Eco-physiological investigations involving phytoplanktons for monitoring phyto-diversity in the Chilika lake ecosystem of East Coast of India

Principal Investigator: Prof. Prasanta K. Behra, Dept. of Botany, Berhampur University,

                                       Berhampur, Orissa, India

Sanctioned cost:           INR 657984

Man Power:                  1 research Fellow, 2 Technical Asst.

Tenure:                         2 year

Objective:

1. Ecological methods and techniques followed to obtain data on a few selected plant  species in relation to southern and central ecological divisions of the lake

2. To investigate the eco-physiological adaptation of some plant species to the lake ecosystem as characteristics of bioindicator use 

Findings:

Eco-physiological  investigations on salinity tolerance in Potamogeton pectinatus, Najas  foveolata, Hydrilla verticillata ,and  Lemna minor were reported for a large statistical and scientific data base.

BENEFITS:

The results are useful  for understanding physiological and ecological amplitude values of aquatic plants at various seasons of lake Chilika. Use of pigment content and  Peroxidase enzyme activities for mapping and monitoring the lake ecosystem is beneficial in the ability to utilize the bioresources of Chilika lake sustainabily. To tap great industrial potential of the lake, establishment of  Ecotech industries for bio-enzyme and pigment production will benefit immensely.