Abstract
A Checklist of Phytoplanktonic Algae of Nyamuhinga Stream in Lake Kivu Basin (Eastern DR Congo)
Highlights
Phytoplanktons are microscopic organisms that are suspended in water
This study aims to investigate the phytoplankton algae community of Nyamuhinga stream and document a checklist of encountered species for environmental biological monitoring
The pennate diatoms (60 species) of Nyamuhinga stream were more in number than the centric diatoms (7 species) attributed to the numerous pennate forms recorded to the effect of tidal mixing that probably scours up the phytobenthic forms into the plankton of Lake Kivu affluents
Summary
Phytoplanktons are microscopic organisms that are suspended in water. They constitute the bedrock or basis of grazing food chains and food webs in surface water systems (UNEP, 1998; SPDC, 2001; Herring, 2005). Phytoplankton, as primary producers, forms the vital energy source at the first trophic tier As they serve as food to many aquatic animals, they have an important role in the material circulation in aquatic ecosystems by controlling the growth, reproductive capacity and population characteristics of aquatic biota. Their standing crops exhibit variations that depend on several factors, including: (i) the supply of major nutrients (mainly phosphorus and nitrogen); (ii) light availability; (iii) grazing by zooplankton; (iv) water mixing regimes; and (v) basin morphology (Reynolds et al, 2001; Gurung et al, 2006)
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