Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

DISTRIBUTION OF MACROPHYTES AND PHYTOSOCIOLOGY OF HYDRILLA VERTICILIATA CASP. AND LEMNA MINOR LINN. IN LOTIC AND LENTIC AQUATIC ECOSYSTMES

B. P. Mishra and B.D.Tripathi

Abstract

A total of 12 species were recorded from different study sites and the species richness was maximum at control site (unpolluted) of river Ganga. Distribution of aquatic macrophytes at different sites revealed that A. natans, H. verticillata, L. minor and N. graminea were the pollution tolerant species. A. pinnata, C. demersum, Chara zeylanica I. aquatica and P. stratiotes were sensitive to the pollution. Values of similarity index varied from 30.8 to 90.9%. High values were obtained between the unplluted and between the polluted sites. Low similarity index was calculated between the unpolluted and polluted sites. Phytosociological attributes such as frequency, density and standing crop biomass of H. verticillala and L. minor were normally higher in lentic water bodies (pond water). H. verticillata contributed greater biomass than L. minor at most of the sites in general and at polluted sites in particular.