Studies on Water Quality and Macrophyte Composition in Dal Lake of Kashmir J&K

The accelerated sedimentation, settling of plant biomass and siltation have rendered lake basins shallow and continuous dry summers have resulted in low water level and high summer temperatures. All these factors have been responsible for high macrophyte vegetation in the lake which not only looks unaesthetic but create many hindrances. Vegetation stands have become mono - species, biomass per unit area has increased appreciably and the carbon dioxide content in water has decreased in response to vigorous photosynthesis. The amount of organicproduction by macrophytes in Dal Lake has been calculated for the entire year taking into consideration the extent of growing period. For this purpose various species have been considered under their respective life - forms. The area has been calculated for each life form separately. The data show that more than 41 thousand tons of organic matter is added to the lake each year by macrophytes which add to the sediment pool and also result in sedimentation.