Dynamics of Phytoplankton and Their Correlation with Physicochemical Characteristics in Gulur Wetland, Tumakuru District, Karnataka, India

An investigation on quantitative distribution, seasonal dynamics, phytoplankton species composition and physico-chemical characteristics of water was carried out in Gulur wetland from June 2011 to June 2013. It is found that, there is considerable variation in phytoplankton species and distinct seasonal variation. Present study recorded a total of 66 species under 37 genera belonging to five different classes. Algal composition was dominated by Diatoms (41.67%) followed by blue-greens(27.78%), chlorococcales(13.89%), euglenoids(8.33%) and desmids(8.33%). Physico-chemical factors like air and water temperature, pH, potassium, sulphate, silica, nitrate and nitrogen have direct bearing on density, diversity and periodicity of different groups of phytoplanktons and showed significant positive correlation with these groups at 5% level. All the phytoplankton groups recorded their seasonal maxima during pre-monsoon except Chlorococcales as their maximum density is recorded during post-monsoon. Inter-relationship of different physico-chemical parameters and their role with seasonal dynamics of phytoplankton is discussed.