Phytoplankton Diversity of a Subtropical Reservoir of Meghalaya State of Northeast India

Year 2021, Volume: 36 Issue: 2, 51 - 65, 25.01.2021

Bhushan Kumar Sharma Sumita Sharma

https://doi.org/10.26650/ASE2020740218

Abstract

The littoral and limnetic phytoplankton of ‘soft and de-mineralized water’ in the Nongmahir reser-voir of Meghalaya state of northeast India (NEI) reveal a fairly diverse assemblage of a total of 52 species, depict a higher richness of Chlorophyta and desmids, and record a speciose constellation of 51 species per sample. Phytoplankton form a dominant quantitative component of net plankton and indicate the differential spatial dominance of important groups. Bacillariophyta > Chlorophyta indicate dominance in the littoral region and Chlorophyta records dominance in the limnetic re-gion. Staurastrum spp. > Cosmarium spp. are important in the two regions. Seventeen ‘specialist’ species collectively contribute to phytoplankton abundance in the littoral (87.9±6.9%) and limnetic (91.6±3.3%) regions and the rest depict a ‘generalist’ nature. Phytoplankton records moderate species diversity and variations of dominance and evenness. The spatial monthly variations of com-position, richness, similarities, abundance, diversity indices and influence of individual abiotic fac-tors are hypothesised to differences in habitat heterogeneity amongst the two regions. The CCA registers 78.36 and 78.95% cumulative influence of 10 abiotic factors on the littoral and limnetic phytoplankton assemblages, respectively. Our results highlight distinct temporal variations of di-versity parameters in comparison with the preliminary survey of June 1995–May 1996. This study is an important contribution to phytoplankton diversity of the reservoirs of India and the subtropical reservoirs in particular.

Keywords

calcium poor, soft water, de-mineralized, hydal reservoir, primary producers

Supporting Institution

North-Eastern Hill University

Project Number

-

Thanks

The senior author (BKS) is thankful to the Head, Department of Zoology, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong for laboratory facilities and to various research students for the field work help on several occasions.

