Associative dependence among plankton and macrophytes as pollution markers at tropical lentic environ, Gujarat, India

The present research was undertaken at three sampling stations of Gomti catchment, Central Gujarat, India, to study dominance, interaction, and interdependence among biotic components (phytoplankton, zooplankton and aquatic macrophytes). The phytoplankton population was represented by 39 genera and 48 species belongs to family Bacillariophyceae (21 species), followed by Cyanophyceae (7), Cholorophyceae (18), and Euglenophyceae (2). In total, seven classes of zooplankton were represented by 36 genera and 39 species. Zooplankton dominance was reflected by class Ciliophora (16 species), followed by Zooflagellata, Rhizopoda and Rotifera (6 each), and Cladocera (3),and least by Copepoda and Ostracoda (1 species each). Of 16 species of aquatic macrophytes, 3 (18.75%) were abundant, 4 (25%) common, and 9 (56.25%) were rare. The indices (Palmer, Nygaard’s, and Macrophyte index) were determined to delineate the interdependent relationship among studied biotic components. Strong association was observed between Chlorophyceae and Bacillariophyceae, Ostracods and Ciliophorans, and Cladocerans and Bacillariophyceans. The detailed results of indices and interdependent associations among biotic components are discussed. The information provided herewith makes an insight for better understanding of the environmental aspects to be addressed effectively for the better protection, conservation, and management of Gomti reservoir, Gujarat, India. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ije.v3i2.10528 International Journal of the Environment Vol.3(2) 2014: 175-191