Shailendra Kumara* & Vijay Kumarb
aUniversity Department of Zoology, B.R.A. Bihar University, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India
bDepartment of Zoology, R.N. College, Hajipur, Vaishali, Bihar, India
Received : 05th December, 2024 ; Revised : 10th January, 2025
DOI:-https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15978382
Abstract– Water is one of the most vital components of the environment, serving as a fundamental medium for sustaining aquatic life. Among freshwater ecosystems, ponds and lakes represent highly productive systems that play a significant role in ecological balance and offer valuable ecosystem services such as irrigation, drinking water supply, and habitat for aquatic organisms. The present study focuses on assessing the primary productivity of Rani Pokhar, a freshwater pond located near Belkunda Chowk in Vaishali district, Bihar. The study was conducted over a six-month period from July to December 2023 to understand the seasonal dynamics of gross primary productivity (GPP), net primary productivity (NPP), and community respiratory rate (RR). Using the classical light and dark bottle method, monthly water samples were collected and analyzed for carbon fixation as an indicator of phytoplanktonic activity and overall ecological health. The results revealed distinct monthly variations in productivity, with GPP ranging from 1.72 to 2.10 mgC/L/hr, NPP from 0.90 to 1.50 mgC/L/hr, and RR from 0.60 to 0.84 mgC/L/hr, indicating that the highest productivity occurred during the post-monsoon months, particularly in September and November. These variations are closely linked to environmental parameters such as nutrient availability, temperature, and light penetration. The findings suggest that Rani Pokhar exhibits a moderate to high level of biological productivity, making it ecologically significant for supporting aquatic life and potentially vulnerable to pollution and eutrophication. This study provides baseline data that can be instrumental for future conservation efforts, water quality monitoring, and sustainable management of the pond ecosystem.
Keywords: Rani Pokhar, Gross Primary Productivity, Net Primary Productivity, phytoplanktonic activity
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