VALUATING THE ROLE OF PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PARAMETERS ON PLANKTON POPULATION BY APPLICATION OF CLUSTER ANALYSIS

摘要

Eight major perennial wetlands from Mysore district were studied to evaluate the role of physico-chemical parameters on the plankton growth, abundance and distribution. These wetlands are a major source for irrigation and fish farming. However, they have been indiscriminately polluted either by domestic sewage or farm run off, which is causing sudden changes in these ecosystems resulting into undesirable impacts on fish and other aquatic animals. Further, the application of correlation matrix and cluster analysis has exposed the deciding factors, which determine the plankton population in these water bodies. This information becomes the baseline information which is essential in better ecological understanding of these aquatic systems and preserve their rich biodiversity. Most significant observation was that chlorides, nitrites and phosphates together exercise much influence on the growth of Euglenophyceae and Zooplankton. Phosphates also have a noticeable bearing on the growth and distribution of Cyanophyceae, Euglenophyceae and Zooplankton. Cluster analysis and dendrogram obtained indicate more than 90% similarity between bicarbonates and Chlorococcales.