Hydrophyte Diversity in Lentic Water Bodies of Murshidabad, West Bengal

Abstract

Freshwater lentic water bodies have tremendous importance as they contain valuable aqua resources, both flora and fauna. They are also the recharging reservoirs for drinking water, domestic use and provide the infrastructure for pisciculture. Hydrophytes are important components of lentic ecosystem. Aquatic plants provide shelter and breeding place for aquatic animals and maintain the integral balance of ecosystem. They are the primary producers and contribute dissolve oxygen (DO). All organisms, from the microscopic zooplankton to the fish need the oxygen for survival. Dissolved oxygen is one of the limiting factors for fish diversity in aquatic ecosystems. The present investigation is on the hydrophyte diversity in the freshwater lentic water body of Murshidabad, West Bengal. Rivers Bhagirathi and Jalangi and their tributaries flow through this district. Large number small and large freshwater lentic water-bodies are found in this district too. The survey of the composition and distribution of the hydrophytes in freshwater lentic water body of Murshidabad was carried out. A total of 53 species of aquatic plants were identified from different parts of the district. Of these, 41 species are found throughout the district whereas 12 species are restricted in some pockets of the district. The detailed distribution as well as habitat composition with GPS location was studied. The relationship of DO and the biodiversity components was explored.