References

• Anand, N. (1998). Indian Freshwater Microalgae. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun, 94 p.
• APHA (1992). Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater (18th Ed.). American Public Health Association, Washington D.C. 1198 p.
• Baba, A.I. & Pandit, A.K. (2014). Composition, diversity and population dynamics of phytoplankton at Saderkot in Wular Lake, Kashmir.Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography, 4(1), 142. [CrossRef]
• Bharati, H., Deshmukhe, G., Das, S.K., Kandpal, B.K., Sahoo, L., Bhusan, S. & Singh, Y.J. (2020). Phytoplankton communities in Rudrasagar Lake, Tripura (North-East India) – A Ramsar Site. International Journal of Bio-resource and Stress Management, 11(1), 001-007. [CrossRef]
• Biswas, K. (1949). Common fresh and brackish algal flora of India and Burma. Records Botanical Survey of India, 15(2), 1–169.
• Chandrakiran, Sharma, K.K. & Sharma, R. (2014). Phytoplankton community response to changing physico-chemical environment of a subtropical Lake Mansar, India. International Journal of Biosciences,4(11), 95–103. [CrossRef]
• Deb, S., Saikia, J. & Kalamdhad, A.S. (2019).Ecology of Deepor beel wetland, a Ramsar site of Guwahati, Assam with special reference to algal community. European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 6(2), 232–243.
• Devi, M.B., Gupta, S. & Das, T. (2016). Phytoplankton community of Lake Baskandi anua, Cachar District, Assam, North East India – An ecological study. Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems, 417, 2. [CrossRef]
• Fritter, R. & Manuel R. (1986). Field guide to the Freshwater life of Britain and North-West Europe. William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd, London, 382 p.Ganai, A.H. & Parveen, S. (2014). Effect of physico-chemical conditions on the structure and composition of the phytoplankton community in Wular Lake at Lankrishipora, Kashmir. International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation, 6(1), 71–84. [CrossRef]
• Goswami, M., Das, T., Kumar, S. & Mishra, A.(2018). Impact of physico-chemical parameters on primary productivity of Lake Nainital. Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies, 6(4), 647-652.
• Gupta, S. & Devi S.S. (2014). Ecology of Baskandi anua, an oxbow lake of south Assam, North East India. Journal of Environmental Biology, 35, 1101–1105.
• Gupta, S., Singh, D., Rawat, M.S. & Ahmed, R (2018). Phytoplankton community in relation to physicochemical characteristics of Renuka Lake and Parshuram Tal (H.P.), India. International Journal of Scientific Research and Reviews, 7(3), 769-780.
• Hickel, B. (1973). Limnological investigation in lakes of the Pokhra valley. Internationale Revue der gesamten Hydrobiologie, 58(5), 659–672. [CrossRef]
• Hulyal, S.K. & Kaliwal, B.B. (2009). Dynamics of phytoplankton in relation to physico-chemical factors of Almatti reservoir of Bijapur district, Karnatak state. Environmental Monitoring & Assessment, 153 (1-4), 45–59. [CrossRef]
• Islam, A.K.M.N. & Haroon, A.K.Y. (1980). Desmids of Bangladesh. Internationale Revue gesamten Hydrobiologie, 65(4), 551–604. [CrossRef]
• Jindal, R. & Prajapat, P. (2005). Productivity and trophic status of Renuka wetland (Distt. Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh. Indian Journal of Ecology,32(2), 180–183.
• Jindal, R. & Thakur, R.K. (2014). Hydrobiology and productivity of Kuntbhyog Lake, (District Mandi, Himachal Pradesh), India. International Journal of Environmental Engineering, 6 (4), 449–459. [CrossRef]
• Jindal, R., Thakur, R.K., Singh, U.B. & Ahluwalia, A.S. (2013). Plankton diversity and water quality assessment of three freshwater lakes of Mandi (Himachal Pradesh, India) with special reference to planktonic indicators. Environmental Monitoring & Assessment, 185 (10), 8355–8373. [CrossRef]
• Jindal, R., Thakur, R.K., Singh, U.B. & Ahluwalia, A.S. (2014a). Phytoplankton dynamics and species diversity in a shallow eutrophic, natural mid-altitude lake in Himachal Pradesh (India): role of physicochemical factors. Chemistry and Ecology, 30(4), 328–338. [CrossRef]
• Jindal, R., Thakur, R.K., Singh, U.B. & Ahluwalia, A.S. (2014b). Phytoplankton dynamics and water quality of Prashar Lake, Himachal Pradesh, India. Sustainability of Water Quality and Ecology, 3–4, 101–113. [CrossRef]
• Jeelani, M. & Kaur, H. (2012). Ecological Understanding of Anchar Lake, Kashmir. Bionano Frontier, 5(2), 57–61.
