1Abbator Ahmed, and 2Musa Adamu Ibrahim
1Department of Botany, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Borno state, Nigeria
2Department of Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Borno state, Nigeria
*Corresponding author’s Email: abbatorahmed@gmail.com, doi.org/10.55639/607.201918
ABSTRACT
Phytoplankton provides the fundamental stage in energy flow through primary production in aquatic ecosystems. Season and physicochemical parameters play a significant role in their distribution and abundance. This study determined the relationship between phytoplankton diversity and Spatio-temporal changes in physicochemical parameters of Lake Alau, Maiduguri, Nigeria. Samples were collected for 12 months (dry and wet seasons) at some stations. A total of 40 species belonging to 6 taxa were identified. Chlorophyceae was the dominant taxa for both seasons. Nitrate nitrogen and phosphate-phosphorous limit the growth of phytoplankton in the reservoir. Effects of season on phytoplankton composition and abundance of each station varied with months. Phytoplankton abundance and distribution show three phases, separated by a shift in nutrient concentration, physicochemical factors, and season. The abundance of phytoplankton in the lake depends on nutrient availability. They were within the ranges of allowable limits recommended by regulatory agencies on water bodies.
Keywords:
Phytoplankton,
Freshwater,
Diversity,
Water quality,
Abundance