phytoplankton serve as food of zooplanktons which are usually being fed to fish larvae reared in fish hatcheries (Moncheva & Parr, 2010;Diwowo, 2013).…”

“…Its presence often controls the growth, reproduction capacity, and population characteristics of other organisms (Ariyadej et al, 2008). It is also an important biological indicator of the water quality (Edward & Ugwumba, 2010;Brraich & Saini, 2015).…”