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A trophic status of freshwater phytoplankton diversity in wetlands of the Bahawalpur District, Pakistan
Asma Zafar, Khansa Iqbal, Shahzeb Mughal
Abstract:
The study describes the diversity of phytoplankton communities that inhabit River Sutlej, Bahawalpur District, Pakistan. A total of 14 species identified, comprised classes Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Zygnematophyceae and Bacillariophyceae. The most common taxa were Caloneis amphisbaena (18%), then Rhizoclonium sp. (14%), and Amphipleura pellucida (12%), while Gyrosigma sp., Pinnularia sp. and Entomoneis sp. were found in less abundance. The presence of pollution-tolerant and sensitive species shows a moderately eutrophic state of freshwater environment. The dominance of Caloneis and Rhizoclonium shows nutrient enrichment possibly linked to mild salinity and agricultural runoff, whereas Sirogonium and Euastrum indicate microhabitats of moderately good water quality. While in comparison with studies from other areas of Pakistan, reveal a community structure shaped by semi-arid hydrology, fluctuating salinity, and nutrient dynamics. Overall, the phytoplankton community demonstrates the adaptive balance of freshwater organisms under environmental stress. These findings provide valuable baseline information for future ecological monitoring, biodiversity conservation and water quality management in the lower basin of Sutlej and other arid-zone river systems of Pakistan.
Keywords:
Phytoplankton diversity, River Sutlej, Bahawalpur, Bacillariophyceae, Chlorophyceae
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