• John, D.M., Whitton, B.A. & Brook, A.J. (2002). The Freshwater Algal Flora of the British Isles: An Identification Guide to Freshwater and Terrestrial Algae. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK.
• Krishnan, K.H., Thomas, S., George, S., Murugan, R.P., Mundayoor, S. & Das, M.R. (1999). A study on the distribution and ecology of phytoplankton in the Kuttanad wetland ecosystem, Kerala. Pollution Research, 18, 261–269.
• Laskar, H.S. & Gupta, S. (2009). Phytoplankton diversity and dynamics of Chatla floodplain lake, Barak valley, Assam, North East India- A seasonal study. Journal of Environmental Biology, 30(9), 1007–1012.
• Ludwig, J.A. & Reynolds J.F. (1988). Statistical ecology: a primer on methods and computing. John Wiley & Sons, New York, 337 p.
• MacArthur, R.H. (1965). Patterns of spices diversity. Biological Reviews, 40, 510–533. [CrossRef]Magurran, A.E. (1988). Ecological diversity and its measurement. Croom Helm Limited, London, 179 p. [CrossRef]
• Masson, C.F. (1998). Biology Freshwater Pollution (3rd Edn). Harlow (Essex), Longman.McNaughton, J. (1967). Relationship among functional properties of California grassland. Nature, 216, 168–169. [CrossRef]
• Nakanishi, M., Watanabe, M.M., Terashima, A., Soko, Y., Konda, T., Shrestha, K., Bhandary, H.R. & Ishida, Y. (1988). Studies on some limnological variables in subtropical lakes of the Pokhara valley, Nepal. Japanese Journal of Limnology, 49, 1–86. [CrossRef]
• Negi R.K. & Rajput, V. (2015). Assessment of phytoplankton diversity in relation to abiotic factors of Nainital Lake of Kumaon Himalayas of Uttarakhand State, India. Asian Journal of Scientific Research, 8(2), 157–164. [CrossRef]
• Nissa, N & Bhat, S.U. (2016).An assessment of phytoplankton in Nigeen Lake of Kashmir Himalaya. Asian Journal of Biological Sciences, 9, 27–30. [CrossRef]
• Payne, A.R. (1986). The ecology of Tropical Lakes and Rivers. John Wiley & Sons, New York.
• Prescott, G.W. (1982). Algae of the Western Great Lakes area, Otto koeltz Science Publishers, W. Germany, 977 p.
• Rawat. M.S. & Sharma, R.C. (2005). Phytoplankton population of Garhwal Himalayan lake Deoria Tal, Uttranchal Journal of Ecophysiology & Occupational health, 5, 73–76.
• Shafi, N., Ahmad, A. & Pandit, A.K. (2013). Phytoplankton Dynamics of Nigeen Lake in Kashmir Himalaya. International Journal of Environment and Bioenergy, 6(1): 13–27.
• Sharma B.K.. (1995). Limnological studies in a small reservoir in Meghalaya (N.E. India). In K.H. Timotius & F. Goltenboth (Eds.). Tropical Limnology,II, 1–11. Satya Wacana University Press, Salatiga, Indonesia.
• Sharma B.K. (2004). Phytoplankton communities of a floodplain lake of the Brahmaputra river basin, Upper Assam. Journal of Inland Fisheries Association, 31, 27–35.
• Sharma B.K. (2009). Phytoplankton communities of Loktak lake (a Ramsar site), Manipur (N. E. India): composition, abundance and ecology. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 1(8), 401–410. [CrossRef]
• Sharma, B.K. (2010). Phytoplankton diversity of two floodplain lakes (pats) of Manipur (N. E. India). Journal of Threatened Taxa, 2(11), 1273–1281. [CrossRef]
• Sharma, B.K. (2012). Phytoplankton diversity of a floodplain lake of the Brahmaputra River basin, Assam, north-east India. Indian Journal of Fisheries, 59(4), 131–139.
• Sharma, B.K. (2015). Phytoplankton diversity of Deepor Beel- a Ramsar site in the floodplain of the Brahmaputra River Basin, Assam, north-east India. Indian Journal of Fisheries, 62(1), 33–40.
• Sharma, B.K. & Bhattarai, S. (2005). Hydro-biological analysis of a peat bog with emphasis on its planktonic diversity and population dynamics in Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary: eastern Bhutan. Limnology, 6, 183–187. [CrossRef]
• Sharma, B.K., & Hatimuria, M.K. (2017). Phytoplankton diversity of floodplain lakes of Majuli River Island, Brahmaputra river basin of Assam, northeast India. International Journal of Aquatic Biology, 5(5), 295–309. [CrossRef]
• Sharma, B.K. & Lyngdoh, R.M. (2003). Abundance and ecology of net and phytoplankton of a subtropical reservoir of Meghalaya (N. E. India). Ecology, Environment & Conservation, 9 (4), 497–503.
• Sharma, B.K. & Lyngskor, C. (2003). Plankton communities of a subtropical reservoir of Meghalaya (N. E. India). Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, 73 (2), 88–95.
• Sharma, B.K. & Pachuau, L. (2016). Diversity of Phytoplankton of a sub-tropical reservoir of Mizoram, northeast India. International Journal of Aquatic Biology, 4(6), 360–369.
