Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

IMPACT OF CONSERVATION MEASURES ON ZOOPLANKTON COMPOSITION OF ATTIVERI RESERVOIR (UTTAR KANNADA DIST, KARNATAKA STATE, INDIA)

Vijaykumar A. Kudari , Girish G Kadadevaru and Ravishankar D. Kanamadi

Abstract

Zooplankton composition of Attiveri reservoir (a bird sanctuary, Uttar Kannada district, Karnataka) in has been studied in April, 2012. The data of the current study was compared with the earlier reports, i.e.prior to protective measures. A total of 12 species of zooplankton were recorded in the present investigation, of which 5 copepoda, 3 rotifera, 3 ostracoda and a cladocera. The similarity indices indicate that significant changes have occurred in the composition of rotifers and cladocers. There was no significant change in the compostion of copepoda and ostracoda. Based on the Q B/T value, i.e.1 indicating that the reservoir was in mesotrophic condition. The absence of pollution tolerant species viz., Bosminopsisdietersi, Brachionus falcatus, B. caudatus, B. quadridentatus andB. bidentata indirectly denote that the reservoir is progressing towards oligotrophic. The present study suggests that the conservative measures which were taken to protect the avian fauna were transformed a hyper-eutrophic reservoir into mesotrophic status. The prolongation of these holistic approaches in future helps the reservoir to attain oligotrophic state, which will help in sustainable development of the reservoir as bird sanctuary to protect the local and migratory birds.