Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

PHENOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF AQUATIC MACROPHYTES IN RELATION TO ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

Upen Deka and Tapan Dutta

Abstract

Phenology of the aquatic macrophytes is the study of the timing of recurrent biological events, the causes of their timing with regard to the biotic factors, and the interrelation among phases of the same or different species. The present study involves monitoring the phenological characteristics of aquatic macrophytes of Deepor beel during 2014 to 2016, i.e for a period of two years. Results showed that phenology of most of the aquatic macrophytes were found to be influenced by physicochemical properties of water as well as light availability and water temperature. The variation of phenophages of the aquatic macrophytes is mainly due to the changing prevailing rainfall pattern and temperature and the changes in the growth phages of the aquatic macrophytes. Their distribution and abundance cause a strong ecological impact on the structure and function of aquatic ecosystems globally.