• Sharma, B.K. & Sharma, S. (2020). Zooplankton diversity of a subtropical reservoir of Meghalaya, northeast India with remarks on spatial and temporal variations. Opuscula Zoologica Budapest, 50(1), 67–86. [CrossRef]
• Sharma, R.C. & Singh, S. (2018). Water quality and phytoplankton diversity of high altitude wetland, Dodi Tal of Garhwal Himalaya, India. Biodiversity International Journal, 2(6), 484–493. [CrossRef]
• Sharma, R.C. & Tiwari, V. (2018). Phytoplankton diversity in relation to physico-chemical environmental variables of Nachiketa Tal, Garhwal Himalaya. Biodiversity International Journal, 2(2), 128–136. [CrossRef]
• Singh, S. & Sharma, R.C. (2018). Monitoring of algal taxa as bioindicator for assessing the health of the high altitude wetland, Dodi Tal, Garhwal Himalaya, India. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies, 6(3), 128–133. [CrossRef]
• Sharma and Sharma. Phytoplankton Diversity of a Subtropical Reservoir of Meghalaya State of Northeast IndiaSharma, B.K. & Bhattarai, S. (2005). Hydro-biological analysis of a peat bog with emphasis on its planktonic diversity and population dynamics in Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary: eastern Bhutan. Limnology, 6, 183–187. [CrossRef]
• Sharma, B.K., & Hatimuria, M.K. (2017). Phytoplankton diversity of floodplain lakes of Majuli River Island, Brahmaputra river basin of Assam, northeast India. International Journal of Aquatic Biology, 5(5), 295–309. [CrossRef]
• Sharma, B.K. & Lyngdoh, R.M. (2003). Abundance and ecology of net and phytoplankton of a subtropical reservoir of Meghalaya (N. E. India). Ecology, Environment & Conservation, 9 (4), 497–503.
• Sharma, B.K. & Lyngskor, C. (2003). Plankton communities of a subtropical reservoir of Meghalaya (N. E. India). Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, 73 (2), 88–95.
• Sharma, B.K. & Pachuau, L. (2016). Diversity of Phytoplankton of a sub-tropical reservoir of Mizoram, northeast India. International Journal of Aquatic Biology, 4(6), 360–369.
• Sharma, B.K. & Sharma, S. (2020). Zooplankton diversity of a subtropical reservoir of Meghalaya, northeast India with remarks on spatial and temporal variations. Opuscula Zoologica Budapest, 50(1), 67–86. [CrossRef]
• Sharma, R.C. & Singh, S. (2018). Water quality and phytoplankton diversity of high altitude wetland, Dodi Tal of Garhwal Himalaya, India. Biodiversity International Journal, 2(6), 484–493. [CrossRef]
• Sharma, R.C. & Tiwari, V. (2018). Phytoplankton diversity in relation to physico-chemical environmental variables of Nachiketa Tal, Garhwal Himalaya. Biodiversity International Journal, 2(2), 128–136. [CrossRef]
• Singh, S. & Sharma, R.C. (2018). Monitoring of algal taxa as bioindicator for assessing the health of the high altitude wetland, Dodi Tal, Garhwal Himalaya, India. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies, 6(3), 128–133. [CrossRef]
• Talling J.F. & Talling I.B. (1965). The chemical composition of African lake waters. Internationale Revue der gesamten Hydrobiologie, 50, 421–463. [CrossRef]
• Thakur, R.K., Jindal, R., Singh, U.B. & Ahluwalia, A.S. (2013). Plankton diversity and water quality assessment of three freshwater lakes of Mandi (Himachal Pradesh, India) with special reference to planktonic indicators. Environment Monitoring & Assessment, 185 (10), 8355–8373. [CrossRef]
• Washington, H.G. (1984). Diversity, biotic and similarity indices. A review with special relevance to aquatic ecosystems. Water Research, 18, 653–694. [CrossRef]
• Wanganeo, A. & Wanganeo, R. (1991). Algal population in valley lakes of Kashmir Himalayas. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie, 121, 219–223.
• Wilhm, J.L. & Dorris, T.C. (1968). Biological parameters for water quality criteria: Bioscience, 18, 477–481. [CrossRef]
• Woelkerling, W. & Gough, S.B. (1976). Wisconsin Desmids. III. Desmid community composition and distribution in relation to lake type and water chemistry. Hydrobiologia, 51, 3–32. [CrossRef]
• Zutshi, D.P., Subla, B.A., Khan, M.A. & Wanganeo, A. (1980). Comparative limnology of nine lakes of Jammu and Kashmir Himalayas. Hydrobiologia, 72, 101–112. [CrossRef]
• Zutshi, D.P. & Wanganeo A (1984). The phytoplankton and primary productivity of a high altitude subtropical lake. Internationale Vereinigung für Theoretische und Angewandte Limnologie Verhandlungen, 222, 1168–1172. [CrossRef]