Diversity and Spacio-temporal Abundance of Phytoplankton in Vanivilas Sagar Reservoir, Chitradurga, Karnataka

Abstract: The diversity and sectoral abundance of four selected phytoplankton groups have been studied in Vanivilas Sagar Reservoir. Altogether 46 species of phytoplankton were recorded during the study period. The Cyanophyceae are represented by 8 genera, Chlorophyceae by 17 genera, Bacillariophyceae by 11 genera, and Euglenophyceae by 2 genera. The sectoral distribution of total phytoplankton indicated their highest distribution at sector I (35.57%) followed by sector II (34.52%) and sector III (29.90%). Spacio-temporal abundance indicates all the four groups of phytoplankton recorded their peak abundance during the pre-monsoon period in all three sectors.

Keywords: Vanivilas Sagar Reservoir, Phytoplankton, Diversity, Abundance