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A study of monthly variation in biomass and primary productivity of macrophyte of Hardia wetland of Saran District of North Bihar, India

Chitralekha Sinha*
P.G. Department of Zoology, J.P. University, Chapra, Bihar, India
Received : 21st December, 2020 ; Revised : 10th January, 2021

Abstract : The wetland has profuse growth of macrophyte Potamogeton sp., Polygonum sp., Nelumbo sp. were observed as floating and among submerged Chara sp., Nitella sp., Ceratophyllum sp. were dominant. Macrophyte form an important component of wetland ecosystem as it increases the surface area for food and shelter to invertebrates, fishes and birds. The macrophytes are considered as producer of water bodies as they receive radiant energy in the form of food upon which all aquatic life depends. So it helps in stabilizing the ecosystem. They contributed to the major chunks of biomass production of the wetland. Hydrilla sp. was the most dominant among submerged weeds. It was present almost throughout the year. During the first year of study the dry biomass of Hydrilla sp. ranged from 24 g/m2in Aug’12 to 172 g/m2 in March’12. The intensity of light available to macrophytes per unit area is greater in the tropical water and its physico-chemical characteristics are vital factors besides temperature for the growth of macrophytes. In the present study low pH has been found for favourable growth of macrophytes. A fall in N, P, K, Ca and Mg in the water during growing period relates to increase in macrophytic biomass.

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