PJB-2019-885
PERIPHYTON COMMUNITY STRUCTURE AND BIOMASS COMPOSITION IN STREAMS OF DAL CATCHMENT OF KASHMIR HIMALAYAS
Inam Sabha
Abstract
An ecosystem functioning is highly depended upon the biological organization in freshwaters with this attempt a study was conducted on various streams of Dal Catchment of Kashmir Valley for the period of two years (Spring 2016 to Winter 2018). Stream Periphyton individual algal species and overall composition was studied. As well as nutrient enrichment, biomass, chlorophyll estimation was also done to understand the streams structure and function. From analysis total of 100 periphytic algae were identified which belong to Bacillariophyceae being most abumdunt having 78 taxa, followed by Cholorophyceae with 14 taxa and Cyanophyceae with 5 taxa. Euglenophyceae, Ulvophyceae and Xanthophyceae were also present having one taxon each. Site 2 recorded the overall minimum of 47 taxa while Site 12 registered the overall maximum of 59 taxa. Total number of individuals recorded during the study period was 139788 ind/cm2. It ranged from a maximum of 17662 ind/cm2 at Site 1 to minimum of 5682 ind/cm2 at Site 10. The diversity indices don’t show much variation across the sites during the study period. Chlorophyll values obtained in the present study clearly indicated the increased downstream production dynamics with higher values being recorded at site 12 (39 mg/m2) and lower values at site 2 (2.02 mg/m2) and site 7,8,9 and 10 showed (0.0 mg/m2)during winter and autumn months due to intermittent nature of sites throughout the study period. The relative contribution of diatoms in terms of Percent Motile Diatoms showed its maximum proportions at Site 1 (39%) followed by Site 11 (30%). The minimum value for Percent Motile Diatoms was obtained at Site 10 (8%). The pollution tolerance index ranged 1.51 to 2.11 as lowest values were shown by Site 2 and highest by Site 12.
To Cite this article:
Download
