ALGAL DIVERSITY OF RIVER MEENACHIL IN KERALA, INDIA

Dr Smitha Sebastian

Volume : VI, Issue : III, March - 2016

ALGAL DIVERSITY OF RIVER MEENACHIL IN KERALA, INDIA

Dr Smitha Sebastian

Abstract :

 T River Meenachil is one of the important river in Kottayam district which emerges from Western Ghats with a total length of 78 km and has a catchment area of 1272sq.km with a myriad of ecological, anthropological and biodiversity whereabouts. However, the algal diversity in the river is an unexplored area and hence the present study. The present study is an attempt to record the algal diversity among selected sites during the pre–monsoon and monsoon period during 2014. The specimens were preserved at the site itself and ought to the laboratory and observed under microscope for identification. A total of 16 algal genera were observed in the study. Interestingly, the phytoplankton was more abundant in the pre– monsoon when compared with  the monsoon period. As the river host diverse algal species more conservation efforts with involvement of local people are the need of the hour.