Ecology, Distribution and Diversity of Phytoplankton of Teetha Wetland in Tumakuru District, Karnataka, India

Abstract

In the present experiment, phytoplankton belonging to 41 species under 23 genera was observed from Teetha wetland ecosystem during the period of investigation from June 2011 to May 2013. Results revealed that, Bacillariophyceae was found to be the dominant group of phytoplankton (39.13 %) followed by Chlorococcales and Cyanophyceae each with (21.74%), desmids (13.04%) and Euglenoids (4.35%). Teetha Lake is found to be rich in phytoplankton diversity and hence productive. Summer period marked an increase in phytoplankton density. Physicochemical factors like Temperature, pH, Sulphate, Potassium, Nitrate nitrogen, Ammonical nitrogen and Silica were found to be the important factors influencing the growth of phytoplankton and they exhibited significant positive correlation with total phytoplankton. Based on Nygaard’s trophic state indices the wetland is said to be oligotrophic. Inter-relationship of various physicochemical factors and their role with seasonal dynamics of phytoplankton is here by discussed.

Keywords: Correlation, diversity, physicochemical factors, phytoplankton, wetland.