A quantitative study of attached algae on two substrates (natural and artificial) in a lotic ecosystem

摘要

The attached algae have a big role in lotic ecosystems. This study conducted to explain the different quantity of theattached algae on different substrates. Two macrophytes were selected as a natural substrate (Certophyllum demersum andHydrilla verticillata) and artificial substrates and sampling taken monthly, from March 2013 to December 2013 from Tigrisriver within Al-Jadria campus of the University of Baghdad in the center of Baghdad city. Four biodiversity indices(Shannon-Weaver, richness, evenness and similarity) were calculated. The study showed a variation in the total number ofattached algae on different substrates. The higher number of total algae was recorded on artificial substrates (26.68x104individual/g WW) which represented as 44%. While the lowest number of benthic algae (8.76 x104 individual/g WW) wason H. verticllata and expressed as 23%. Also, different index values recorded on various substrates.