Unravelling the Changing Algal Composition: ...

Unravelling the Changing Algal Composition: A Comparative Study of Bhitarkanika’s Phycodiversity Pre and Post Monsoon

Author Name : Reshma Rani Dash, Dr. Binata Naik, Dr. Sangeeta Mishra

Bhitarkanika, a pristine mangrove ecosystem in Odisha, India harbors rich algal diversity owing to its unique geographical location and ecological niches. This study aims to unravel the changing algal composition and diversity patterns in Bhitarkanika during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon. Water and sediment samples were collected from five stations during May (pre-monsoon) and October (post-monsoon). A total of 112 algal taxa belonging to Bacillariophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Euglenophyceae, Dinophyceae, Chrysophyceae, Xanthophyceae, Cryptophyceae, and Prasinophyceae were recorded. Bacillariophyceae was the most dominant group. ANOVA results indicated significant seasonal variations in Shannon-Wiener diversity index values. The algal community showed distinct distribution patterns during the seasons attributed to the varying physico-chemical parameters of water bodies. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) biplots delineated the niche segregation of major algal groups along the spatio-temporal gradient. Redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed that temperature, nutrients, pH, salinity, and dissolved oxygen were the prime factors driving the algal community structure. Anthropogenic activities and agriculture runoff during monsoon had discernible impacts on the algal populations. The current findings provide novel insights into the phycodiversity patterns in Bhitarkanika mangroves, which would aid in implementing effective conservation policies for this Ramsar site.