Biomonitoring of freshwater lentic habitats using desmids

Abstract

Freshwater ponds besides being a source of potable water, also serve as a habitat for a range of aquatic organisms. The quality of the pond water is dependent on several interrelated parameters like physical, chemical and biological factors which render the water source either fit or unfit for consumption. In this communication, we have discussed the utilization of the desmids flora in assessing the water quality by comparing diversity indices with physical and chemical parameters of the habitat. Further, based on the Shannon–Wiener diversity index, the sites were classified as oligotrophic, mesotrophic and eutrophic. About 46 species of desmids were studied from five study sites, out of which seven are new records to India. The genera with the largest number of species were Cosmarium, Micrasterias, Closterium and Staurastrum with 12, 6, 5, and 4 species, respectively. Further, statistical analysis reveals that Netrium digitus, Closterium acerosum, C. setaceum, Cosmarium circulare, and C. quadrum var minus could be utilized as indicator species of the eutrophic lentic ecosystems. The results justify that the analysis of the desmid species richness and dominance in the aquatic habitats could aid as a potential biomonitoring tool for the conservation of the freshwater habitats.