Phytoplankton Dynamics of Manasbal Lake in Kashmir Himalaya

Abstract

Phytoplankton have been studied with respect to their population growth, species diversity and composition in the Manasbal Lake.The study was carriedout for six months starting from May2005 to October 2005.A total of  56 phytoplankton taxa were recorded, 24 belonged to Bacillariophyceae, 16 Chlorophyceae, 14 Cyanophyceae, and one each to Euglenophyceae & Chrysophyceae.Bacillariophyceae appeard as a dominant group.Abundance of Cyanophyceae & presence of Euglenophyceae  near sewage disposal sites indicated the organic enrichment of these habitats.Both the oligotrophic(e.g., Nitzchia sp.) & eutrophic (e.g.,Synedra sp.)  Forms were recorded in the lake showing moderate levels of pollution.