Density and Diversity of Zooplankton in Ashtamudi estuary of Kerala, India

Abstract

Abstract

The Thekkumbhagam creek of Ashtamudi estuary is facing the problem of degradation due to increasing eco-tourism ,domestic wastes  industrial effluents, organic  and  agricultural wastes. The purpose of this work was to  document the seasonal availability of the zooplankton population encountered in this creek during a study period of two years.The plankton samples were collected from selected four stations of the creek and were analysed following standard methods.The present analysis revealed that the Cladocerans exhibited the highest mean value during the monsoon period in station 1. Copepods attained its peak in station 1 during the pre-monsoon period. Station 3 exhibited the Rotifer peak during post monsoon period. Station 4 was dominated by Crustacean larvae during the pre- monsoon period. Protozoa exhibited its highest mean value during the post-monsoon period. Molluscs reached its maximum value during pre-monsoon period in station 4. Station  2  recorded  the  maximum  mean  value  of  Ostracods  during  pre-monsoon period.The evaluation of the dynamics of zooplankton population with remarkable seasonal variations is an effective and appropriate method of estimating the fishery potential   of an area .So,  there  is  an  urgent  need  of  first  educating  the  people  of  the importance of the estuary than the laws could be effectively implemented.