Influence of environmental parameters on abundance and diversity of phytoplankton in Pichavaram mangroves, southeast coast of India

Abstract

During the study period, 62 species belonging to three taxa namely diatoms, dinoflagellates, and blue green algae were recorded. Of these three, diatoms were found to be the dominant group with 47 species; dinoflagellates formed next dominant group with 9 species and blue greens came last in the order with 6 species in all the stations. Population density of phytoplankton ranged between 2,350 and 32, 405 Cells/l were identified in Pichavaram mangrove region. Phytoplankton community was analyzed by Univariate and Multivariate statistical techniques. Results of CCA analysis suggested that the environmental parameters such as temperature, salinity, and a few nutrients are the key variables in determining the abundance and diversity of phytoplankton community.